charliesmum
11-23-2006, 02:12 AM
Zoe Update
Hi to all,
Many thanks for all your kind best wishes for Zoe. The kids and I saw her briefly earlier today and passed on that Topcat had started a thread and that many of you had replied.
Just to update you all on the current situation. Zoe noticed a few weeks ago that her field of vision had narrowed and put it down to needing different glasses...she visited the optician and he couldn't find anything wrong so referred us to a specialist at Lakeland Eye Clinic. After numerous tests, he had an idea of what was going on and sent Zoe for an MRI STAT!!! ( I love that word... it sounds so medical )
Anyway, the MRI confirmed the diagnosis of a tumour on the Pituiatry Gland. In 99% of cases, it is benign but as it was only going to get worse, it had to come out.
To cut a long story short, we went to Tampa General yesterday for a battery of test to see if surgery could go ahead today and she was given the green light. So we were up at 4.15 this morning for a 5.45 check in and surgery at 7.30. They were a bit late getting started so she finally came out at 11.35ish. I came home and got Melissa and Tom at lunchtime and we went back and were allowed to see her for a short while as she was still in the post op recovery area... not designed for visiting. As I write this, Zoe is still there waiting for a bed in the Neurosurgery ICU. She should be moved there in the morning. She will be monitored for about 24 hours and then moved to a room for another 24-48 hours for observation before they let us bring her home.
I was amazed at how well she looked considering she had just had nearly 3 hours of up the nose surgery.
The people of Tampa General have been amazing. I know it is very expensive but the level of expertise and care have been top notch and her surgeon, Dr. Fernando Vale is one of the top men in his field as well as being a Professor of Nuerosurgery for the University. He kept us informed of everything he planned to do and we already have a follow up plan to keep an eye on Zoe for the next year or so.
We will see her again tomorrow so expect another update then.
Once again, thanks for all your kind wishes.
Steve
Hi to all,
Many thanks for all your kind best wishes for Zoe. The kids and I saw her briefly earlier today and passed on that Topcat had started a thread and that many of you had replied.
Just to update you all on the current situation. Zoe noticed a few weeks ago that her field of vision had narrowed and put it down to needing different glasses...she visited the optician and he couldn't find anything wrong so referred us to a specialist at Lakeland Eye Clinic. After numerous tests, he had an idea of what was going on and sent Zoe for an MRI STAT!!! ( I love that word... it sounds so medical )
Anyway, the MRI confirmed the diagnosis of a tumour on the Pituiatry Gland. In 99% of cases, it is benign but as it was only going to get worse, it had to come out.
To cut a long story short, we went to Tampa General yesterday for a battery of test to see if surgery could go ahead today and she was given the green light. So we were up at 4.15 this morning for a 5.45 check in and surgery at 7.30. They were a bit late getting started so she finally came out at 11.35ish. I came home and got Melissa and Tom at lunchtime and we went back and were allowed to see her for a short while as she was still in the post op recovery area... not designed for visiting. As I write this, Zoe is still there waiting for a bed in the Neurosurgery ICU. She should be moved there in the morning. She will be monitored for about 24 hours and then moved to a room for another 24-48 hours for observation before they let us bring her home.
I was amazed at how well she looked considering she had just had nearly 3 hours of up the nose surgery.
The people of Tampa General have been amazing. I know it is very expensive but the level of expertise and care have been top notch and her surgeon, Dr. Fernando Vale is one of the top men in his field as well as being a Professor of Nuerosurgery for the University. He kept us informed of everything he planned to do and we already have a follow up plan to keep an eye on Zoe for the next year or so.
We will see her again tomorrow so expect another update then.
Once again, thanks for all your kind wishes.
Steve