An update.

Lynne Farrington Langham I have STEREO again....so much nicer than MONO...what a blessing. Thank you all for your prayers and support!! xoxoxo

November 2 at 9:42pm

Week 2-- a final note from mom.

Week 2

This will be my final note to my blogger daughter Katelyn on the subject of my surgery. I originally thought it would be a drawn out deal, that might help others. It will not be. BECAUSE - thanks to God, I am really doing good and there is not much to talk about. 

I am over the fear I had last week about being able to handle the change in my life. Philipians 4...yep..just spent some time reading, praying..and wow, relief. 

I will continue to pray that I can find ways to feel "normal " again. I do trust, if that is with a hearing implant, diet, etc...I will seek it and do it. 

I do thank each and every person that prayed and thought about my family and me during this time. It was so much more than I expected and really helped us through this. 

I thank my blogger daughter Katelyn Claire for blogging about me. It started as a joke and ended up being a very supportive venue for Kate and me, since we could not be together during this stressful time. 

P.S. I did get the oil out of my hair :)

It's our brain surgery anniversary!

Ok, tonight at 10:30 it will be officially the FIRST POST WEEK of my Brain Surgery.

 

Thoughts

Should I have done this? I have read a few other AN Patient after surgery blogs...this seems to be a very common one. As we all know, when you have to have a procedure that makes you worse in physical condition, but saves your life in the long run. I can answer this wholly and thankfully, yes, I should have. I want to see my kids and grandkids grow up and be 1/2 the grandparent both of our parents have been to our kids. Heck I am still working on being a good wife, mom and co-worker, and friend. I thank God for the courage to go through with the surgery and all my friends and loved ones that prayed for me.

 

I like to do a good job at anything I try. And I did hit this one out of the Park!! Like I bragged about in a previous blog...if they said you could have a symptom afterward... I got it!!

 

 

Prayers:

That I jump out of this FOG..I can't begin to explain, and am realizing today it is the hearing loss. I am a little scared about the hearing deal. I looked up on the net some costs, etc. NOT GOOD..UGH. I just need to chill and pray and have faith about that.

Pray….

That I stay positive

That I stay patient

That I continue to thank and love all those that are caring for me and praying for me. ...and not take any of it for granted

 

Activities:

Walks (nothing much)

I looked up some Vestibular Exercises to strengthen my balance

Chewing gum

Napping (ok...maybe that should not fall under this category)

 

I will check in next week and update with improvement.

 

Goals:

Staples out a week from tomorrow

Walk a lot more

Take frequent trips with Dad and Mom out of the house

Get the oil out of my hair

 

 

More FROM MOM!!!!!!!

Post Op day Three (Thursday)

 

Had a decent morning again and then went downhill, a little, not too bad. Took two pain shots that day, and then figured out, if i quit taking the pain shots, I could get the IV out… so I chose lighter pills after that, and felt better. (I am a weenie and am more afraid of what might come, than just wanting to wait it out and see if I can handle it- in the case of pain :)

Saw both surgeons that night. They both said I could go home in 2 days on Saturday.

 

I was not too thrilled with that, so I grabbed Guy and we started walking the hall way, while he was visiting other patients and we kept talking and cutting up with him. I think he got the hint, because he came back and said we could probably go home tomorrow (or maybe he got tired of us stalking and bothering him on his rounds).

 

So with that good news, we went in the room and decided to work on the INFAMOUS Comb Over. I think it was a stress to our marriage, because I was telling him to COMB it out, and he was looking at this crystallized, greasy, lumpy dark stuff on my head and did not know where to start. We ended up compromising and put HOT rags of water on my head…and then he started ripping and combing. I enjoyed the attention, but I don't think he was having much fun pulling out hunks hair with gunk and fearing what else might happen. He was brave, and I ended the night with a nice slick do instead of a Comb Over. OH MY, not much improvement in the Looks category- but it felt great.

