Neurosurgeon Follow Up

Dad had a follow up with the neurosurgeon yesterday and everything went well. He had a cat scan and the ventricles are the right size, everything looks normal, etc. Great news!

While meeting with the Physician's Assistant, Dad asked if Dr. Durwood was available as he really wanted to meet the man that saved his life. The PA said sure and Dr. Durwood spent about 20 minutes with Mom and Dad. One question they had was around the "consistency" of Dad's blood during the surgery (basically, the heart doctors were interested to know if Dad was on the right dose of blood thinners). Apparently, normal is b/t 2 and 3 and Dad's blood was 2.5 - so he was right where he was supposed to be. Dad was able to stand up, shake hands, and thank the man that saved his life and I know this was very important to him.

During the conversation, Dad said that Dr. Durwood mentioned how in all of the procedures he has done like this, Dad is definitely the best case he has seen. Obviously, many don't make it and if they do, they have severe limitations. It truly is unbelievable.

With the Natasha Richardson tragedy, I have thought even more and more about how lucky we truly are. Although Natasha's injury was from a fall, it was nevertheless a brain bleed like Dad suffered. And she was a healthy 45 year old woman. What a testament to my Dad's inner strength.

Mom and Dad also dropped off gifts for the staff in the therapy wing and Dad said that everyone was complimenting him on how he looked, how he was walking, etc. An aide from the stroke ward came up and gave him a hug, asked how Jacki was doing, and told him how good he looked. Another testament to how well Dad has been handling all the trauma he has been through and how people remember him (and his family).

We are headed to Nebraska tomorrow and I can hardly wait for the boys to see their Nana and Pop. I don't think I have ever been so thankful to be going home with my boys - it is truly special that they will be able to see their Pop. What a blessing.