We're Off To See The Wizard....

After Whitmor's Ribbon Cutting Ceremony today in Southaven( I'll post pictures later), Deirdre and I are on our way to Nashville, whilst Jimmy and Nick follow behind us an hour or so later.

I need to be there early enough to get a chest X-Ray done at the hospital and maybe have some time afterwards to RELAX...They were supposed to have done this last week when I was there for all my pre-op lab work, and I DID ask before we left if there was anything else we needed to have done while we were here, and of course they said 'No'....( If everything was to go smoothly I would think the Earth was spinning backwards....so that is par for the course.)

My crainiotomy is supposed to start at 7:30 AM tomorrow morning (Thursday), and should last around 5 or so hours. It is being performed by the 'wizard' you see above in the picture. His name is Dr. Reid Thompson, and he is the same surgeon who did Nick's brain tumor removal last year. He specializes in brain surgery only; everything from the skull base upwards only....no spinal cord, or peripherals....just the noggin's contents. He performs over 250 brain surgeries a year, which is why we chose him. He's got a little experience! You should check out his CV!http://www.vanderbiltbraintumorcenter.com/

I am so thankful for everyone's support and prayers for me and my family through this adventure. The definition of what friends are has been expanded greatly, and God has given me some of the best support around. I especially want to thank ( I'm doing this now because I may be slobbering and a little dull upstairs for awhile...actually 'dull' would be nice...I hope I AM dull upstairs for awhile...that beats vertigo and panic attacks any day!) my friend Deirdre Holmes Ungren for taking vacation time from work to come with us and help out in Nashville. I didn't even have to ask...she's on top of it, and makes sure it is done. :) She doesn't know how much of a help this is to us...

My cousin Rhonda who came in from Fort Smith , AR and is staying at the house while we are gone and when we get back for a while...As soon as she found out what was going on she jumped in and volunteered to come and help. Another true angel!

Mary Stone, Pat Frazer, Genny Kilpatrick , Brenda Ross and Terry Hobbs: These guys make up my small group at church(Heartsong), and have been there for me through this whole thing and beforehand with prayers and shoulders to cry on and support like you wouldn't believe!

Barbara and Jim Watt- These guys and their prayer intercessory team have brought me a new sense of peace and I am so thankful that they exist. Barbara and Jim are like an extra set of grandparents and are always a phone call away w/ prayers and support. I love you guys!

Thanks to all my friends and family who have been here for me, Jimmy and Nick.

I am sure the next few weeks or so are going to be 'fun', but I pray that we get this thing out, behind us, and that I can start living again w/o the visual issues, dizziness and anxiety. I am really looking forward to a vacation somewhere like Hawaii ( hint-hint Jimmy), or my favorite place on earth so far...Montana.

I've noticed while looking for info online about everything brain tumor related, that alot of people name their tumors...Yes, name them, like 'Ted' or names of characters in movies that were mean , etc. If anyone can come up w/ a catchy name for my meningioma that I like, I'll use it from now on...Send your ideas to my email at wendyfels@reagan.com ( changed  since then ) 

Well, I'll see how I feel in the next few days or weeks and see about getting on the computer and trying to post some stuff. I hope I remember how to! Geeezzzz...I'm only 41 :)

Love Ya' All!

Wendy