Limoncello

14 days plus "9 hours and 45 minutes" plus another 6 weeks = FULL RECOVERY

Adri is on the road to recovery, and I must say it is a very profound journey.

Along the way, our family has benefited more than we could have ever realized.
Our family has become even stronger and closer.
We have reconfirmed our amazing friendships with our lifelong friends.
We have reestablished bonds with people whom we met along life's journey.
We have renewed contacts with business associates of years past.
Individual friendships have extended to become family relationships.
We are cared for by the most amazing medical staff.
We are watched over by our Guardian Angels.
The uncanny "Six Degrees of Separation" theory has been proven beyond a shadow of a doubt.
We have been introduced to people who have become instant friends, including others with acoustic neuromas and ICU nurses that we would not have met without this twist of fate.
And the list goes on...
These are the precious gifts of life to be cherished.

All because of an ice cream cone shaped tumor (the doctors description) lodged next to Adri’s brain. My son-in-law says he can't wait for Adri to tell her nephew-to-be about the summer Auntie Adri got an ice cream cone stuck in her head. Ahhhhhh, family stories!!!!

One never knows where life will lead, but Adri has shown us how to make the best of any situation that comes our way, the good and the not so good. She has demonstrated great spirit, defined courage, shown dignity in all actions, looked at the big picture and approached everything with a smile and a sense of humor. She makes us all proud. Lemons or Limoncello? Ask Adri, she knows the answer to that one!!

Who knew you could learn so much from your children?

Adri keeps saying, "I am so lucky". My family amazes me. Adri is wise beyond her years. Allison is determined and strong of heart. Lex is protective and steadfast. Molly and Mike are treasures. My husband is our pillar of strength. I feel as if I am the lucky one!

Every kindness sent to Adri is so greatly appreciated. Thank you. Life is good.

Mom/Marlene/Grandmother-to-be

Thank You!

A wise friend recently asked me if I was still counting the hours, or days, or weeks since my brain surgery. It's day 12. And I can't sleep. I can't sleep for a lot of reasons, reasons like the new seemingly permanent throbbing on the left side of my head and thoughts that keep me awake about how I feel like I might just be the luckiest person in the world. You'd think the roxy/norco/valium combo might help fall into a deep sleep but sometimes it's a matter of the heart that keeps you awake at night. You know when you were a little kid and you'd want something so badly you thought you were going to burst? That's how I feel now... but it's more like I put my hands together close to my heart, squeeze my eyes tight, hold my breath and .... smile. I am smiling as I sit here sleeplessly 12 days after brain surgery. I am so thankful this has happened to me, so thankful I feel like I might burst. I would never wish a brain tumor on anyone, but it has been a gift to experience so much love and kindness; I wish everyone could joyfully squeeze their eyes tight in gratitude and see what this brain tumor has shown me. Life is good.

Thank you for the flowers, meals, care packages, visits, cards, texts, phone calls, blog comments, emails, FB messages and endless prayers. I am surrounded by fragrant, happy, flowers. I am tucked into cozy, comfy PJs. Words of encouragement hang all around my parent's home, pulling my spirits upwards. I re-read the blog on a daily basis, just to remember that this really is happening. Facebook has become a source of inspirational quotes.

It has taken an army of love and support to get me through to day 12. Thank you, each one of you, for your outpour of love to me and my family. Your prayers, positivity and generosity in support have been the motivator of my success. My only option was to rise to the challenge; we can't help what life deals us but it has been your words that make me endure. Thank you!

Sushi? At a Restaurant? 11 Days after Surgery? YES!!

I just got home from dropping Adri and my mom off after going out to dinner with them. We had sushi at a little local joint. The biggest challenge for Adri was the noise. Since she can only hear out her right ear, she struggled a bit with processing our conversation and all of the background noise. Her brain will eventually help her tune in the good stuff and tune out the garbage. Something we could all probably benefit from.

She really is improving but it is still going to be a long road. I am sure she is in her jammies right now and headed to bed. She is such an active person and it is really hard for her to sit still and just heal. If you have any good restful hobbies you could recommend she pick up that would be great, maybe knitting or origami?

Adri is so appreciative of all of the support, love, flowers and gifts. She has told me so many times that she hopes to someday be able to verbalize and thank everyone for everything they have done for her through this process. You all have made it easier for her and for our family.

Thanks!

32 years old and Adri still needs a babysitter!

Mom and Dad were invited to dinner and even though they were tired, I am sure it was nice to get out of the house. My guideson's (his parent's aren't religious) birthday party was tonight so that left Adri in need of babysitting! Luckily her friends Stephanie and Megan stepped up to the challenge. They were left with written drug instructions and warnings to keep the chatting to a minimum and let Adri get her rest. I am sure they did great and the rest of the family enjoyed a night off. Thanks!

Ouch- that hurts!

Adri was told that getting the staples out was no big deal, well she said it really hurt!

Let's give credit where credit is due

I just want to make sure that all of you know that this blog has been a true team effort! Lex was the creator of the blog and also all the postings posted by Adri's Blog. Molly was a huge contributor as well. This has been really a fun distraction and hopefully a nice way to communicate this info to you. This blog would not have happened without Lex and Molly!

Fewer Postings= More Progress

So I am sitting here with Adri at my parents house. She is resting a bit in between visitors. I look around the place and here is what I see:
-The scrapbook with all of your notes, pictures and stories. Adri says she looks at this daily and it makes her smile.
-Tons of beautiful flowers in various colors.
-The closet doors in the bedroom are covered with cards and notes from all of you. She looks at them before she goes to bed and when she wakes up.

She continues to tell me how she feels so loved and how she truly believes all of the support has made a difference in her recovery.

As you know Adri is a pretty active person, she doesn't like to sit home and watch the boob tube. She is getting a little, ok maybe a lot, bored. But the problem is she still doesn't have the stamina to do much. She just had a visitor and as soon as she left Adri closed her eyes. I brought over all my cheesy DVDs to try and give her some entertainment since she is still struggling a bit with reading.

Some big news today, Adri has ditched the walker! She is walking on her own, although carefully. She is still working on her balance and getting her footing right but this is a big step towards recovery.

Tomorrow is going to be another butt numbing experience! She is going back to Stanford to get her 28 staples in her head out and the 3 sutures in her belly button. They had to do a mini liposuction from her belly, like there was anything there! They took some of that fat and created a "fat dam" where the tumor was in order to create a dam between her brain and her spinal fluid. Is that gross or what? Our whole family offered to be donors but no such luck!

I hope that once Adri gets her staples out she will be up for some blog postings. Look for another update tomorrow evening!

Thanks again for everything!
Allison