Biopsy Day

A woman is like a tea bag - you can't tell how strong she is until you put her in hot water.
Eleanor Roosevelt

It's biopsy day, and we've been waiting more or less patiently since the hospital staff first woke Mom for her MRI this morning at about 6:15 am. (So much for 7:30 am, which is what we were told.) She has been sleeping on and off since then. They should come get her for surgery prep around noon. Her neurosurgeon (a native German who speaks with a charming combination German-and-Texan twang) said he won't even need to shave her head for the biopsy. Mom's dreams of a punk rock 'do will have to wait.

Unfortunately Mom has been feeling the effects of her illness, steroids and anti-seizure medications a lot today; she's very groggy and has lost feeling in her right arm. She can still move it and was able to walk a little, though, so we're just monitoring her closely for now. She's trying to be upbeat, but it's very hard to see her lose any ground.

One interesting phenomena about this experience is that once we became aware of the brain tumor, suddenly we heard of many people in our lives who experienced the same illness (and survived), and we now read about news stories or research findings. It's like God pulls these stories of hope together and sends them our way, just when we need them most.

Today I saw news that my colleagues at Brown University created a living 2-D model of a brain tumor to better understand how to design a cure:

Researchers make living model of brain tumor | Brown University News and Events

And according to Twitter, today is Brain Tumor Thursday. Coincidence or divine intervention? Either way, it's not a fun holiday, but it's designed to raise awareness and funds for research. If you're so inclined, consider giving a donation towards research and awareness; two reputable and well-run charities are:

• American Brain Tumor Association (located down the street from my house in Chicago!)
• Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation (located in Mom's home state of North Carolina)

As always, thank you for keeping Mom in your thoughts and prayers today.