Monday, June 23, 2008

The Surgery Was A Success!!!!!

Michelle made it through the surgery with flying colors!

The two neurosurgeons that performed the surgery said they achieved each of their objectives, without any complications. The primary goal was to coagulate or shrink the cerebral tonsils that were restricting the flow of Michelle’s cerebral spinal fluid; this restriction of CSF was the root cause of all of Michelle’s symptoms. Following the procedure, both surgeons confirmed that they were able to restore Michelle’s CSF flow to normal levels (probably to a level greater than she has ever experienced in her life). Great news!!!!!! They were also successful in creating a "patch" by harvesting a portion of Michelle's skull. This patch will help keep the cerebellum from falling down in the future.

We haven’t gotten in to see her yet, but will be allowed to visit her, one at a time, while she is in recovery. Michelle will remain there for the rest of the night and will be moved into the neurosurgery ICU, where she will stay for the next two days. Thursday morning she will be transferred one last time into a general room, and we hope that she will be fit to go home on either Saturday or Sunday.

The hard part for Michelle starts now, as she will be in considerable pain for the next four to five days. However, this pain will diminish with each passing day and with luck all of Michelle’s symptoms will be gone.

Thank you all for the love and support that you have given Michelle over the past few weeks. Your words filled her heart with joy and gave her the strength to endure the last few days, which were very difficult for her. I doubt if Michelle could’ve gone into surgery feeling more loved than she did. She is blessed with a wonderful support system and will need all of you during her recovery.

More to come, and thanks for staying tuned.

30 comments:

Anonymous said...

I'm very happy to hear that everything was a success. I was hoping to see you guys this past weekend, but unfortunately it wasn't able to happen. I will see you soon. All of my thoughts are with you for a full and speedy recovery. Love ya!!!

Mike Wichart

Anonymous said...

I am so happy to hear that everything went well! As always, my thoughts and prayers are with you. You will be back on your feet in no time! With all my love,
Anna Marie

Anonymous said...

I'm happy to hear everything went well!!! You are a very strong person and will be back on your feet in no time. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Chad Yarlagadda

Anonymous said...

As Nanny would say... "My Beauty Belle". I thank the Lord as ALL our prayers were answered for a successful surgery. And I know and believe through the power of prayer that you will have a thorough speedy recovery. I Love You Michelle with all my heart and soul. Not only are you my niece and Goddaughter, but you have always been thought of and will continue to be thought of as my daughter! I send to you my love, hugs & kisses from me and Andrew. We will be there soon to see you!

And to Aaron, words can't say what need to be said, but I thank you from the bottom of my heart for being the pillar of strength for Michelle in this difficult time, I Love You too!

Love & continued prayers,
Aunt Paula, Andrew and John.

Anonymous said...

This is great news!!!! I love you guys so much. When this is all over, it's party time for sure. Hang in there.

All my love and prayers,
Hook'em Heidi

Anonymous said...

We hoped + we prayed = HE answered.
God is our refuge and strength, and a very present help in trouble. - Psalm 46:1

And we will continue to ask HIM for all the blessings for you Michelle & Aaron.

John S.

Anonymous said...

"The love of our friends and family can be so strong that it can help us through the most difficult of times."
-Author Unknown

Anonymous said...

We are so incredibly happy to hear that everything went well. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. You are a wonderful strong woman and we admire all that you have endured. You were missed on Saturday!

Joanna & Steven

Anonymous said...

hey michelle!

i am so glad you made it through the surgery ok! i got the news through the myspace bulletin frank posted. kudos to aaron for explaining your condition so thoroughly. i really hope you make it through without any serious complications. all of my love and support to you and your family!

xo...cindy

JT said...

Hi Michelle! I am glad to hear that everything went well! I am keeping you in my thoughts and prayers. Get better soon so that we can all go out for drinks.....on Frankie of course:)

Anonymous said...

dear michelle;
you have such a wonderful support system in your family and friends, you are always in our hearts and in our prayers. we are all praying for your speedy recovery.

love paulette and bobby

Anonymous said...

I was so happy to hear that all went well. I know God would answer our Prays. I know you will recover quickly. As I said you are a very strong woman and will be chaceing that man of your around soon,,lol.
God Bless and see you soon.
What all Our Love
Jo and Lydia

Anonymous said...

Wishing you a speedy recovery!

Love & prayers,
Dawn Hebert

Anonymous said...

I am so happy to hear that all went very well. Thanks you Aaron for all the updates. My thoughts and prayers have been with you all since I found all this out....

All my love always

Frankie T

Melisa said...

AWSOME!!! CONGRATS!!! Stay strong... See ya soon.

