March 6th

Tom was doing much better with his speech today.  He went home in the afternoon.  He was tired and confused, but those issues are similar to the last time he had a surgery, so we are assuming he will be OK in a few days, as he was before.   Pray for good rest for Tom.

We are very thankful for the amazing doctors and nurse staff at Loyola.  Bryan said it was in some ways "comforting" to be back in his Dad's old room at Loyola, because they had spent so much time there this past summer.  What a difference to have Tom awake and able to make his own memories there this time!  Bryan's mom was able to catch up with some of his past nurses as well.

Please continue to pray for Tom as he recovers from the procedure.  Please pray for Nancy as she cares for him.  He has come so far, it is hard when there are steps backwards.  Pray for continued progress and hope.

Praising God that all the scans looked great and he is doing well.

Thanks as always for praying for us,

Brenna

March 5th

It has been a LONG day.

The angiogram at 10 seemed to go well.  However, as he was recovering Bryan said that Tom was having speech problems.  The doctors were concerned that he had another stroke, or that the dye that was injected to take the images of the vessels in his brain was having a bad side effect.  So, Tom was given a second angiogram around 3.

The second angiogram went well, and showed no signs of a stroke.  Tom still has speech issues, "speech aphasia," which is somewhat common with stroke victims, but not for him before today. 

Tom is staying overnight tonight for observation.  As only God could plan it, he is staying in the same ICU room he did when he was in a coma in July! The doctors do not know what is causing this aphasia, but they are 99% sure it is not another stroke.

Tom is doing very well.  He is frustrated with his speech, but overall doing well, and I guess was pretty hungry after the long day.

Praise God for the great nursing staff and that all of his doctors were there today.  Praise God it is not another stroke!

Praise God that he is in the best place under the best care possible tonight.  Please pray for rest for Tom, Nancy, and Bryan.

Please pray for some answers to the speech aphasia.  We are really hoping it will "wear off" tomorrow!

Thanks for your prayers,

Brenna

March 4, 2012

Thank you for praying for Tom's cataract surgery in the end of January.  I realized I never updated that it went well, and he is seeing much better.  He is to follow up with a regular eye doctor at some point to see if his prescription changed, but as for now, it is a lot better.

Tom started therapy at a new facility a few weeks ago.  He has therapy 3 days a week, but not as long as before.  So far, it is going well, and they enjoy the new therapists and the close drive.  Please continue to pray for progress for Tom.

Tomorrow, Monday March 5, Tom will have an angiogram performed at Loyola at 9 AM.  The doctor that placed the coil (that repaired the aneursym) will be performing the procedure.  They will shoot dye into the vessels in his brain, to see how they look, and I assume see how the coil and shunt are doing.  There are always some risks with procedures like this, so please pray for wisdom for the doctors.  Also pray for a smooth and quick recovery for Tom.

Thank you for your prayers,

Brenna