 

Post Op Day Four-

(Friday)

 

Great night!! Slept, (I guess the slick doo was more comfortable to sleep with) did not take any hard pain meds...so that helped me feel better too.

Dad and Guy came in at about 10:00. We talked and I picked at my lunch and got some GOOD fresh fruit from my Mother. Then we walked.

 

I was on a mission to find the Doctor. I figured he would be around in between surgeries, and if I missed him I would have to stay another night.

 

My Dad and Guy went and took some stuff to the car. Dad suggested I stay around and quit walking, so I would not miss him. Well..the minute I started turning into my room, I HEARD his voice at the elevator (yep, he did not take all my hearing!)

 

I got so excited, I literally scooted down the hall ( ok, you have to imagine a very large woman who has bleary sight, bad balance, and is on a mission) and lunged at him. (He is not a large guy) Thank goodness I did not fall on him. I said, I am so sorry to interrupt (yes, the minute I grabbed him, I realized he was in the MIDDLE of a conversation with another doctor!) he laughed, thank goodness, and said he was coming to see me. I started to scoot back to the room, and the other doctor started laughing and asked if I was a patient or employee.

 

Well, the mission was won and we were in route for the Ranch (my parents live in Fair Oaks Ranch, Texas- right outside of San Antonio) by 4:00!! Beat Rush HOUR!!

 

Post Op Day Five-

(Saturday)

 

Slept well last night.

 

Good things:

Not much pain (headache and throbbing)

Easy to get comfortable

 

Bad Things:

Everything on the left side does not work.

No taste

No salvia

No Swalling ability

Eye Dry

Eye Blurry

Lip is numb

smile droops a little

 

Activities:

Two walks outside

little trip to Wal Mart

 

Post Op Day Six-

(Sunday)

 

Same as above. Realized I did mess up my mouth due to being a PIG. (yes, One of my main vices of life) I kept eating stuff, even when it did not feel right trying to get full, and enjoy something. The fruit acid and harder foods, tore up my throat and mouth - so I am taking a more Lady like approach and eating little and soft. Those that know my current physique, understand this will not hurt me. BUT GOSH DARN IT ALL... ya'll should see this goodie basket I got from my co-workers. I NEED TO EAT IT!!

 

HA.

 

Activities: Walk outside

words and thoughts from mom.

Mom’s own words—A look into POST OP Day 1 & 2

 

Post Op starts the day after your surgery, so my first Post op Day was Tuesday April 14, 2009.

 

Post Op Day One:

I was in the ICU until evening….

Kicked me out pretty early, but they were slow, and the nurse, Elizabeth, was so kind, she said she was going to keep me, until they got another patient so she could spoil me more.

I had a good time, No pain (lots of Morphine juice up there) and was situated right by the Nurses Break Room. I said hi and waived to everyone and tried to remember their names when they went in and out. By mid morning, they had a Birthday Party for their supervisor and I told one of the nurses to tell her Happy Birthday for me...since I heard them singing. The birthday nurse came out and offered me a piece of cake. YUM... no I did not take it, but was complimented I was included in the party.

 

Had an ice pack for headache and pressure, - it dripped - freaked me out, I thought it was the big bad CFS (Spontaneous Intracranial Hypotension (SIH) is a condition where a patient gets postural headaches due to a leak of the Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) in the spinal membrane) leak you have to watch out for, but then passed out before I could figure out how to call Elizabeth.

My blood pressure went crazy twice, and Elizabeth just kept on it until medicine worked. I was kinda freakin' about that. I did not want to die of a stroke, when i had lived through all the other. UGH.

 

Got to go to my room. They really went above and beyond and gave me a private room. Of course I said, PLEASE don't charge me for one. They said they try and do that for the folks out of town. Had a pretty bad evening and night, but was doing good by the next day.

 

5:00am on Post Op Day Two

Took a photo with my phone to Text Everyone with my comb-over hair do. Extremely board and awake- I am sure due to all the pain medication. I got up and bathed a little in the bathroom by myself. Felt very daring... changed out of gown into some sweats, then tried to eat some food.