Anonymous said...

We are happy to hear that everything well and was a success. Please know that both Audrey and I are thinking about you and are looking forward to seeing you soon.
lots of love
Tim & Audrey

Anonymous said...

Michelle, I couldn't love you more had you been my daughter. When you were born I ironically said to your mother that you were the daughter I would never have. I am forever grateful to that primary care physician who saw what other couldn't, & to your tenacious spirit. You faced this with strength & commitment. You light my life with joy & there are no words to explain how I felt when I got that call. God & the Universe has answered our prayers. It is through you, we have all been blessed.

Aaron, what can I say. I observed you in total surrender to my niece & to the highest good of your love. You do it with an open heart & it is a privilege to see. Thank you for showing me what love is, I will be eternally grateful to you, I know it exists. Aaron, you will remain in a very special place in my heart.

In light & love
Aunt Jacki

Anonymous said...

It is great news that the surgery went well, i am very happy to hear that news. My prayers and thoughts are with you always!!!

Tracey T

Mike Barnett said...

So glad to hear of the success! You've both been through so much. I'm sure now that the surgery is done, it will all be in the past and the good times can roll. Can't wait to see you guys.

Mike

Anonymous said...

Whew!!! Nice Job Michelle!!! Knew you could pull this off. Got some down time ahead of you. I'm here (all summer)if and when you need me. So happy that you have someone like Aaron to support you through this. He's been a rock. Lots of love and Hugs to you both. XOXO -Jenn

Unknown said...

WHOOOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!
I've been thinking about you all day today...wondering if you are awake and talking and if I should begin the process of annoying hospital staff (and Aaron) to get in touch with you. Even though I couldn't be there with you, my heart was there every step of the way. I'm praying for you that the pain from recovery subsides quickly and that you feel better than you ever anticipated. I just want you well again. I already know the first story I'm going to tell you..a funny conversation between your dad and my mom that was oh-so-true. I love you so much and I can't wait to see you. I'll bring you lots and lots of DUNK when I fly up!
SI CHICKENS!!!!

LOVE, CHERYL

PS - Aaron, thank you for taking care of my BESTEST! You are an incredible husband.

Anonymous said...

We're very happy to hear that the sugery was a success. We will continue to pray for you.

B & Marlena

Anonymous said...

Michelle,
We all are praying for a speedy recovery with minimum discomfort. Keep your focus on the great days ahead while you muster strength to do all that is required in rehab. We love you,
Myke'lle, Craig, Marlee, Jay, Sonya and Lance

Anonymous said...

Michelle my bell!!We are so happy and relieved that the surgery was a success!! As you know my thoughts and prayers are always with you and Aaron. Aaron thank you so much for always taking good care of Mishi!! I love you both and will see you soon. I love you Damon&Jackie

p.s. when you get better we will have to go back on tour!

Anonymous said...

michele;
we are all wondering how you are progressing, our thoughts and prayers are with you all.

love paulette & bobbi

Unknown said...

So good to hear all went well! Our thoughts and prayers are with you guys.
Heidi & Patrick

Anonymous said...

We are so glad to hear that the surgery was a success and it sounds like rehab is off to a good start. We love you both and we are praying that Michelle continues to do well and that her recovery is quick.
Lots of love from Texas!
Apryl, Scott, Mikayla and Hunter

Unknown said...

HI LOVE! Glad to hear you are up and about. I just arrived in Baltimore and I'll have to give a presentation tonight and tomorrow morning. Keep your fingers crossed that I don't have a weird drooling moment when I'm up there talking!! I wish I could call you right now so that you could give me a pep talk. Of course everyone in my fam is asking about you, and they all say hi and wish you well. Keep up the good work with rehab so you can get out of there soon! Miss you lots and can't wait to talk to you. SMOOCHES!

Love,
Cheryl

Anonymous said...

Hi Baby girl,

Sorry I took so long to write, but I've been too busy looking at you to tear myself away. You are so beautiful, even in bandages, that I just couldn't stop looking.

My heart cried with happiness when you slowly waved your fingers at me as I called your name in the recovery room and I cried real tears when the PA pushed your head even more to the side during your PT and you burst into tears from the pain.

You make your mother and I so proud with your strength and determination. Keep it up and you'll be out of here in no time.

Aaron, I love you for your unwavering love and support of Michelle during all this. I know she never could have done this without you. Thank you again for taking such good care of my daughter.

I love you with all my heart sugarbaby.

Daddy

Anonymous said...

Hey Michelle,

I am Chris from the band Supernova. Erica sent the link to this website.I just wanted to send my love and prayers and wish you a quick recovery. Get well soon.