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Corinne's Medical appeal fund

With GOD, all things are possible!!!  Corinne 10/23/2013

Following on a recent serious illness on August 29, my XYL, Corinne was diagnosed with a right temporal brain tumor on September 26, 2013. The presence of the tumor against the optic nerve had caused the loss of vision in the right eye and the left eye was seeing blurry. She was easily fatiqued and there was constant medication to control the situation until surgery could be arranged. It was a race against time...........

There was a great anxiety as to where funding and care would be had, as our family economic situation did not lend itself to a medical resolution. I spent most of October 2013 calling all of the University research hospitals (including John Hopkins, UCLA, UWisconsin, UVermont, Brigham Women's, Dr. OZ, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, etc.) in the USA, (UToronto) Canada , and the (UCLH.NHS) UK that specialise in 'skull base' surgical procedure. Still desperately searching with the perseverance of family and friends, most especially Indeira and Bob; the two most promising sources of assistance were being robustly pursued in a team effort.

 

On October 25, 2013 NIH, Maryland responded with an invitation to join a research program. We reviewed all of Corinne’s CT images. The tumor is extensive and includes the sella turcica and right cavernous sinus, as well as the right side of the middle fossa and the planum sphenoidale.  We would perform MRI, endocrine testing, repeat visual field testing, and possibly an angiogram.  We would anticipate doing surgery after that. She travelled to the USA on November 06, 2013 accompanied by her nurse, and is currently enrolled in research protocol 03-N-0164 / National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke of the National Institute of Health in Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA.

 

As in 'inpatient' of this research hospital, she will receive all of her medical care 'free' of charge. However, once she becomes an "OUTPATIENT" of the program she will be required to fund her own board and lodging while recovering. She is advised that the timeframe is two to several months to complete her recovery and our obligations to the terms of the agreement with the NIH / NINDS.

 

 

These resource links will provide a basic conceptualisation of the types of procedures involved with this condition

                                                                                                                                                             Tumor is 4.9 x 5.4 x 4.4 cm.

                                                                                                           

 

 

 

http://www.mayfieldclinic.com/PE-Pit.htm#.UoyY_8RwoYl

 

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ki26qyOuNU

 

                               

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C8LoQFMcZyc

 

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGyinfxGLLI

 

 

 

http://www.cancer.org/cancer/pituitarytumors/detailedguide/pituitary-tumors-diagnosis

 

 

 

http://www.answers.com/topic/pituitary-adenoma

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steroid_diabetes

 

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/diabetic-hyperosmolar-syndrome/DS00664

 

http://www.neurology.org/content/41/8/1235.short

                                                                

an Especial Thanks to the very many people who are praying for her safe recovery. 

It is greatly appreciated by our family .........

 

Neurosurgery Updates

 

November 06, 2013 -- 15:00 hours UTC

Pre-surgery

 

  1. Admission and a slew of tests.

  2. MRI's with / without contrast agent and additional CT scan

  3. Regime to counteract steriod induced hyperglycemia (could result in coma in the extreme)

 

November 19, 2013 -- 20:00 hours UTC

 

  • Tuesday @ 8:00 a.m. Eastern -- operation utilising the transsphenoidal approach

  • Time in the operating room -- four hours,

  • Tumor type -- Benign Pituitary Adenoma -- (Stage 4 -- invasive type)

  • Some 20 to 30 % of the tumor removed to ease the pressure on the optic chaism

  • In ICU and stable -- knows who she is, and where she is at

  • 11/20/2013 - Back in regular hospital bed after 24 hours in ICU

  • Post surgery MRI indicates that all is well at this stage; eyesight response to be monitored for improvement

  • Further surgery -- additional transsphenoidal procedure and / or craniotomy in a week or two.....

 

December 06, 2013 -- 22:45 hours UTC

 

  • Friday @ 9:00 a.m. Eastern       --       Craniotomy to excise another 60% of the tumor

  • Time in the Operating Room -- eight hours............9 to 5

  • In ICU and stable, was concious and had movement in the right arm etc. -- there can be temporary paralysis sometimes

  • Thank GOD!!!

  • Post-op CT scan has been done and all is looking good; MRI follow-up on Monday or Tuesday coming

  • As expected; in some pain, and sedatives were administered to help her rest

  • Just happened across 'Meet the Robinson's' on television tonight. How karmic!!! This was a movie we both shared just before her leaving for the USA.

  • A HEARTFELT THANK YOU, TO ALL OF THE NINDS SURGEONS AND NURSES, WHO ARE INVOLVED IN HER CARE

  • Back in a regular hospital bed as of Saturday (12/07/13) evening -- quoted as saying, that she felt as though she was 'run over by a truck'   ........

  • Thursday, December 12, -- running a temperature

  • Friday, December 13 -- Oncologist advises that she will be released from hospital to fully recuperate until sometime in March 2014 when a third surgery to excise as much of the remaining tumor mass and radiation therapy will then be considered.

  • Saturday, December 14 -- spoke with her briefly since the operation.... really glad to hear her voice

 

  • Monday, December 16  -- advised to try and get seats by Friday of this week. Called American Airlines who advised that all flights until December 29 are full and that there is a USD 430.00 'availabily fee' plus a USD200.00 'date change fee' per ticket.

  • Tuesday, December 17 -- To be released from hospital this morning -- Her only acquintance in the area can't pick them up until tonight, and can only host them a couple of nights.

  • Friday, December 20 --  After a very stressful up and down week, it is all well tonight. Corinne has arrived safely in NJ after a nine hour road trip ......

  • 73

 

 

       Return to NIH, Betesda

 

 

  • February 01, 2014 -- Road trip from the 'Garden State' to the 'Free State'

  • February 02, 2014 -- Re-admission to NINDS 03-N-0164 protocol with a slew of tests including MRI evaluation for final surgery

  • February 06, 2014 -- After evaluation and discussion with the NINDS Medical Team, it has been determined to forego another surgery, and opt instead for a radiation therapy regime. Some eighty five percent of the tumor had been excised during the two previous operations, and there was some additional shrinkage of the remaining mass, over the past two months. The remaining tumor is in the vicinity of the brian stem and would require especial care and delicacy for further surgical intervention. We are all very happy that no further surgery is required at this time.

  • A five day / five week schedule for radiation will be implimented.

  • Corinne is now at "OUT PATIENT" status and this week is being hosted by a kind family in the Virginia area. Especial thanks to Sonia and Kevin for their very caring and considerate outreach.

  • Radiation completed March 20, 2014 and 99% of tumor believed to be removed.

  • Arrangements in hand to return to New Jersey on March 24 and fly home the following day.

 

 

       Return to SVG

 

 

  • Safely at home on the evening of March 25 ... Marvellous!!!

  • Return to NIH in three months time for follow-up evaluation.

  • Many, many thanks are extended to all whose Prayers, Professional Skill, Kind Hearts and Good Wishes ensured a great and marvellous outcome .......

      

 

       Back To NIH

 

  • Return for post radiation assesment in September 2014

 

 

Sunset -- Saint Vincent and The Grenadines  Thursday December 05, 2013

Many, ManyThanks to all those Amateur Radio Operators who assisted or otherwise provided support in our hour of need .......

 

Our last dance together was at 2:00 p.m. three days before she left SVG. The movie the 'Robinsons' was playing on TV, and she told me that this is one of her favourite songs.........

10/07/2020

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Angel "Cuddles" goes to Heaven

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