MOMS BACK!!!

Blackwidow_woman · #1 (**permalink**) 03-07-2003, 09:24 PM

hey everyone just poping in for a few to let everyone know what really is going on with Cassie.. Ok she went in at 6 am and the had complacations getting her main line in for blood transfusions, so all prepping was done also and her head halo was secured in place by screws. they finaly started at 11 am and every 2 hrs we got updates as to what was going on with her. they had a very hard time going in as she had a lot of scar tissue from the last time she was operated on.. she had some bleeding during the op. and they gave her a small blood transfusion during that time.. Dr Foody made the right call in not touching the tumor on the brainstem as this would have killed her. he then procceded to the right side of her brain and took tiny chunks and parts of what he could as the tumor has grown into all nerves and this that control all her functions..he didnt want ti try to cut any of those parts as this would have paralized her and caused other damage..yes it was a very long and awful surgery.. the true total amount of time in was 16hrs..she went straight to ICU insted of recovery, Dr Foody sat with us as soon as he was done and talked for a long time with us.. he made it very clear that if AnnArbor would have tried to do what they were gona do they would have killed her.. he explained to us that this was not gona by her any time and that he took out just tiny bits here and there and didnt want to go in to her brain to remove any of the tumor there as this would have caused way to many probs. He said what he did remove will grow back, he also explained to us the tumor has distoyed her cerabelum and that she will not be able to walk as her control of balance is gone.. but we would be able to work with her on trying to help her get around till she learns how to balance herslf.. she has lost some of her voice and can only wishper and she has lost control of her left side of her face her left eye is crossed over to her nose and her left cheek has no feeling and her left side of her mouth is not functioning right as when we made her smile , only the right side of her mouth smiled.. she can use her jaw thank god for that but she will have problems swalloing and chewing.. thank god she can mover her fingers and her toes and pick up her arm and her leg.. my poor baby.. she keeps asking if the doc removed it and we dont know how to tell he no.. dr foody said it will grow back and whats on her brain stem will get worse..Dr foody looked at us and was almost in tears as he said to us how sorry he was he couldnt do more and was not able to remove everything.. this doc has a true heart and he knows what we have to deal with.. My heart breaks everytime i look at cassie and she pulls me to her face and says is it gone ,, i have no face , as she canot feel the left side of her face and she canot see right she sees double. [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_cry.gif[/img] [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_cry.gif[/img] How do i tell her its still there.. all i can do is tell her now you look the same and you look fine and that the doc did his job.. she keeps wantting to know if her hair is all there and we have to put her had up on her head to let her feel that she still has hair.. Her boyfriend has stayed by her side the whole time.. Now its just a matter of getting thru this and waitting to see how the biopsy comes back to let us know if we are dealing with a diffrent type of cancer than what she first had.. This is getting very hard for me to deal with.. but im staying as strong as i can for Cassie.. Now its all about how to deal with the time we have left and any other types of treatment that we can do to help prolong her life.. Dawn has been a big help being there and her daughter being there helps Cassie as she needs kids close to her age around her at this time... I gota go so i will try to be back in few days to fill you all in better.. sorry this is the best i can explain my nerves are really bad and this is where i break down to cry when no one is around.. [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_cry.gif[/img] Love ya all Tracey and Cassie...

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Me,,Wake Up,, Do What, See Who, Go Where, I DONT THINK SO!! Get Lost! If You Dont, Tank Will Make Sure You Do!!!

herp_chick · #2 (**permalink**) 03-07-2003, 09:55 PM

My thoughts and prayers are with you, and angels are all around you [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_cry.gif[/img]
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Boaguy · #3 (**permalink**) 03-07-2003, 11:06 PM

Tell Cassie i sayed hi [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img] It sounds horrible,but I am glad to hear she lived,and has another day ahead! Her boyfriend sounds like a incredible guy.. she must choose them well [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_wink.gif[/img]
Our prayers are with you everyday!

John!!!
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savannah_babe · #4 (**permalink**) 03-08-2003, 12:25 AM

wow..well im glad she made it through all of that. my heart is with you and cassie. i know you guys can make it through this..tell cassie i said hi, and to keep on smiling... my reguards..

-kelly <3
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jpaulson · #5 (**permalink**) 03-08-2003, 12:27 AM

BWW, as I read your latest update, I fight back the tears that are coming on. You are an incredible lady, and Cassie is lucky to have parents that care as much as you do. I have 5 children, and I don't know what I would do if any of them would have to endure what you and your family are goign through.

With each post, I, and I am sure others as well, struggle with the right words to say, hoping that one will be the "magical" one that makes this all disappear..kind of like a bad dream. Try and try as I may, those words just never seem to come. Nothing I can say will even come close to letting you and Cassie know how much I share your pain.

I thank you, Tracey. You have reminded us all, through all your posts, of exactly how precious life is. Each night, I hug my kids a little tighter, and say I love them one extra time.

I wish you the best, whatever that may be. And for whatever comfort it may give you, know that we all here are crying with you. Thats the least we can do.......
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schatzie001 · #6 (**permalink**) 03-08-2003, 12:29 AM

Hey BWW - thanks for the update and please tell Cassie we said Howdy and wish her a speedy recovery.

Bless your heart, we know this has been one tough road all of you are going down, and it seems the bridge is out ahead.

