Today the journey begins. Actually it began long ago. In fact, it may have begun 20 years + 9 months ago…..in utero. They (the doctors) believe that this tumor in his brain formed as he was a developing embryo!! He describes feeling "funny" episodes (dizziness, interruptions, inability to speak) during his time at daycare. It wasn't until he was 14 years old, playing baseball, when his crazy mother insisted on taking him to the doctor after he pulled himself off the baseball field for one of these episodes (convinced that it was due to a lack of water and a healthy diet). Instead, the doctor ordered an MRI which revealed a tumor…benign (thank God), but a tumor! He had lived with it (most likely) his entire life, but at 14, he could finally articulate the feeling of these frequent episodes…the seizures. From that point on, it was a whirlwind of doctor appointments and tests to determine exactly what he was dealing with and what treatment was needed. At the time, he was advised to treat the seizures with medication and leave the tumor alone. The tumor had nestled itself into a fairly delicate area of his brain…one that controls his ability to speak and to understand language. So, we did as we were told and left the tumor alone.
Fast forward 5 years…..Brooks is 19 years old and decides that he has had enough of this disruption in his life! After many years of upping, altering and adjusting his medication, Brooks continues to have (approximately) a seizure every week. He pushes his reluctant Mother to get an appointment at the Mayo Clinic to get a second opinion. And, though I thought he would be told the same thing (leave it alone), the doctors came back with a confident…"we can remove this and get him seizure free"!!
So…here we are! It is Sunday night and Brooks checks in at 6 AM. This will begin the next chapter of the journey. I will be updating this blog each night to let everyone know what is going on and how Brooks is doing.
Thanks to all who are checking in and care about Brooks and our family! I truly appreciate all the positive thoughts and prayers that are coming our way from all of you!! I know that the start of this new path is scary, but I know we are not alone! And for that I am very grateful!
Until tomorrow!
Mary
