They say "Patience Is a Virtue"...

I've always thought patience wasn't a strong suit of mine.  In fact, I'm sure I'm very "impatient" more often than not.  But I'm learning.

The medical board met this week to discuss my case in Charlotte.  They had the results from my functional MRI on December 26 and since they didn't meet on New Years' Day, they had all the information at hand when they met; everything from Utah and Duke.  The current plan will involve an open resection where they input sensors in my brain and observe speech and language and motor functions before removing two-thirds of the tumor.  It's a longer process with a lot of moving parts that will take some time and planning (I think we all thought I'd be recovering from surgery by now) but this approach could make a big difference long term.  While we were on the phone with the doctor, I looked at Mom and said "I want to win the war, not just a single battle."

Thank goodness I have a wonderful primary physician who listens, will research options, and will call on my behalf if he thinks they're not prioritizing the way he thinks they should me.  A simple suggestion of splitting my seizure as long as the total dosage didn't change has made a HUGE difference this week.  (After probably helped with my patience on Wednesday when Dr. Stettler ran through the boards' recommendations.)

The main thing is that I will be meeting with a team of doctors (two neurosurgeons, a neurologist, a neuropsychologist, and who know who else) in the next couple of weeks.  It also sounds like I will be in the hospital for over a week or two.

Since I feel like a science experience, I'm keeping track of the differences I'm dealing with.  For instance, I'm becoming a Leftie.  My right hand has a case of the butterfingers.  Any advice on becoming a Leftie is encouraged!

I have also temporarily lost the ability to taste.  It's really weird, last weekend I managed to taste a pickle on a sandwich but nothing else. (NOT EVEN DIET SUNDROP)

Also, the right side of my body is a completely temperature.  Most people know I'm rarely cold but currently my right hand and right leg have their own ideas!

PS Please forgive the typos. It's a work in progess.