Went downhill the rest of that day. I was trying to get off of medicine and probably should have gone with the flow. I could not get up or move without getting sick. By evening was really cruddy. Got pain meds, IV back and decided to chill and go with all the drugs I could get through that night.

 

 

I think it worked.

more updates

Mom is having a much better day. IV is out and she is eating! Nausea is gone but there are still head aches. (duh.. you had surgery there).......

I talked to mom today she said we need to catch up haha she is making me laugh so much lately!!!

QUOTE OF THE DAY: "Who is your boyfriend these days? (when replied no one she said--) "Well who is your main man then?!"

Keep praying-she is still having terrible headaches & "wicked" nurses....

lots of love.

kate

Sympathy Pain

I cant sleep either haha.

Mom had a good and bad day today. She tried to get off of the IV but the headaches and sickness is still affecting her a lot. She is back on the IV juice. She can't keep food down so we will try again tomorrow. Pray that the headaches will go away.

Bad Headaches!

They took mom off the morphine and she is having terrible headaches.

Dad is searching the hospital for Dt. Mountain Dew for her and nurses are applying warm rags to her head.

She got up to use the restroom already and wants to try to shower by the end of today.

My mom is amazing!!

Words from MOM!!

A 'comb over" just not right on a middle aged woman ! I think i got a whole 1o min sleep ... Coffee & steroids , no sleep BUT no headache~ who needs sleep ! Miss ya'll ! Thank you so much for your prayers - i am doing great. One day down & counting 

Love,

Lynne Anne

prayers of love and we're on the road to recovery.

Dear Mom,

 

YOU DID IT!!

It’s 1:30 am my time but I am going to bed and will rest knowing you are okay.

The doctors said that everything went GREAT!

Were you excited to see Uncle Ernie? I promised Mema that I wouldn’t tell, she would have been not happy with me, I knew all along that he was coming (I am such a good secret keeper haha)!!

I heard you were very polite to the surgeons and the first thing that you said when you were able to talk was “Thank you very much now go home and get some rest”…

And I’m pretty sure you are mad at Dad right now for bringing Uncle Ernie into the room to see you when you were about to as dad says “barf all over”….haha Dad and everyone will be back to see you in the morning right at 10am.

I love you so so so much and I am so PROUD OF YOU.

I’ll be home soon to take care of you and Lesley—

 

P.S. don’t get mad but I had to go to the doctor today haha yes our family is falling a part a little but we’ll be ok.

 

Everyone loves you and I thought you would like to read some of these later.

 

 

 

Meagan Hale at 11:17pm April 13 via Facebook Mobile

Hey I am glad Aunt Lynne is out of surgery. Tell her I love her and I am thinking of yall. Love you

 

Lorrie Palmer Williams at 11:19pm April 13

YAY!!! Thanks for the update and thank you, God, for the good news!

 

Herb Pettit at 11:22pm April 13

That is great news!!! Now the healing begins... I wish we were closer so I could help you guys out.

 

Kelly Hamill Petty at 11:24pm April 13

Glad to hear the great news!

 

Melissa Babcock Winter at 11:25pm April 13

So thankful! Prayers will continue...

 

Glenn D Bonner at 11:32pm April 13

Give he a "gentle" hug!

 

 

Gris Salamanca at 11:49pm April 13

Thank goodness all is well.

 

Mark Johnson at 11:57pm April 13

Been praying for you all!

 

Patty Monroe Thomas at 12:02am April 14

So glad the prayers have worked for you all, we will keep praying for a speedy recovery

 

 

Trevor Bulls at 5:39pm April 13

Guy ... I have been praying for Lynne today. We gathered in staff meeting this morning and spent time praying for her. We love you guys! We are praying for you! I will call you later this evening and see how things went! If you need anything before then, call me ....

 

Kristie Langham Hale at 5:50pm April 13

Guy -- we too prayed for Lynne and the rest of the family in staff meeting today. We are contiuing. Love you!

