10 Month Brainaversary!

Things to update. I had my scan and it came back to hypolordosis and osteophytes. So no spinal surgery for me *happy dance* I will be having LOTS more physiotherapy but I can mange that. My latest round of bloods came in as well. Best bloods EVER! No cancer markers found *Happy dance again*
Have been madly preparing for Christmas which got sneaky and caught up while I wasnt looking. I have just finished the 2nd christmas cake (the first was devoured by the boys). The pudding is ready to go. Shopping is done (I think) I made a list and then promptly forgot to update it in the middle so I THINK I have everyone covered but there is a lingering doubt... the chilling thought I have forgotten someone cringe.

I made 6 million steps the other week which was incredibly awesome. It gives me a great sense of achivement. I can now start exercising properly which is something I haven't been able to do for oh............. 8 years. I have an amazing team helping me out with all of this and can not believe how lucky I am.

Have a safe an happy holiday!

Hiccups

I'm now sitting at about 9 and a half months post op. Since I last posted there have been a few developments. I am heading of for a scan of my neck (3 doctors I have seen so far are recommending surgery) for the profound weakness in my left arm. Tomorrow I have a blood test. Today I am supposed to be returning a call to "Synapse" the State Brain Injury Association. 
In a lot of ways I'm getting pretty frustrated with it all. I am not looking forward to or wanting to have ANY surgeries in the new future let alone a spinal surgery so soon after brain surgery. I am not pleased about being classified/boxed/classed as having "Acquired Brain Injury" either. However I have decided that I will use whatever resources are available to me to work as hard as I can to get better. However long it takes or hard it gets. I have fought pretty darn hard to get this far, I'm not about to give up now!
I made a video about my journey through brain surgery to help me remember things and keep things in order; it has helped me to do that and much more. Another photographer on the other side of the world to contact me as he is facing brain surgery himself and was inspired by my story that life does go on and that photography isn't something that has to go away; in fact it can be a great tool. I too have been inspired throughout this journey (it is not over yet) by some incredible artist and photographers.
I could not have done any of this without the support, love and help of my family and friends and for them I am eternally grateful. All these bumps are just hiccups in the road and can be overcome. Life does and will continue to improve and so will I.
Stay safe, inspired and look after each other.

Amazing News

I saw my neurosurgeon Dr Charlie Teo, on November 1st. He had a look at my MRI and did a check up with me. The end result is that he has cleared me. No more trips to Sydney every 6 months, no more brain scans, no tumour growing back! i have "A pristine brain" Happy happy happy days. I have my life back, I have a future I didn't dare to hope for. 
I won't be properly recovered from the surgery for 18 months to 2 years but I feel SO much better already it amazes me each day I wake up not in agonising pain. My memory is getting better too. It's like having a whole new life and I intend to make as much of it as I can. At the end of this month I am doing a trip with my father in law to Bourke, Coober Pedy and Bridsville via Lake Eyre, Warburton Grove and the Goyder Lagoon. I am really looking forward to it!

8 Month Brainiversary

Yesterday was my first post op MRI. It was a bit of a challenge. First of all I am claustrophobic so I wasn’t particularly looking forward to it. When we arrived at the centre we discovered it was directly across the road from where my mother died. It was a rude shock.  I have to wait 2 - 3 days now for the results of the MRI to arrive in the mail. Those are going to be some very long days indeed.
I have been very stressed about this scan as i tis the first since surgery. I have to say I have been terrified that something will show up on the scans and I'll have to have more brain surgery. I don't ever want to have to go through this again. Recovering my memory, my self, my life over the last eight months has been a massive journey, its been an adventure and its been frightening at times.

I have been consoling, calming and attempting to de-stress myself by drowning in my photography. Playing with ideas and things I haven’t done for a while or never tried before. I am really looking forward to catching up with family and friends while I'm away and especially once the hard part is over.

I'll update more another time. Be safe, have fun and get out there and Live life.

7 month Brainiversary

Tomorrow is my 7 month brainiversary!
I have continued to run around taking photgraphs though I was slowed down a bit by illness. I have been continuing with physio and have managed to get myself a week off for good behaviour. My legs seem to be working much better now, hip pain is less, messages from brain to feet are clearer! My arm is also improving.
I have in the last month managed to do my first lot of proper baking since surgery. From scratch following a recipe and I didn't mess it up. Small victories! My memory is improving though tracking time is still off and diffcult to manage. I am relying on writing things down and using automated calendars.
Life is so much better than it was before surgery. The hurdles and challenges I have been dealing with post op are a walk in the park compared with what I was living before. I am so happy to be alive and honestly value every day I have.
Next month I have to go for another MRI and then early November I go back for follow up with my neurosurgeon. We'll be spending time with family and friends while we are away and I am really looking forward to seeing them all.
We have had an odd weather pattern the last few days combined with over 200 fires which has conspired to make for a blanket of smoke over the city. It has created some amazing sunsets!

Anniversary Weekend Away

For our 15 anniversary we went away to Hervey Bay for the weekend. We did a lot of walking around the beaches and of course Urangan Pier which is the longest wooden pier around. It has been restored to in excess of 800meters long (originally 1.1 kms)! So we walked it a few times! We went to Vic Hislops Shark Show and saw a 14 foot shark, a real one not a replica. Oh and we saw whales, and a dugong! 
We also stopped at Wild Horse Mountain on the way home. I managed to walk up the mountain in one go this time. This is the first time I have EVER managed to walk up the mountain without stopping. Not bad for 6 months post op brain surgery if I do say so myself. My hubby struggled and had a few stops along the way. The walk up the mountain is only 800 meters but its a 1:10 incline. It rises 80 meters over 800 meters. Anyway I'm pretty happy with myself for managing it.
Here are some pictures from our time away.

6 month Brainiversary

Yesterday was officially My 6 month brainiversary!

 

This month has so much happening! My Brothers 1st wedding anniversary at the beginning of the month. My very amazing friends wedding in a few days! I only wish I could be there with him to share it. My inlaws celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary this weekend as well. Our 15th wedding anniversary in 5 days! I wasn't sure I'd be here for it and I'm so very happy I am! We'll be away for a weekend together on our own to celebrate.  Our youngest boy selected his classes for senior and has arranged his work experience and mapped out the rest of his working life (as he would like to see it for now). 

 

I have an appointment for follow up in Sydney with my neurosurgeon on November 1st. I'll be having a new MRI done before I go.  On the way down and back (we're taking a couple of days to drive down and home) we'll be stopping to visit some beautiful friends along the way. I miss them so very very much it makes my heart ache. They were very wonderful and put us up when I went down for my initial appointment and again when I went down for surgery. 

 

I have also been offered the opportunity to do a two day flight trip in outback australia. Over Lake Eyre, out to Coober Pedy, birdsdville etc. It will be a great opportunity to take photographs *fingers crossed* That trip will be after I get back from Sydney, so EVEN more to look forward too. This has been a miraculous year and its not over yet.