Caringbridge – August 15, 2021

Yesterday, I’m grateful to have been visiting with him at just the right time.   While I was there caring for him (getting him fed, helping him get cleaned up, changing his bed linens) two doctors from Neurology came to visit and take some time to explain things.   When I tell you how empowering that 1/2 hour was???  It’s the first time in a week that we’ve had concrete answers.   The main doctor (who I think MUST be a lady Greek – she gave all the right energy :)) said “Would you like to see the images from the MRI?”  The nerd in both Earl and I jumped up and were like “YES, PLEASE!!!” 

She wheeled in the computer on the cart (everything is on a cart these days) and took us slice by slice through the MRI (without contrast).   She showed us exactly where the stroke happened (CONFIRMED that it was indeed a stroke, cause his mom was holding out hope that maybe it was something else)- for the curious: it happened in an artery just about on the median of his brain leaning a little right.  For the uninitiated – right brain controls the left side of the body; left brain controls the right side of the body.  With this, she explained why his left side is a little clumsier… experiencing the Alien Limb Syndrome and has some weakness and lack of sensitivity to touch at times.   Then she took us through this 3D scan of JUST the arteries in his head and rotated that thing around so we could see it from every angle.  I swear it was some Star Trek stuff.   Showed us the narrowing of the particular artery where the injury (stroke is an injury in the area that it happens) took place.  She said that because of the current scan that we had being less detailed than she would like is why he would go back for MRI with contrast and then for the cerebral angiogram on Monday (tomorrow).   She explained everything so well, the look of sheer relief on Earl’s face was invaluable.   He finally had the answers of what happened, when and how.  Now they’re working to tell him WHY. 

They are coming to get him for his angiogram at 7AM tomorrow, but it’ll be just enough time for him to virtually ride with Athena and I in the car to her first day of Middle School.  So he’s not “missing it” — he will be there.   Just not in his superhero physical form.   The procedure takes about 3 hours so I plan to visit him after I’ve picked Athena up from school at 1. And then we’ll have more answers.   

Shouts to the staff and doctors at Mt. Sinai.  They are top notch.  I won’t waste time next time ANYTHING  happens with anyone I love.  I’ll just bring them DIRECTLY THERE.   Cause… chile????  I have so many stories to tell.  Wait till I regale you with tales of the WuTang doctor…  It’s a good one. 

Keep prayers up y’all!  We hope he’ll come home this week!