 

Donna Wardwell Balko at 5:59pm April 13

Hey Guy.....Thanks for the update via FB. Am praying for your family!!

 

Nathan Bauer at 7:27pm April 13

praying for you guys.

 

Lorrie Palmer Williams at 7:38pm April 13

Waiting is hard! Thanks for the update!

 

Steve Birkhead at 11:10am April 13

praying for Lynne and you as well....birk

 

Greg Gillette at 11:57am April 13

Guy,

I will be praying for Lynne, and your entire family.

G

 

Kristie Langham Hale at 12:03pm April 13

We are praying for you. Please call if I can do anything. Love you both!

 

Greg Davis at 12:10pm April 13

Know that youa re loved and Lynne is in the best hands ever..

 

Janice Hopkins at 12:21pm April 13

I am praying for competent and kind medical personnel and for you and Lynne.

 

Lorrie Palmer Williams at 12:35pm April 13

Prayed for you guys this morning. let us know when you hear anything. Love you!

 

Lindsey Perehoduk thinking of you and praying for your mom!


Today's Schedule

Guy Langham Still waiting. After 3 hours, the surgery continues. Thankful for all the prayers and well wishes.

UPDATE--Mom didn't go to surgery until 1:40 Central time.

No news thus far--Dad and Uncle Ernie are patiently waiting at the hospital and will update me as we hear things.

Thank you again for prayers.

love-KC

Mom is in pre-op right now until 12pm central time...

Surgery begins at 12...

more updates coming.

little love notes.

Dear Mom, 

I know that I can't be with you tomorrow (because you wont let me wink wink) but know that I will be thinking about you all day long-I will be taking you to all of my classes tomorrow haha. Know that starting even before you get to the hospital tomorrow people will be on their knees in prayer about everything that will happen tomorrow. You are so strong and I love you with all my heart. Get better soon-we have a lot of office watching to do & if you're nice I might even watch Jane Eyre with you...

P.S. I laughed tonight thinking about you and your crazy clip on your hair when you are in lazy clothes and you dancing around the house---miss you mom. love love love love love love love you.

Love,

Your Katelyn Claire

Love floods us with hope.

Surgery @ 12pm central time.

thanks for the love and prayers.

Her thoughts.

"You have to remember you will be with me. You, Daddy and Lesley will be the last thing I pray about before I envision God's Angels wings wrapping around me ... then I will wake, and everything will be great, and I will start counting down the days until you are HOME. " -Mom

Henry Jack.

Sir Henry Jack Langham

"A dog has no use for fancy cars or big homes or designer clothes. Status symbol means nothing to him. A waterlogged stick will do just fine. A dog judges others not by their color or creed or class but by who they are inside. A dog doesn't care if you are rich or poor, educated or illiterate, clever or dull. Give him your heart and he will give you his.”

Mom’s best friend had to be put to sleep today. Henry was our 185 lb. Great Dane love bug. He was born on Oct. 3^rd, all of the kids in our family are October babies. Henry has been with us through thick in thin all the way from Georgia, to Texas, to Tennessee, and then to Oklahoma. He had a big bark but was afraid of a 5 lb. Chihuahua!!! He loved to sit in your lap and to steal Lesley’s and my stuffed animals. We will never forget the sound of Henry getting a drink in the kitchen-who could?! When he was a baby he LOOOOVED icebones he soon graduated to “cookies”. He was as stubborn as anything – but we loved him anyway. We will never look in the backyard without remembering Henry doing ZOOMIES like he was just a puppy again. Henry didn’t like scary movies—he considered anything with guns or loud music scary-he insisted to be covered up completely at night (on his twin size bed with his baby held in between his paws). He loved to snuggle with mom (they took the best naps together)

 

We love you Henry Jack.

(P.S. I’m sorry I complained about having to pick up your poop!)

