Neurology is very much like psychology
November 10th, 2006 by Atomictumor
We were settling down to watch some Metalocalpyse, which I leave you to discover for yourself, much like Califdudes (not for all tastes, GAC and I have found it to be he-larious lately) when I got a phone call from the hospital.
While I’m sure that at this point, she’s stable, and things aren’t going to destabilize instantly, the adrenaline kicks in.
Its BJs Dad. The Neurologist is there, wants to see me in 10 minutes.
I know what he’ll say. “Well, she’s suffered a bleed, it caused pressure to the head, worst case is persistent vegative state, best case is …. no treatment is available now, we’re going to monitor it and hope for the best”
I rush down there with Nodbob anyway.
We saw him, and he talked to us about this, knowing that I’m a computer guy, is trying to explain it “in symbols I understand”.
Dude, I can understand a lot. Right now, I’m understanding things on a sub-intellectual, intuitive level, because my brain is busy distracting itself these days.
So, he said what I figured he’d say. BJ’s mom cried. I’ve concluded that I can’t help them anymore, that I have to bear my own thing, and they have to do theirs. They have each other, so I hope thats a relief for them.
So, we ate pizza at Big Eds, and I continued to try to wrap my mind around why life is being so good to me while at the same time I’m suffering the worst pain I’ve ever felt.
Ah well.
—
My BJ, it was a treat to see you for a while. They don’t have as much hope as I do. I know I’ll see you again.
Gonna laugh at the cartoons that make you laugh now, with my brother. We’re honoring you by doing this.
I love you so much.
November 10th, 2006 at 6:36 pm
She’s a miracle as it is. She’ll continue to be a miracle.
I’ll be praying for all of you.
November 10th, 2006 at 6:48 pm
Worst case senarios are always just that - the very worst thing that can happen.
Not what is going to happen.
The parents will be okay, they’ve just got to deal with things in their own time. I’ll add them to the prayer brigade too :)
November 10th, 2006 at 7:15 pm
Thanks Allisone. I think that would help. I haven’t mentioned them much, but I can’t imagine. She’s their baby girl.
November 10th, 2006 at 7:24 pm
I’ll see you this weekend, AT. Call me anytime. always thinking of you and your family. missing Pigpen and hoping he’s feeling better. Seriously, call me anytime.
much love to you and your fam,
P.T
November 10th, 2006 at 7:28 pm
Sounds good! The boy will be back in town tomorrow, if’n you wanna see him.
November 10th, 2006 at 7:34 pm
I’m blown away by the human ability to have a good life in the middle of a bad life, and vice-versa.
Your boys are lucky to have you.
November 10th, 2006 at 7:40 pm
Big hug!!!!!
November 10th, 2006 at 7:41 pm
They can’t treat it effectively because the personality/memory part of the brain is buried waaay in the middle. To try to do anything would cause collateral damage. The part of the brain that controls waking up, and so persistant vegetative states, is more towards the brainstem than the memory bit. Still, they don’t really know what the effect of the bleeds will be until you wake GAC up, so hope for the best and we will keep praying.
November 10th, 2006 at 7:48 pm
Just checking in tonight. Still thinking of you and BJ and the boys. Do not give up!!
November 10th, 2006 at 7:51 pm
Hey AT… Hon… C’mere!!!! ::noogie::
Just thought you could use that!
November 10th, 2006 at 8:03 pm
Thanks sweeteee… hee.
November 10th, 2006 at 8:05 pm
And still no one knows why any of this is happening? Paging Dr. Gregory House. If only. I’d put up with his cranky valium-infused diatribe for an answer.
November 10th, 2006 at 8:05 pm
AT …. Big Ed’s rocks … glad you are getting some good food at least. Like others have said the worst case is that, but it is not the result that usually happens. GB Scentist explained it perfectly…they will know when GAC wakes up and then they have evaluate it.
Our prayers and praise continue. We had a bit of surgery around here today so we are a bit slow on getting updates again.
November 10th, 2006 at 8:09 pm
Doctors seem cold sometimes, but I guess their point is they have to tell you the worst case scenario. My husband, who is specializing in Psychiatriy, has to spend a year learning/practicing Neurology before he can move on to the head cases. When I told him about GAC’s bleed, he didn’t seem overly shocked or concerned (when at first, with her initial facts and figures, boy did he), and basically stated a lot of the same things others have been saying - she’s young, if the bleeding is done, there is still a good chance she will be ok. But yea, you gotta prepare yourself for the worst case scenario, which is the bitchy part.
I spent my childhood living with chronic illness and I’ve seen first hand what a sick child does to parents. What they were going through was probably worse than anything I had to experience, and I am sure in some ways, it is the same for GAC’s parents. I’ve known they were there, grieving in their own way, and my hopes and prayers have always included them along with everyone else in your families.
I love you guys, and I miss GAC’s posts and better yet her comments now and then on my blog. She once suggested playing polkas to drive the crappy Greek pop music away. Polkas! It would have been a brilliant idea if it wouldn’t drive me crazy in the process. But I would happily listen to a polka or two right now if it made her better.
November 10th, 2006 at 8:16 pm
Big Ed’s? Wish I’d known… we stopped by Miss Betty’s for dinner, then up to Razzleberry’s Ice Cream Lab in Jackson Square (just opened) for dessert.
You need some ice cream. Remember, they’re managing expectations. She’ll be back, with her quick wit and special smile.
November 10th, 2006 at 8:38 pm
Buddy, damama and I were talking last nite after you called. I am 100% that God will cure her. I think he’s using this to show His face, to show His glory. You know better than I how many people have been touched by this website, by this experience. People who haven’t prayed in years and “dropping” to their knees. He’s using her, using you for His glory. Why you guys? Don’t know. Why is stupid, you know that. But you and she and your marriage and your family will be rewarded by this, more than you can know. You will be rewarded for seeing His face in this and seeing the Beauty around you. Praise God.
I love you. Give Spanky (aka Nodbob) a hug for me. See you fools tomorrow
November 10th, 2006 at 11:10 pm
Mel,
One of the nicest parts of the day was when I’d see GAC at my internet haunts. I’d go around to your place, or Cuppajoes, or Jon Hickmans, or Doug and Cathy, and I’d pop in to leave a comment (I’d be at work, shh), and she’d have beat me to it.
Its like bumping into your best friend at the bank, or something. It was one of those little joys.
Yeah, I miss it too. Seems like she always said something, if not useful, than funny, or sweet. Usually funny, she has a wicked sense of humor.
NM,
Hard to miss ol’ Nod’s haircut. Keep your eyes peeled!
Bullet,
You’re right.
What worries me is the free will. I know BJ, and I know she’ll wake up, in pain, with a tube, maybe missing parts of her body, maybe not being able to think completely.
She won’t have had weeks to see the beauty that I have. She won’t have had time to cope.
I’m afraid for her. I’m afraid that she’ll be so bitter, and not understand what we almost lost. I’m afraid that my love, and all of THIS, won’t be enough to make up. She’d be within her rights, I feel.
I’m not worried about this, because there will be days and weeks until that happens. It’ll happen, and maybe by then I’ll have figured out how to fix it.
Dunno. Going to bed.
No post tonight. Too sleepy.
Good night, BJ. I love you, my sleeping beauty.