Grin and (Teddy) Bear It

This is it! The final day. The final night. The final time to goof off with my nurse team. The final hours in my bed. The final assembly of the bathroom squad. The last time my tumor shall continue to exist. That's right. Tomorrow is D-Day #2, the removal of this small seizure-causing lump that we discovered in May 2016. 

After a last-minute Dr. check yesterday, we found that the area they will need to remove in surgery is completely clear of my language and speech function. The only weird side-effect? I will have some strange tongue feelings for a day or 2. My voiceover career will take off immediately methinks. 

The more superficial half of me is just glad I will soon be able to condition my Italian mane of hair. It's already half gone, but the drier it gets, and more days since being washed go by, the less of a mane I shall maintain. Sigh. Sometimes it's the little things. 

But I can't help but be overwhelmed by the week. Less from the approaching tumor removal surgery and more from the incredible generosity and support from EVERYONE. Plates of cookies and brownies, a beautiful display of flowers, my new huggable bed buddy teddy bear, a DORY, and an entire set of recovery items like Flarp and Sudoku....I am just entirely taken aback by the sheer love and support that I have continued to get from all places.

Every card, Facebook comment, like, blog read, hospital visit....everything....is keeping me at my inner 6-year-old energy. It's helping me keep a smile through my awful new haircut and human leash of wires. It's gotten me through this week, and ready to add the badass term "brain surgery survivor" to my resume tomorrow. 

So, dear everyone: THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart. This week has been less of a pain than I imagined because of you all, and tomorrow will no doubt be a success! All it's taught me through this time is, just as our friend Dory says, "Just keep swimming!" Because, yes. You CAN get through whatever. Love and support comes from places you'd never expect, and a network of hands that hold you up during times like these will no doubt have the strength to catch any kind of trip or fall you might have. 
This week, yes, has had headaches and nausea and boredom...but it has also had friend visits and teddy bears and unexpected cards of reassurance and fun children's animated movies. Every rose might have it's thorn, but it's still a rose. And by Friday, that's what I'll have done. I'll be saying, "I rose from surgery just fine, and seizure-free." Then soon, you'll all have to watch out on the roads, because my license will work again! 

It's the final countdown...so let's do this!!

UPDATE! I HAVE BEEN FREED! My incredible team of nurses and techs have unplugged me from my brain leash! Yes indeed, smiles all around. And my dad looking lost!