Henry—I promise to take care of mom just like you would have after the surgery. You were the best dog ever—Tell Sophie, Gracie, and Charlie we love them and miss them. Love-your sister Kate.

This is my favorite picture of Henry--I'm glad I got to take this with my camera.

Mom's Surgery...

is April 13th (next Monday) at 12pm.

pray for my beautiful mom, her and my dad leave on Sunday for San Antonio--

lots of love.

"baby kate"

Faith.Hope.Love

I was at Starbucks the other day and a friend of mine was talking to me about some things that he has been going through lately...He was shocked at the amount of friends that show up during times of struggle, tragedy, etc.  If you think about it it's true, however I don't think it is a bad thing. God works in mysterious ways and sometimes it may take a tragedy to bring someone into or back into your life. LIFE is busy and full of things that we have to do--school, work, cook dinner, study, exercise, the list could go on and sometimes we get caught up in life, but the truth is that when a friend in our life needs something ESPECIALLY if it is something that is hard for them or there family to deal with our real friends are going to show up. This is a ramble & I feel it is not written well at all but long story short thank you for everyone praying, supporting, and just loving my mom and our family. We wouldn't be able to get through this without your support and all of our friends that continue to point us to our faith and our AMAZING Father who will always love and take care of us. 

I have faith. I have hope. I have love.

Friendship is a special kind of love.

Small update.

Mom goes to Amarillo for pre-op on Wednesday this week.

 

Surgery is scheduled for April 13^th.

big words-but some answers.

After being in San Antonio the doctors now know what kind of surgery mom is going to have—it’s a lot of big words but here is the information.

 

Translabyrinthine Approach

In the translabyrinthine approach, the internal acoustic canal and cerebellopontine angle are approached through a mastoidectomy and labyrinthectomy. There are two goals of bone removal in this approach. The first is to remove enough bone to be able to identify the nerves lateral to the tumor as they course through the internal auditory canal and by the transverse and vertical crests. The second is to expose the dura on the posterior aspect of the temporal bone that faces the cerebellopontine angle. The triangular patch of dura facing the cerebellopontine angle. called Trautmann's triangle, extends from the sigmoid sinus laterally to the superior petrosal sinus above and the jugular bulb below.

In the translabyrinthine exposure, the mastoid cortex is opened and the exposure is directed through the triangular gateway between the facial nerve anteriorly. the sigmoid sinus posteriorly and floor of the middle fossa above. Bone is removed to expose the dura covering the sigmoid sinus and middle fossa, the facial nerve, the angle between the sigmoid sinus and middle fossa dura (called the sinodural angle), and the upper surface of the jugular bulb. The mastoidectomy is carried down to the horizontal semicircular canal, which provides the landmark for identifying the other canals and the facial nerve.

The labyrinthectomy portion of the procedure involves removing the semicircular canals and vestibule to expose the dura lining the internal auditory canal. In the process of removing the semicircular canals, the dura of the middle fossa above the internal acoustic meatus is skeletonized and the dura on the posterior fossa plate behind the canal is exposed. After opening and removing the canals, the vestibule is opened and removed, and the dura lining the posterior half of the internal auditory canal is exposed. Care is required to avoid injury to the facial nerve as it courses below the horizontal canal and the ampulla of the posterior canal and around the superolateral margin of the vestibule. Further bone removal at the lateral end of the canal exposes the transverse and vertical crests and the covering of the superior and inferior vestibular and facial nerves. In removing bone behind the internal acoustic canal, it is important to remember that the jugular bulb may bulge upward behind the posterior semicircular canal or internal auditory meatus. The vestibular aqueduct and endolymphatic sac will be opened and removed as bone is removed between the meatus and the jugular bulb. The cochlear canaliculus will be seen deep to the vestibular aqueduct as bone is removed in the area between the meatus and the jugular bulb. The lower end of the cochlear canaliculus is situated just above the area where the glossopharyngeal nerve enters the medial side of the jugular foramen.

