Hello everyone,
I wanted to let you know about why I am having brain surgery. On January 10th of this year, I was in a car accident working my second job and had a CT of my head and neck in the ER to make sure I didn’t have any bleeding going on in my brain and that my neck was okay. The CT revealed some possible masses in my brain, which were later verified after numerous MRIs. The masses/tumors are called choroid plexus papillomas in both the right and left hemispheres of my brain, with additional hydrocephalus (extra cerebral spinal fluid) in my brain as well. The doctor believes they are benign (however, we will not know for sure until the biopsy is reviewed by pathology).
I view the car accident as a gift from God, which revealed what was going on before things got worse. The only symptom I was really experiencing was an almost constant pressure-like headache for several years. I have been able to continue teaching and working my second job, which I am very grateful for.
So, the surgery is set for June 17th at the Mayo in Rochester, MN, and the surgeon is going to try to remove as much of the larger tumor as he can and possibly try to get over to the right side to remove some of the smaller tumor. This may not be possible due to its location. They will also drain the excess cerebral spinal fluid out of my brain, with the hope that the surgery will resolve the issue. If it doesn’t, I may have to have a second surgery to put a permanent shunt in my brain to permanently drain CSF into my body (somewhere…I can’t remember where that is).
This has been a big shock for our family, and we are very thankful to the Lord for His timing in all of this. I feel at peace about it all and have been claiming the verse in the Bible (Philippians 4:7) “And the peace that surpasses all understanding will keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” Life is hard sometimes…and I am learning to lean evermore on the Lord.
I know many of you have been praying, and now many more of you know about what is going on and will pray too. Thank you for lifting me up in prayer. Pray that the surgery goes well and I can eventually get back to teaching again in the Fall.
God is good, all the time! Every day in every way! God is able, more than able! Alleluia, praise the Lord!
Peace, Sharon
