For those of my good friends who aren't aware or maybe you are but just would like an update...I had brain surgery on Thursday, August 16, to remove a colloid cyst from the third ventricle of the brain. This simply means that a cyst had developed and was blocking the draining of the lymphatic fluid from the brain causing hydrocephalus or water on the brain. To prevent a massive stoke and help to reduce high blood pressure and a host of other issues, this cyst had to be removed as it could result in so much pressure on the brain as to cause death. This cyst was found as a result of a car accident back in March. It was not caused by the accident, but found as a result of the tests from the accident. Praise the Lord for his divine intervention in bringing this to the attention of my doctors. I went to Dr. Luciano, chief of neurosurgery at the Cleveland Clinic...a very renowned surgeon in this field. I felt very comfortable with him from the beginning and even more so when he prayed for me and with me regarding my surgery and asked God to guide him in the best way to remove the cyst and for my complete healing. I understand that the entire skin of the cyst was not able to be removed because of the amount of important blood vessels that were involved and he thought it was best to stop. I think the only issue with leaving part of the skin is that the cyst could not possibly come back. I don't know what those odds are but I am sure it was better to leave it than to cause a massive brain bleed during the surgery. I had prayed and prayed and had turned the entire situation over to God early on. He walked with me and I was at peace with this situation even going into the surgery. They asked me before surgery if I was nervous and I said no. Of course I had to rate it on a scale of 1 to 10. When I said maybe a two maximum, they asked why I picked a two. I told them that God was walking with me and he promised that he would be with me always and that was enough for me!!! Who better to take care of me than my heavenly father??!!! That is when Dr. Luciano came over and prayed with me and for me for the last time before my surgery, to my knowledge. He said that he was glad that he was my surgeon and with God's help and guidance, everything would be fine. He was so right!!! God is so good!!! Life is grand!!!
Have a great week and remember: With God's help, you can accomplish anything you want. Just ask for His help and believe that He will...according to His promises. If you have any questions, please let me know. I'll answer as best I can.
God is great and life is grand!!! Praise the Lord for all He has done and continues to do in our lives. Trials and tribulations are minor when God is working with us and through us!!! Have faith and trust in the Lord for He knows what His plans are for each of us and what our actual needs are. Remember to hug your loved ones and share your smiles daily.
Blessings, love and hugs,
Helen

POSITIVES ALWAYS:
GOD
FAITH
HOPE
LOVE
FREEDOM
PRAYERS and PRAYER WARRIORS
BLESSINGS AND ANSWERED PRAYERS
SMILES and HUGS
ACCEPTANCE
Thankful for each new day that I am given!!!
Unexpected twists and turns in our lives
God is in the "miracle" business!!!
Meg is home now and doing GREAT!!!
Wonderful doctors and hospitals
Cleveland Clinic
Too many positives and blessings to list them all here...Praise the Lord!!!