Notes from Norman

The Tumor Tumult (1)

Today I went to our local imaging center for an MRI on my brain. They were not looking for a tumor, but they found one. I had just completed my tests, and started making plans for breakfast when a lab tech told me not to leave. A few minutes later she came back and told me that my family doctor wanted to see me in his office immediately. That’s never good news.

When I arrived, he told me they did not find an evidence of arterial venous malformation (which is what they were looking for). So far so good. The next step was not quite so good. I was told about and actually shown a tumor at the base of my brain. It appears to be benign, but it threatens my spinal cord. If it is not removed I run the risk of becoming quadriplegic.

That changed my outlook on the entire day. I don’t feel any ill effects, but I’m dealing with a serious problem, one that seriously curtails my activities until we can get the surgery taken care of. The doctor has told me that I cannot mow the lawn, jump on a trampoline or play basketball. Miz Ann has become my chauffeur.

My doctor said, “This is a gift from God. Had we not tested you for this other problem, we wouldn’t have found it.” Right now I feel an amazing peace. There’s nothing I can do about the problem on my own, so I’ll just put it in the hand of God and trust him.

As the days pass, I plan to write down my thoughts about this “tumor tumult.”

posted by Norman @ 7:12 PM