We finally got in to see Charysse in the “BCU” around 8:30PM.  I’m never sure what we expect her to look like, but she always surprises us at how good she does look.  She was alert and looking around, as though waiting for us.  We answered her bzillion questions and then she was ready to go back to sleep.  She never really gets much relief from any pain meds they offer her, so she is in pain.  But, once they get on top of it, it at least becomes tolerable for her.

She’ll be in the “BCU” until they find a room for her on the neurology floor.  Could be tonight or not until tomorrow.  Last time she was moved around to 3 different rooms in her short stay.  Sounds like we can expect a similar experience again.  The “BCU” is an overflow “ICU” in the basement.  But it was full of probably 20 or more patients.  I’d say that is a significant overflow.

Her left peripheral vision was not affected any more. She was thrilled about that.

I expect her to pop back on line to blog as soon as tomorrow afternoon or so.  Please feel free to flood her with your continued encouraging words.  It’s great medicine!

We’ll all sleep better tonight having seen her and spoken with her.  It’s been a long, long day.  Thank you all so much for helping us hang in there. Your words, thoughts and prayers have seen us through surgery #3.

She is stable but it will still be a few more hours.  Tick…tick….tick…..

Charysse just went in for surgery a few minutes ago, 11am. We now wait another 8 or so hours for the surgery to be completed. Pray for us…it’s going to be a long day.

It’s 10:31am and we just heard from Marvin. Dr. Liau had another surgery this morning and she’s wrapping that up now. They’re expecting to wheel Charysse back at 10:45am.

—Kyle

Guess we failed to mention that her surgery begins between 10:00-10:30 AM PST. Marvin is still with her now, somewhere in this huge hospital. She had to be here at 7:30 AM. Next time we see him will be when they forcibly kick him out. So, until we do, we know the surgery has not begun.

A little background on Charysse’s doctor for this surgery. We found her on TV, strangely. I was browsing through stations one evening and stumbled across Dateline. They were running a story on an actual brain surgery she was doing. The surgery involved a father and musician having a tumor removed. The newsworthy portion of the show was that due to the location of his tumor, he was at risk of losing his musical abilities. Dr Liau is one of few who actually wakes the patient up during the surgery and then stimulates the portion of the brain that they are looking to take. While doing so, as long as the patient is able to speak intelligently, or in his case, hum a song, identify musical notes, etc. then they know they are not creating a residual effect by taking that tissue. Fortunately for Charysse, this is not necessary.

Being in Texas and two hours ahead of Charysse, I called her and told her to be sure and watch the whole show. I only saw a portion of it. She did and two days later Dr Liau had Charysse’s brain scans in her hands. As you may know, Charysse is and has been very aggressive about learning all she can and taking her health into her own hands by being informed. Long story short, even though 4 other doctors had told Charysse that her tumor could not be removed, Dr Liau said she could get it. The proof was in the fact that she did.

We are thankful today to be fully confident of this caring and talented doctor. She has been spot on, on everything she has told us from day one. Adult brain tumors is all she does and her experience is clearly working for us again today. We will be very anxious to see her late this afternoon, to learn more about what she finds. But, we know she is the right person and God is directing her on our daughter’s behalf.

Prior to today’s surgery they have taken 3D images of her brain in all kinds of color to know exactly where they want to go to reach the area of swelling. Dr Liau would have studied those again last night, at home after she put her children to bed. That’s when she and Charysse have spent many nights emailing back and forth. After she removes what she can see, she will then do another MRI while in the operating room. This allows them to, right then, see if she missed anything. If necessary or possible, she will then go back and get any residual tissue before closing. That’s what we know. We’ll let you know as we hear anything throughout the day.

http://faculty.bri.ucla.edu/institution/personnel?personnel_id=8887

http://www.knbc.com/newslinks/5546445/detail.html

Charysse’s mom:

There are many times a parent watches the back of their child as with each step they get further and further out of reach and out of site. I don’t care how old they get or what the circumstances, I think we always feel mixed emotions as they do. Somehow we parents learn to live with the dual conflict of being excited and uncertain at the same time. We watch eagerly at times as they march forward into the unknown challenges of life. It’s all a part of what living life is about. But, at the same time, we feel the need to protect them and be close if life dishes a blow that may bring them pain. I’ve learned all too long ago, that we can’t be there always to fix it. Knowing that however, does not diminish the desire. Watching her walk away this morning was a bit overwhelming, I must admit.

Today we pray again for our daughter, as we have every day of her life. I am reminded of the day we dedicated her back to the Lord in front our friends and family shortly after she was born. In doing so, we gave her back to the Lord acknowledging that she was a gift to us in this world, but ultimately she is God’s. She is an amazing girl, as many have witnessed and that is attributed to the God she so willingly and unreservedly serves. She, as we, today are faced with the biggest test of our faith to date. To “trust” in our God with the life and the future quality of life for this very precious woman. We thank all who are helping to share this journey with us, and for your continual prayers today.