Welcome to our blog! I originally started this blog in November 2010 just prior to having a major brain surgery to remove a large bleeding cavernous angioma from a deep part of my brain. You can best understand the gravity of our experience by reading the first several entries.(Nov 2010-Dec 2010) I wrote the first one and my sweet, adoring husband, John, wrote the next several (while I was too sick to do much of anything) that documented surgery, immediate recovery, and our reaction to the surgery complication (stroke)that was revealed 2 days after surgery. This recovery process has been difficult but we are making it. We appreciate all the kind words of encouragement we have received and we would like to thank everyone that has participated in helping us along this difficult journey. Also, if you have any questions about my personal experience, please leave them as a comment or contact me directly at thankfulforeveryday@yahoo.com and I will respond although I am not a doctor and this is not a replacement for medical care or advise. Please ask a real professional, or probably several. :) I hope to be able to help at least one person along the challenging road of brain surgery and recovery.

Thursday, November 25, 2010

The beginning

These past few years have brought such joy and enlightenment....and now seems like the perfect time to reflect on all the blessings in our lives both big and small. Almost two years ago, we welcomed our little guy, Jack, and life has never been the same....thankfully!! The birth of a healthy baby still amazes me everyday and I couldn't be more thankful to share in raising our spirited and wild little boy. About a year and half ago, I was diagnosed with a cavernous angioma in my brain. One would not think that finding a mass in your brain could be a good thing, but in a strange sort of a way it has been. While I do sometimes wonder what life would hold if this little monster was not in my head... that is not the reality that is our life. This "thing" IS in my brain...that's what we do know and coming to terms with that has been a process. Thankfully we found it before it caused catastrophic deficits. Also, thankfully there is only one (some people that have the genetic form of this condition have many). After many doctors' visits, medical test after test,  countless hours of research, sleepless nights, days of crying, laughing, and everything in between.....my cavernous angioma is coming out on December 10th. This has been the most difficult decision in my life. Trying to evaluate the pros and cons of something that is surrounded by such uncertainty has proved to be an arduous task, especially when major brain surgery or "watching-n-waiting" are the only two options for this condition. While we having tried "watching-n-waiting" it has become clear along the way that that option is no longer an option for me. My cavernous angioma has been growing and bleeding for the year and a half we've been following it, and now is the time to reclaim my life before it's too late.

As we celebrate Thanksgiving this year, my gratitude for the simple things is magnified times a million....and for that I am thankful! We will be celebrating all the blessings in our lives today and everyday!!! Happy Thanksgiving!