The London effect

Effect or affect?  I admit I had to look it up to be sure but I think I've got it right.  My English department friends can let me know!

So the London trip was great!  We had a wonderful time and I felt soooo good.  I'm not sure if it was the excitement of getting WAY out of the house, being with family  or the (much) cooler weather but I had no problems and kept up with the 4-6 miles of walking each day just fine.  I was tired every evening but so was everyone else! Its almost as if the more I do, the more I feel like I CAN DO.  Like when you have more energy after working out - I'm calling this the London effect.  The flight was long and after Ben cleaned up the third glass of water I spilled in the Chicago airport on what turned into an almost 9 hour layover, we decided traveling with me was like traveling with an 8 year old.  But we survived and got there and back with all our luggage.  I'm hoping the memories of flight delays and standing in line will quickly fade.

At Buckingham Palace

Young and hip - which one is 20?

While there my cousin Zachary turned 20 - he wanted to have a pint at the pub with the "young people" in the family (aka those of us without kids).  He settled for one drink at the hotel bar and then headed out to find his friends while the rest of the 'young hip people' called it a night!  Actually I should give Brad and Frank their props - I think they managed to stay up awhile after that.  But Zachary is now my first or second favorite 1st cousin once removed on that side of the family.  =)

Owen the gardener

Since returning I've been back at the lab for short days. In a couple weeks we take our research students to New Orleans to work at the USDA for a week.  At the end of July we will head to the farm to meet up with Dan,Jean and Owen!  So here is my opportunity to insert a gratuitous picture of my beautiful nephew!  Then football begins, then school and it will be fall already.  I'm enjoying returning to the familiar rhythms of life.

I don't know that this thing is completely beat but the trajectory is positive.  I might not update as frequently, because then I'd have to subject you to more gratuitous pictures of Moab and Owen to fill the space. =)  Thank you for your continued thoughts and prayers - whatever we are doing - its working!

good news and more good news

So yes, the THING is still getting smaller.  I don't have a number (how unsatisfying!) but I saw the MRI scans and it is definitely smaller.  not as big a change as last time, but it's still going in the right direction!  Good (great) news!

There also was not a lot of swelling or inflammation - which I was glad to hear.  I thought there might be since being off the steroids. Good news!

So then the big question - can we go to London?  He said no problem.  Good news!  For those of you thinking - is that a good idea, won't the pressure of flying make your head explode?  Cabin pressure is set to the equivalent of 7000-8000 ft above sea level.  Would you be ok with me driving to Santa Fe New Mexico (ele 7260 ft)?  What about being in a foreign country while ill?  We speak the language; they have good, modern medical care;  I bought a travel health insurance policy (if you take the umbrella, it won't rain!); I have email addresses and home phone numbers of my doctors; and my cousin lives there and can help us navigate the health system if needed.  We've covered about every base we can and like Dr. Rose said the first time I met him - 'don't let this thing dictate your actions - live your life'.  So we are living.  We still welcome your prayers for safe travel though!!

Unfortunately there are 3 people who are close to me who have not received news that is as good or hopeful in the last few weeks, regarding serious medical issues.  I ask that you remember them, and pray for healing if that is what is meant to be, and for peace for them and for their families. 

Summer research started this week so I'm back to work daily. I have 6 bright eager women who are a joy to work with.  But wow I forgot how tiring it is to go to work every day!  =) I was asleep by 8 pm on Friday night!  It feels good though and the girls are working hard and some good science is happening.  Some days I only make it a few hours, but it is  good to be back!   

So where do we go from here?  Drs. say the most improvement from brain injury happens in the first 2-3 months post event, but there can be substantial (but slower) improvement over the next 6 months - year (and even longer). So we've reached the plateau phase.  I won't get another MRI until Dec and won't see a Dr. for 2 months (!that seems unbelievable!) unless symptoms get worse or something.  I will continue with physical therapy and keep working on that stuff at home. I fully expect to keep improving and thank you for continuing to THINK SHRINK - it isn't gone yet.  We still have some work to do.