This is Jenifer posting for Heather. Heather made it through surgery an hour early. Everything appears to have went well. They believe that they have removed all of the one tumor that they were after. She is in recovery and can move her hands and feet. She will be moved to ICU after she's done in recovery. She is still at risk for infection. They will reassess her tomorrow and determine when she might be discharged. Thank you everyone for your prayers!

Here we go!

I thought I would write one last time before I leave. My surgery is scheduled for tomorrow (April 28) at 2:00pm. Breathe.... I think I am ready. All of you have been so supportive it is crazy! I didn't know how many people could share so much love! It really means a lot to my family and I. I don't know how to thank you all!
Yes, I am feeling a bit anxious now. It is basically not knowing what to expect after the surgery, but it will all be in God's hands and it is all for his benefit! Kevin and Jen (my sister) will be updating my facebook and blog for you, so check frequently.
I just want to take a minute to tell you how much I appreciate your love and support! My friends and family have played a very important role in helping me keep my positive attitude. This entire journey has been difficult at times and without your love, it would have been too easy for me to feel sorry for myself and remain sick.
Regardless of the outcome of this surgery, I love you all and this is all God's will in my life! He has a plan for everybody, so remember that if life gets you down, it is all part of the plan and it will pay off in the end! Thank you again for all of your kind words, actions, love and support!

Heather Shannon

Surgury Comming Up

Welp, I saw the surgeon today. It was pretty good. I feel extra confident about this whole thing. The surgery will be next Thursday, April 28 sometime in the afternoon at U of M in Ann Arbor. He will remove the tumor in the left side back of my brain. He expects the operation to last 5-8 hours, but he was very clear that "it will take as long as it takes". I absolutely LOVE this approach. He will go in, remove the tumor, then put a plate and small screws in my head before closing it all back up. Nobody is allowed to ask me if I have a screw loose either! haha.
Anyway, recovery shouldn't be too bad. I will not be allowed to have pain meds that make me tired because they need to monitor my nervous system and brain function when this is over. I will be in ICU for a day after surgery, then a regular room in the hospital for 2-3 days. So if everything goes as planned, I should be coming home on Sunday or Monday.
We were worried about the vision issue. He seems to think that I could lose my vision on my right side or even have a "black spot" in a focus area. If this should happen, it should eventually heal. After coming home, I should be able to walk around (with severe headaches) and the first week should be the worst. Week by week, things should get better. I will of course be restricted with activity and work type stuff, and I will not be able to drive for four weeks. Then things should be back to normalish.
The doc also said that after all that I have been through with my leg surgery and other meds that I have put my body through, this recovery should be quite rapid and simple. I am feeling like this will be really easy. I hope I am realistic and not too optimistic.
So, how can you help? I will need people popping by the house so I am not alone at least for the first week. After the kids get home, I will need help with rides too and from school and soccer stuff. I want the kids to live their normal lives as much as possible once they come home.
One more thing, I went back and read all of my blogs the other day, and I have failed to mention what kind of cancer I have. I can't believe that. In March 2005 I was diagnosed with Alveolar Soft Parts Sarcoma. You can google it as ASPS. If you are trying to tell others, it is cancer of the muscles and soft tissues. I apologize for that!
One more thing. I found out today that the surgeon can do this surgery without cutting, shaving or touching my hair. Many of you have raised funds for my family by promising people to shave your heads, so the head shaving party will go on. In appreciation and love for your fund raising and support, I will still shave my head (radiation will make the hair fall out eventually anyway). Please don't feel obligated to change your appearance for me though. BUT, still stop by the salon on Saturday for a Mimosa, laugh and hug. It would be nice to still see all of you before I go in for this surgery.
Please forward this, pass it on or whatever. Thank you for all of your support and enthusiasm through all of this. I had no idea how many of you would be so supportive! You all have been helping my family and I through this in so many ways it isn't imaginable! I don't thing I can thank you enough!
Well, this is God's next step in my life and I can't wait to see how He is going to use this later! See ya on Saturday!

Heather

Kinda New Stuff

So, I went back to the doc yesterday. It was much more positive and relaxing! The current plan is as follows... The surgery has been approved by all of the neurosurgeons at UofM. This is a good thing. I will be going in about two weeks for the pre-opt testing and consultation. We will discuss more detail as to what to expect with the surgery and recovery and stuff. The doctors seem very confident that upon removal of the large tumor and radiation of the smaller tumors, we will be back to where we started with just dealing with the lung mets (which haven't grown any). The biggest risk to the surgery would be that I could lose most to all of my vision. I have been lucky enough though to see a lot more than other people in a lifetime though. The doc says that this will disable me more (more, really?) only because of vision and he has had a handful of patients that this has happened to and the survival is very good. Even 15 plus years when caught in time. So, two weeks until consultation, then another 1-2 weeks til surgery. If things go as planned the hospital stay will be about 3 days and home recovery will be only 4 weeks with restrictions for 6 weeks. I seem very confident that this is going to work and the team at u of m also seems confident about this. This is our speed bump and before summer is over, I will be back in my chair sitting outside enjoying every minute that God has given me! Thanks again for your encouragement and support. I will be keeping up on this more frequently as I can, so check back often. Love you all! Heather Shannon

Here it is

Welp, here is the newest news. I have no easy or light words to say this, so I will explain what is going on the best way that I can. I will be blunt. This isn't easy to hear or easy to say, so this is a warning. I had an MRI on my brain yesterday because of some headaches and vision issues. The MRI came back that I have four tumors on my brain. The largest one is on my right side in the back and is about 2cm. This will have to be removed with an operation. The others are near the top of my brain, one sits on the part that is in charge of motor skills and the other on part that is in charge of sensation. I don't remember what the fourth tumor is about. The treatment will be...Surgery on my largest one. As of right now, worst case scenario will be that I will lose my vision, but that is unlikely. Losing part of my vision is very likely though. After surgery, the rest of the tumors will be zapped with radiation. This will take a couple of visits to UofM, and I am not sure how it is going to work. The prognosis.... Nobody can put a time on our life! Yes according to text books, it doesn't look good, but it is all in God's hands and His will determines the prognosis. I am thinking that we will be fine after this is done. Another long road, but it will only make me stronger. I understand sadness and stuff at this point, it isn't exactly good news, but it is what it is. The cookie has crumbled and now we just have to pick up the pieces (or search for the chocolate chips). Doctors at UofM seem to be pretty upbeat and easy going about this process so that gives a little hope. If you have any questions, please don't be afraid to ask. I like sharing my story with other people. I couldn't ask for better friends or family at this time. Thank you so much for your love and support. All of you have been special to me and you are all great in different aspects of my life! Thanks again! And please don't be afraid to send and email or anything if you have questions or comments. If you didn't subscribe to my blog, my email is hbshannon@msn.com Love you all! Heather Shannon