Tomorrow's the big day

Tomorrow morning at 7am Sarah will head in to surgery. She had to go in this afternoon for another MRI, get her head shaved (not her whole head though) and get electrodes put on all over her head. (Which Perri told her "looked pretty") Sarah, mom and I went and got our nails done today so she would have pretty toes for surgery, bags are packed and everything is ready to go. She's scared about surgery, but also at a peace about it. She said, when you have no other option, it kind of makes it easier to know that this is just what you have to do. She was saying tonight, though, that it feels like we're all talking about someone else. That it just doesn't seem possible that this is happening to her and that in the morning she's going in for brain surgery.

At the MRI today the dr. told her the tumor has been blocking the flow of spinal fluid and when she first goes into surgery they will put a drain in her head to help drain off that fluid once the tumor is removed so that it doesn't all flow and pool around the brain. They do think its a certain type of tumor that is attached to many nerves and that is the main worry, as we have been told there is a 50% chance of face paralysis, not being able to swallow, blink, smile. That is Sarah's main worry. She was told she will definitely be losing hearing in her left ear, which she is okay with, but its the other that really scares her. Please pray that they can remove all the tumor and safely get around the nerves so there is no damage!
Also, if they get in there and they can't get all of it out due to being too attached or surrounding nerves, they will either have to close up and do radiation later, or close up and do surgery again after she recovers from the first surgery. We also ask that you please pray for complete removal.

I don't know how much I'll be updating via the blog but those of you who are friends with me on facebook, I will have my phone and laptop up at the hospital and will be updating as we get reports throughout the surgery. It will last 12-13 hours so will be quite a long day.

I also want to thank all the sweet parents of the kids my mom teaches for their going in together and giving my parents a Visa card to let them stay at the hospital that is right there on the hospital campus. You guys are so amazing and you have no idea how grateful they are to you all for this. As well as everyone bringing meals, giving the gift cards to restaurants around the hospital, food for the waiting room, flowers, kind words and prayers. We appreciate it all so very much. I've also been so overwhelmed at everyone's offering to keep Perri. Craig came up last night so he'll be staying at my parents house with her tomorrow so we won't need help with her, but thank you all so so much for that.

Again, please continue to keep Sarah in your prayers as well as for the 3 surgeons working on her. We appreciate each and every prayer!

Update

Thanks to everyone for their prayers for Sarah and our family, we really appreciate them!! As well as all the kind offers to keep Perri for me at this time.

Surgery is definitely on for Tuesday, beginning at 7AM and now will last from 12-13 hours, with a team of 3 surgeons in there, each working on the tumor for 3 hours at a time. Also found out the tumor is about 2 inches, considered large for its location, is on the lining of her brain and likely began growing 12-15 years ago.

Yesterday they tried Sarah off the iv pain meds and taking oral medication in hopes that she can come stay here with my parents for the weekend until surgery. She did well managing pain that way yesterday and my mom just called and she slept all night and never woke needing the pain meds!! Her neurosurgeon isn't on call this weekend so they're just up there waiting now for his partner to make his rounds and tell her whether or not she gets to come here or not.

Craig is coming up either Sunday or Monday, praise the Lord, and will be able to help me more with Perri. She is doing well with everything but it's difficult carting her back and forth to the hospital so much. I did take her yesterday morning to a place to climb, slide and play. She had a blast but I was already exhausted from lack of sleep and needless to say came home and took a nap while she did.

I'll keep updating on here as we find out more.
Thanks again everyone for your sweet messages and prayers!

Prayers for Sarah please!

Just wanted to post a quick note to ask everyone for prayers for my sister. Perri and I have been in AR visiting and while here my sister has been very sick with severe migraines, what we thought were a result from having her neck adjusted since he has a lot of problems with her neck. Last night, praise the Lord her fiance was there, but she lost consciousness and he called an ambulance and she was taken to the ER here in Little Rock. She there passed out again. After a CT Scan and MRI they found a large tumor behind her ear, pressing on her brain causing all the problems she's been having lately (dizziness, numbness, migraines) that we thought was from her neck. Surgery is tentatively set for Tuesday, as the neurosurgeon has to plan out the surgery due to the size and location of the tumor. It will be a full day surgery and very serious and risky because it can affect hearing, sight, etc.

Thank you all who have already had our family in your prayers.

Snappy Straps

Just wanted to let everyone know that the Etsy shop is up and running!! I have many more designs made up and will get them listed as soon as I get home from visiting family!

Come check it out! And also, I've done several custom orders for people and love doing that as well and helping you pick out fabric, etc!

Snappy Straps

Smarty Pants