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.

Friday, February 4, 2011

Sad news

We received some very sad news yesterday that Lisa, my roommate from Barrow's rehab had passed away last Friday. Although we didn't know her very well; we spent one very important week of our lives with Lisa and her very kind sister, Stacey. While everyone hopes for a private room in the hospital, sharing a room with Lisa was the next best thing. Lisa's endearing sister, Stacey, was by Lisa's bedside almost the entire time we were there, and she was perfect....sweet, quite, considerate, compassionate, funny, and completely dedicated to supporting her sister in her fight against breast cancer that had spread to her brain. Lisa needed a miracle and we were hoping she would get one! I had even given her the rock from my Grandma at one point hoping the power of the universe would heal her. It was very heavy to say the least! We had been hoping to hear good news...that Lisa had beaten cancer...after all, she was only 36...the same age as me....she had so much living to do!! Unfortunately, we didn't get that good news. Looking back, that was such an important week for us, and Lisa and Stacey were a big part of our everyday in rehab.Our thoughts and prayers go out to Lisa's friends and family during this difficult time. Lisa's story is yet another reminder of why it is so important to really be thankful for everyday and to never take life for granted!!