Finally, a neuro-surgeon

Sent: Thursday, July 31, 2008
Subject: Kristina's Brain- update (please share with anyone who may be interested)

Hi, all. Having seen my neurosurgeon today, here is where we stand. I’ll start by saying that even though I’m getting better every day (speaking, spelling, reading, staying awake), I still feel fairly out of my gourd. I’m on a lot of brain medications, and they can’t help but take their toll.

We still do not know what is in my brain—on the left side, in the “speech region,” is either a kind of infection or a tumor. The tests so far have not been able to tell us what it is. The neurosurgeon wants to present all of my tests to a board of his peers at the Johns Hopkins Neurology Department on Monday to discuss what steps to take next—likely either a needle biopsy of the brain region or a “functional MRI,” which would involve brain function testing while I speak. The spinal fluid which was drawn last week shows no malignant cells, which is good, and the doctor believes that this “tumor” has been building for weeks or months. It sounds as though his main concern for me is my speech region, which makes me feel better since my main concern has been cancer. It may yet be cancer, but at least right now that does not seem to be the thought at the top of the doctors’ minds.

There isn’t any good way to get a brain mass, but the odds that I would do it at such a young age in the medically fantastic city of Baltimore are pretty staggering. My awesome husband has been able to stay with me full-time, and we are so lucky that we both have fantastic jobs that are supporting us through this. It is hard to imagine being productive ever again, but I’m hoping that this can be addressed and behind us in a matter of weeks. Just last Tuesday I couldn’t read, and here I am typing again, and that is certainly encouraging.

Thank you again for all of your thoughts, cards, treats, and good wishes. I will keep you posted when we learn what the doctors decide to do with me. Thinking of everyone pulling for me is truly the last thing I think of before I fall asleep at night and the first thing I think of when I wake up, and I can’t thank you enough.

Love, -Kristina

Here we go...

Sent: Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Subject: Kristina's brain

Hi, Marsha. Would you please share this with Dr. Maurer and anyone else who may be interested? Thank you!

Being a curious person, I would certainly want to know what was going on if someone I knew was having brain surgery. My family and I have been so appreciative of the cards, flowers, food, and general good wishes that everyone has been sending our way for the last week. Thank you so much for keeping us in your thoughts. Here is what has been happening:

Last Monday night I had a seizure. I remember nothing of it, and most of last week is a total loss. Apparently there is a mass in my brain, behind my left eyebrow, which does not belong. This portion of the brain is responsible for memory, so the first few days—when it was particularly inflamed—I couldn't read, spell, or remember virtually anything. The medicines I am on now are keeping this in check, and I am starting to be more of myself again. In the process of having the seizure, I whacked my ribs, which is also finally subsiding, so things are starting to heal & and I'm not quite so reliant on the pain medications.

We do not know why there is a mass in my brain. We aren't sure yet that it is a mass. It might be a tumor, it might be inflammation. The tests so far have been inconclusive. What we do know is that it is "non-enhanced,” which is less likely to be cancerous. Also, I am young and otherwise healthy. Baltimore is a city with great medicine, and we are lucky enough to have lots of friends with pull to get me in to the best doctors. Tomorrow we meet with a famous neurosurgeon at Johns Hopkins to discuss my situation, and he truly is the best in the country. Mark is ensuring that I get the best care that exists. If anyone has a chance of coming through this with a clean bill of health, it is me.

I cannot thank you enough for your thoughts and good wishes. There is something very comforting about knowing that people are pulling for you. If anyone would like to email me, I can be reached at this address: k@yahoo.com. I'll be happy to answer questions and give updates as they are available—again, I know how curious I would be. After all, it isn't every day you meet someone who gets to have brain surgery!

-Kristina

This photo was taken two days before Lloyd announced himself--Sansi came for a visit, we went swimming at Mom's house, and Kelly announced she was pregnant! It was a perfect weekend :)