The subarcuate artery or the anterior inferior cerebellar artery may be encountered in the dura of Trautmann's triangle. Commonly, the subarcuate artery, which arises from the anterior inferior cerebellar artery, passes through the dura on the upper posterior wall of the meatus as a fine stem but, on occasion, the subarcuate artery along with its origin from the anterior inferior cerebellar artery may be incorporated into the dura and dip into the subarcuate fossa, on the posterior face of the temporal bone.

 

They told us the surgery would be this Monday but they have already changed it to April 16^th.

Tuesday.

Mom is on here way to the hospital in San Antonio.

more after.

madre.

Lynne Anne Farrington Langham

 

My BEAUTIFUL & wonderful mom was recently diagnosed with acoustic neuroma.

 

What is an Acoustic Neuroma?

An acoustic neuroma (sometimes termed a vestibular schwannoma or neurolemmoma) is a benign (non-cancerous) growth that arises on the eighth cranial nerve leading from the brain to the inner ear. This nerve has two distinct parts, one part associated with transmitting sound and the other with sending balance information to the brain from the inner ear. The eigth nerve, along with the facial or seventh cranial nerve, lie adjacent to each other as they pass through a bony canal called the internal auditory canal. This canal is approximately 2 cm (0.8 inches) long and it is generally here that acoustic neuromas originate from the sheath surrounding the eighth nerve. The seventh or facial nerve provides motion to the muscles of facial expression.

 

Tumors range from small to large; mom’s is the largest. She will most likely lose her hearing completely in the left ear – but we are praying that this may not have to be the case. She has a constant ringing in her head everyday, headaches, and some days facial pain. As it says about the tumors are normally benign, technically, doctors can’t be sure of this until they are able to go in for surgery. Our family has been directed to go to a doctor in San Antonio for the surgery, it is the closest best equipped for this type of surgery. The doctors in Amarillo think that having the surgery in San Antonio will be more of a success and requires less risk factors although further away from home, Guymon, Oklahoma. We are constantly praying for perseverance and guidance throughout this whole process. She has an appointment with one of the doctors in San Antonio on the 24^th, no new information will come until then. Right now she is HOPEFUL and she shows everyone daily how STRONG she is and how much FAITH she has that the Lord is going to take care of her and our family through this journey.

San Antonio

Mom is in San Antonio with Lesley and Dad this week. They are shopping for Lesley 

“the perfect prom dress” for her SENIOR PROM!! This is a picture of Mom with her parents who I am sure are spoiling the three of them as I am writing this.

 

San Antonio is stress free (maybe not this time) but it’s at least a place to relax- a vacation from Guymon Town!

 

Mom meets with the team of doctors at 7:30pm on Tuesday.

 

Keep the prayers flowing.

Acoustic Neuroma Surgery: A Patient's Perspective

by Gary Hunt

Disclaimer: This account is my own and I make no promises as to every medical detail being accurate, the events are as just as I recalled them. Any opinion expressed is entirely my own. I can't promise that each surgery will go exactly like this one, but hope that it offers some insight from a personal perspective. Consult your physician for details.

GO here to read his journal:http://neurosurgery.mgh.harvard.edu/CranialBaseCenter/hunt.htm

Romans 8:28-29

Everything that happens to you has spiritual significance.

Back to the noog.

This is my first night back in Chattanooga after Spring Break.

I don't think today was a good day for mom, her and I have had terrible sinus infections and have been on antibiotics all week. 

She had terrible headaches and face pain today--keep praying.

Lots of love-

Kate

psalm 108 & flowers from a friend

"For great is your love, higher than the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies." 

Psalm 108:4

it starts off with a whisper...

Though precise figures have been disputed, Kind of Blue has been cited by many music writers as Miles Davis's best-selling album, as well as the best-selling jazz record of all time.

 

My family watched an acoustic neuroma surgery today and the surgeon had this lovely album playing in the background.

Made me think of my wonderful friend James Kory “Silky” Wakefield- he means the world to me.