Hello Friends and Family,
I had my WADA test on the 14th. It was a very interesting experience! Weird to have 1/2 of your brain asleep. I got to see stars and lighting in my left eye every time they shot dye into the catheter. Like 4th of July. The test itself only took about 15 minutes. But it took 3 hours to get my body prepared for the WADA test! One of the scary parts was that they had to strap me down to the table. My ankles strapped down, my shins, thighs, chest, and my wrists. They said, during the test, some people freak out, scream and wrestle trying to get off the table during the test. I stayed calm, but they still kept me tied down.
The results. I am left brain dominated for language. Just like the majority of people. We hoped that I was right brain dominated. We thought that may be the case since Dr. Berger didn't come across any language areas during my last surgery when he removed a golf ball size of my left temporal lobe. The language section must be hiding deep inside my lobe.
So now, there is not the option of removing my whole left temp lobe. Dr. Berger will have to do the surgery while I am awake again, and take it extremely carefully. He will test and map my brain as he is doing the surgery. He will remove all he can, until he hits language sensitive areas. The risk of me losing my ability to speak, read and write are very high now.
It was VERY weird when my left side of my brain was asleep. I completely understood what everyone was saying. But I could not talk. I could not even form a word in my mind. It was NOT like "thinking" the words, but they wouldn't come out. There were no words formed in my mind. Isn't that weird !!! That I understood what was being said, but couldn't even think of a word. It was all blank.
The good news is that, if I couldn't talk, I could still understand what all of you guys would be saying. So, if I come out of surgery unable to talk. Please don't think I am mentally out of it. My mind would still be clear. You would not have to talk to me like talking to a baby. I would understand what you said, I just wouldn't be able to respond to it.
When I was driving back to Oregon from UCSF, I passed by Mount Shasta. The sun was out and there was a beautiful blue sky. There was a smooth thin cloud laying over the peak of Mt. Shasta, like a blanket. I felt at peace. It was like a sign to me, that my next surgery was not going to be a big huge challenge of climbing a big mountain. Not this time. I really think I will come out of surgery with the ability to talk again.
Oh ya, I have to tell you guys this! When the radiologist was trying to get the catheter into my artery in my groin, he struggled with it for 20 minutes. The artery kept rolling and rolling to the side. Sometimes he would just stop and stand there, like trying to figure out what to do. Sometimes, he would give himself a break, walk off, turn around and come back and try again. I was worried that he would break down and try the other side. It hurt a little, and I was getting scared. All of a sudden I decided to pray about it. I said, "God, I know this situation is little, in the realm of such big things in the world. But I know you have the power to do so many things all at once. If it is your will, please let the doctor get it in NOW." The second I said NOW, the needle slipped into my artery. I was blown away. I just smiled, relaxed and thanked God. That was definitely not the first little miracle I had seen God do in my life.
I head to San Fran on Monday. Lots of pre-surgery tests and preparation on Tuesday. Surgery on Wed. the 21st. My plan is to come back from surgery, with the ability to write all of you again to let you know how it went.
Love to you all.
God Bless, Cheryl Broyles 6 years 7 months and 24 days GBM survivor