Home Sweet Home again...

After 18 days at Northwestern Memorial, I was so happy to go home! I arrived home the day before my birthday (Dec. 18). The kids were so excited that I was home and that we could celebrate. It was very low-key, but nice to be home in my own bed. Lots of hanging out & cuddling on the couch with the kids watching movies...

On December 23rd, I had to return to Northwestern for a day of appointments. I got clearance to remove my sutures and staples. I was sent for an ultrasound of the hematoma in my left thigh & unfortunately, it had grown 7 cm from the previous scan. The infectious disease docs felt that I was still bleeding into that area, making it difficult for me to walk due to the pressure. They wanted me to go to the hospital on Monday, December 28th to have it drained. They also told me to me see Dr. Bendok on Jan. 4th.

The day after my staple removal, I noticed that there was a squishy area developing at the base of my neck again (where I had the original collection of fluid). I immediately paged the neurosurgeon & was told that as long as it wasn't draining to relax and keep my appt on the 4th.

Christmas Eve was wonderful. I went to see the lights in Lincolnwood with my family, went to church & then to my Aunt's home in Niles. It was great to eat good homecooked food & be with family. Christmas morning was great. The kids got everything they had asked for. I even got five pairs of pajamas! That afternoon, we went to my cousin's house in Naperville & once again celebrated with family and food! We sang our traditional songs & had a fabulous time.

Yesterday, December 28th, I went to have the hematoma in my left thigh drained. They felt it was still bleeding into that area and put in another drain. They decided to admit me to be given platelets and to watch the bleeding. On admission, the resident was mashing the fluid collection in my neck & about an hour later it started leaking. The neuro group was then called. They ordered a stat MRI to make sure that the meningicele did not reoccur in the brain. I got platelets and went for the MRI last night. Today I am still waiting for full results. However, they said that the big cyst did not come back in the brain. Rather, it is just under the skin. However, they don't know where it's coming from. Therefore, I have many different doctors coming in to see me today. I hope to be home tomorrow!

I hope your holidays were merry & that everyone got what they wanted from Santa. I will post more later after seeing all the docs...