Home Again!

Hello All,

Linda (Mom) is home again! She came home Monday afternoon, and has taken it very easy for a couple of days. It appears that the balancing act between the post-op swelling and the elevated blood pressure has stabilized. She is experiencing no pain, and her blood pressure is much more stable. She has enjoyed getting to sleep through the night without being interrupted by the nurses every two hours.

We are narrowing our search for the very best treatment options. We are contacting the top cancer clinics in the nation to find the best second opinion and treatment options for her continued care.

I took today's pictures this morning on my way out the door. She was on her laptop and on a conference call for work. I guess a week off work after brain surgery, two nights in ICU, one visit to the ER, and 4 nights in a regular hospital room is enough "vacation!" Seriously, she has been cleared to work from home, and is enjoying getting back to a semblance of a daily routine.

I have heard that some people are having difficulty posting replies or comments to this blog. I will look into this. In the meantime, please send your comments to Linda via email at derek.linda@sbcglobal.net. Along with her customary cup of tea and toast, Mom enjoys spending part of her morning reading emails from friends.

Home Today?

Mom is still in the hospital today as they continue to monitor her blood pressure. As we had expected and hoped, her symptoms related to the swelling are improving. This is significant, because as the swelling subsides, so can the dosage for the meds that seem to be causing the blood pressure issues. We all agree that a cautious approach to her return home is the best idea. It looks like she will return home today. I will keep everyone posted. Thanks again for all the thoughts and especially prayers. I can tell you that we all feel them!

Still in Hospital, Getting Some Answers

Hi Everyone,

Mom remains in the hospital after returning there on Thursday. She is still experiencing high blood pressure at times, and it is best for her to be under the care of the hospital. After meeting with an internal medicine doctor, we have learned that the meds she's taking to control the swelling after her surgery also has a tendency to increase blood pressure. Since controlling both the swelling and the blood pressure are very important, there is a balancing act going on to find the solution. We have also learned that the post-op swelling is typically worst between days 2 and 5 after the surgery. We're now almost into day 5, so we hope to see the swelling begin to subside. She will remain in the hospital until everyone is confident that these issues are stable and under control.

She is in very good spirits, and is happy to be where she needs to be for her recovery. Her positive attitude remains intact even after this extremely challenging week. "Inspirational" is hardly an adequate description.

Back to the Hospital

Mom went back to the hospital last night. She was having some numbness similar to her initial symptoms a couple of weeks ago. She spent the night in the hospital for observation. A CT scan revealed some swelling in the area of the surgery, which we believe to be the cause for her symptoms. Her blood pressure continues to rise at times, and that is one of the reasons they are keeping her at the hospital. The plan is for her to spend tonight (Friday) at the hospital, and hopefully return home tomorrow.

In typical Linda Holland fashion, she dove right into life upon her return, and probably didn't recognize the rest she needed after such major surgery. When she returns home, I think it is very important for her and my dad to have a day or two to settle into a routine before seeing many visitors. They are truly blessed to have such wonderful friends and family, and of course Mom always loves to see people, so it is difficult for them to decline visitors.

Thanks again for all the thoughts, prayers, and well-wishes. I'll update here as soon as there is news.

Back Home!

Hi Friends and Family,

Mom is back home today! She left the ICU yesterday for a regular room, and less than 24 hours later she was released. Amazing. She is very happy to be home, and she will be much more comfortable and able to rest now. She is still very tired, but her recovery is remarkable. She got a haircut today. It was nothing dramatic, just mostly to make it more manageable. I think the guy who cut her hair, Josh, will have an interesting story to tell for awhile. It's not everyday that a lady comes in for a haircut two days after brain surgery! I doubt many of us would be thrilled at the prospect, but it sounds like Josh handled the unusual request and task admirably.

Mom says that she is experiencing little or no pain. Her only issue is occasional elevated blood pressure, which is typical after this surgery. She has meds to control this when necessary.

The journey continues...

Surgery and Recovery

Hi Everyone,

The surgery went well yesterday, and Mom is recovering well. She will transfer from ICU to a regular room this afternoon. Her courage, resolve, and positive attitude are truly inspirational. No surprise there, right?! It now appears that the mass in her lung is not cancerous. This indicates that the brain tumor is a primary brain tumor that originated in the brain, and the initial biopsy analysis agrees. This is typically an aggressive form of cancer. The doctor believes that he removed all of the tumor. As she continues to recover from the surgery and we receive a pathology report from the surgery, we will explore the best course of action for her continued treatment. I stick with my belief that she is as ready for the fight as is humanly possible.

Thanks again for your thoughts and prayers. Keep them coming!

Facebook Support Group

For those of you on Facebook, I have created the Linda Holland Cancer Support Group. Click the link above to go to the group. I won't provide updates as frequently there, but it would be a good place to send a quick note of encouragement and show support.

The Fight Starts Today

Good Morning. This is the first of many posts as my mom Linda begins her battle with cancer. In just over 5 hours, she will have surgery to remove a brain tumor. The doctors believe that the location and size of the tumor give a good chance of a successful and safe outcome. She also has what we believe to be a cancerous tumor in her lung, which leads the doctors to believe the cancer began in the lung and spread to her brain.

Mom is in great shape to begin this battle. I've said it over and over since we learned this shocking news 11 days ago, but I'll say it again: She is the best-equipped person I know for this fight. She is in great physical condition (she's been training for another marathon), she has the best emotional and spiritual outlook one could ever imagine, and she has a tremendous support group of family and friends. If anyone is up to the task to fight, it's my mom.

She enjoyed a day of relaxation, friends, and family today. She even played piano and sang for her youngest granddaughter, my niece Addison.

Mom has said she is at peace, and feels God's presence and comfort with her. She is ready for the battle to begin. Please keep her and my dad in your thoughts and prayers as she begins her journey.