Having you tell us all that Cassie is alert and able to communicate is the most wonderful thing we could have heard. Stay strong for her - it won't be easy but we will all be here to bear you up. [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_wink.gif[/img]

Keep us posted, and God bless you all
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JonnyB · #7 (**permalink**) 03-08-2003, 01:50 AM

BWW I'm speachless I can only say that MY thoughts are with you and the best of luck to you Cassie and the whole family. GOOD LUCK
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shy4574 · #8 (**permalink**) 03-09-2003, 09:34 PM

Just a Note on Cassie. She is doing good today! [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img] She had her hair washed and we played uno. She is ready to go home but the dr says he wants her walking ok first.. They have a few different therapists working with her, one for her eyes and another for body and one for speech. The Dr got 98% of the tumor out the other 2 is on her Brain Stem. They are waiting for the biopsy to see what what they are dealing with now.Then they can figure out what treatment or meds they can use to hopefully treat it..Here is the Address to the hospital if anyone needs it:
Devos Childrens Hospital
C/O Cassie Walden-Rm 7425
100 Michigan NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Will post more when we know more..Tracey and Cassie both say hello [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_wink.gif[/img]
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LdyDrgn · #9 (**permalink**) 03-09-2003, 11:07 PM

That's wonderful news! Hug them for us (Morti and I).
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#10 (**permalink**) 03-10-2003, 05:09 AM

GREAT ! THANX for being there personally for them Dawn. I am sure that it means a great deal to Tracey and all of them [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_wink.gif[/img]
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shy4574 · #11 (**permalink**) 03-11-2003, 05:25 AM

Well, the Dr. said Cassie may be getting out Tuesday. They want her to go over to Mary Free Bed for rehab for a week or two though. So we will see what happens with that tomorrow.. Change of address for anyone is
Cassie Walden
23519 M-115
Tustin, Mi 49688
Still waiting for a pathology report to find out what kind of Cancer they are dealing with now hopefully it is NOT ganglioma(spelling) Tracey will be coming home in a few days so she will post more then.
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Blackwidow_woman · #12 (**permalink**) 03-13-2003, 05:49 AM

[img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_cool.gif[/img] OK, moms back again.. Thanks Dawn for being there and cassie loves to hang out with your daughter!!! Her new found buddy... [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_wink.gif[/img] She looks forward to every visit from you... anyways the 98% was the tumor that was on the brain, yes the tumor is still on the brainstem and inbedded in the brain stem there is no way for them to ever remove that but now they want to try a new cemo with her if they can they will be going to the tumor board to discuss this friday and then next week we take her to the cancer center and the docs there will present us with our options.. Cassie is now in rehab and learning how to walk all over again and to keep her balance as she no longer has her left cerabelum. they will be working with her on her eyes and her mouth and face.. she is very deterimed and wants to come home..I am very very very proud of her and the will she has to keep going.. for all that she has been thru in the last year and a half is enough to make me wonder could i have done what she has and keep going.. well she is and will never give up.. I want to personaly thank all of you who have been there for us and for all your prayers..Boaguy,, she really enjoyed you calling her.. thanks buddy.. [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_wink.gif[/img] Im home for 3 days if anyone wants to know anything il be glad to tell you everything you wana know... cassie will be in rehab for 10 days or so as long as it takes to get her walking again,, Love you all!!!!!!! OUR BATTLE IS NOT OVER YET!!! But thank god we are getting somewhere... [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_cool.gif[/img] Tracey....

_________________
Me,,Wake Up,, Do What, See Who, Go Where, I DONT THINK SO!! Get Lost! If You Dont, Tank Will Make Sure You Do!!

JonnyB · #13 (**permalink**) 03-13-2003, 06:01 AM

glad to hear she's doing well [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img]

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Stormyva · #14 (**permalink**) 03-13-2003, 02:01 PM

BWW.... just to let you know once again, our thoughts are with you through all of this!
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Quakezombie · #15 (**permalink**) 03-13-2003, 06:50 PM

Like JP said ,there are never the words.
So let me say this ...If there is such a thing as a mass of people praying or "willing" her back to health... then put me down on this list.
I would love to hear someday soon how she made a total recovery that baffled the experts.

All the best,
Charles
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vetstudent82 · #16 (**permalink**) 03-13-2003, 10:37 PM

BWW, Cassie's a trooper! I'm glad she's still determined, that'll help her get back on her feet [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img]

Still praying for you two, hang in there!

Michi
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shy4574 · #17 (**permalink**) 03-14-2003, 12:02 AM

I tell ya, When you get a 12 year old and a 14 year old together to play air hockey LOOK OUT!! Them girls had fun last night but that puck went flyin a few times. I snuck my Ball Python into the hospital for Cassie last night too, hehehe Cassie loved it.. Thank goodness none of the nurse found out, they probably would have had strokes [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img] Going up later to see her i know she started Rehab today and as of 1:00 they had already worked her hard so she is probably asleep now, lol.. Laters [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_wink.gif[/img]
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shy4574 · #18 (**permalink**) 03-14-2003, 02:22 AM

Well here we are at MFB and Cassie and Amber are at it agian. LOOK OUT that puck is flying! Man to have that kind of energy again.. Cassie says hello to everyone and she is doing good..[img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img]
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savannah_babe · #19 (**permalink**) 03-14-2003, 03:04 AM

good luck with her give her my love!
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Blackwidow_woman · #20 (**permalink**) 03-14-2003, 07:38 AM

[img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_cool.gif[/img] aaaawwww thanks Dawn she really enjoys you being there for her and playing with Amber.. I talked to her alittle while ago and she was laughing and talking about how much fun she has with you.. She was also telling me how they had her doing things to help her improve her seeing, they had her reading and writting.. she said she was pooped out after all her therapy.. lets just hope she keeps going and can walk on her own soon and that her eyes improve and her speech gets better.. WAY TO GO BABY!!!!! MA LOVES YA TONS CASSIE!!!!! [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_wink.gif[/img] [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_wink.gif[/img] [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_cool.gif[/img]
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