Ups and Downs

We've learned over the past 24 hours that the next few days, if not weeks will be a lot of ups and downs. Mary has had some really great moments, and we've learned some really scary things. On the up side, yesterday she was awake and eating, which is really great news. Something that kind of made us all giggle was when she told the doctors and family that she had a headache and that it was probably because she hadn't had any coffee in the past few days. It definitely couldn't have been because she had just had brain surgery..haha. We had to laugh.

On the serious side of things, it looks as though a stroke, while not imminent, is very possible over the next few days. The bleeding in the brain is quite serious. The stroke would not be your "typical" stroke, where there is a clot which blocks oxygen to the brain, rather this would be caused by spasms in the brain which would cause the passageways to close up, blocking the oxygen that way. The good news is that she is already in the hospital, and they know it might be coming. The severe damage of a stroke happens when the brain is lacking oxygen for a period of time. With Mary being watched very closely 24/7, they can jump on her the second it happens.

She is also experiencing issues with her right eye. The other day I posted about how it is swollen and bruised from the blood dripping down from the brain. I also posted about how she was leaking fluid from her eye. Two days ago they tested the fluid to see if it was just saline or cerebral fluid (fluid from the brain). We haven't heard back yet, but the doctor does feel that it is cerebral fluid. This is not great news, as it means there is an opening somewhere in there for infection to get into the brain. Like I said, we don't know for sure yet, so I will of course, keep you all updated.

Jim and I are heading back to Boston tomorrow afternoon, and will stay through the weekend. The both of us, along with Mike, Maggie, and Mary too, cannot stress enough our sincere appreciation to everyone who has reached out. We are so fortunate to have such amazing people in our lives who truly care. Keep praying, keep up those positive thoughts, and I'll check back in here as soon as I know anything new.