Things I've Learned From Surgery, Part 1

In honor of Shannon's first part of the 3 part brain surgery, I decided I would write a blog about what I've learned during this process.

First, and foremost, MEN are TERRIBLE patients.  For as long as Shannon and I have been together, I've always been the lucky one to go under the knife.  First, it was my gall bladder, then the tonsils, then a baby.  All three times I had complications.  All I've ever heard about me post-surgery is what a baby I am, how I can't handle anything, blah, blah, blah.  Well, let me tell you- I don't think I'll ever hear those words again.  I think, maybe, just maybe, Shannon might change his tune when this is all said and done.  Surgery sucks, anyway you look at it.

I've learned that people I don't even know are prepared to be prayer warriors for you.  This month, Shannon had over 24,000 hits on his website.  I'm assuming most of those folks were people who were checking up on his progress.  If you didn't know it, Shannon's page runs a live feed from his Twitter account.  During surgery, I am posting progress that way.  So, if you want up to the minute details of how he is doing, check www.shannonbunch.com  Anyhow, we have people praying for Shannon and our family from all over the place.  I can't even begin to fathom how many prayer lists we are on at churches.  That's powerful stuff and we are so thankful for it.

I've learned that just because a hospital doesn't have a well-known name, doesn't mean that it's not a good place.  Shannon's surgeries are taking place at Norton Hospital Brownsboro in Louisville, KY.  I can't even begin to tell you how awesome of a place it is.  It's sparkling new and every employee that I came in contact with was over the top kind.  When Emme had Craniofacial Reconstruction (June 09) it was at Vanderbilt Children's.  Yes, it is home to the top Dr.'s and I couldn't have been more pleased with the results, and no I wouldn't have done it any other way,  but, the hospitality just wasn't there.  If it weren't for a friend who had a daughter at Vandy who was going through Chemo treatments and knew the ropes, I think we would have been buried in Vandy land.

I've learned that it is not smart to put a post-surgery patient in the car after surgery and drive 3 hours home.  We will not be doing that again.  Shannon made it until we were about 7 miles from home and then, he lost it- his lunch I mean.  That's just not fair.  Luckily the second surgery requires and overnight stay.  Sadly, the third surgery does not.  If they can't find a reason to keep him overnight on the third surgery, we will be staying in a hotel.  Either way, he needs the time to sleep off the anesthesia and I need time to rest too.  Thank goodness for the great family we have lined up to keep Emme.  What a blessing.

Well, those are my notes for tonight.  I'm sure, I'll have more later this week.  Please continue to keep us in your prayers and also remember to keep his surgery team in your prayers as well.  Thanks for reading and keeping up with The Bunches. 

Today, it hit me....

I'm not a kid anymore.  Huh?  For some reason, I haven't yet grasped the idea that I'm an adult.  Maybe it's because I'm the youngest of four so I've always been the baby, I don't know?  Today was a beautiful day in Nashville.  I spent quite awhile outside, mainly because it keeps my house cleaner when Emme is out too, and while I was watching her play, my mind somewhat drifted.  Holy cow!!! I'm going to be 33 on Tuesday.  Where has all the time gone?  How did I get this old? 

Friday, I decided to take Emme to the pumpkin patch since we hadn't been this year.  I invited a neighbor (Mendy) to come along, who just happens to be a great friend as well.  On the way over, we were talking about money, finances, budget, etc. and I told her what our monthly budget was.  She looked like she would stroke! 

Yesterday, Mendy, Linda (Mendy's Mom), Cynthia (another friend), Emme, and I all went to brunch to celebrate my birthday.  Brunch?  Not a late night dinner?  No karaoke with the girls?  Nope.  Just brunch, and it was FABULOUS!  I can't wait to take Shannon to the place we went because he has such a fondness of breakfast. 

Thursday, I'll face a real life scary situation.  Shannon's having surgery.  We've got a baby.  The what if's rattle me every now and again, but mostly I'm okay.

So, I say all that to say this...I'm a grown up.  I'm old, I have real bills, real-life situations, and people take me seriously (finally.)  So on Tuesday, October 26th, I'm going to embrace my 33 years of life and be proud that I've accomplished so much, in so little time. 

Until then...

Surgery, and then some.

I guess by now if you are reading my blog then you know that someone in my family is having surgery.  Yep, you guessed right.  Shannon is having surgery to correct a degenerative neurological muscle disorder that he has battled with for almost 25 years called Dystonia.  Dystonia is a muscle disorder that I like to describe as a mix between Parkinson's and MS, but what it means is that his body has involuntary muscle contractions all the time.  To give you an idea, flex your arm, your muscle contracts, right?  Now imagine not being able to un-contract that muscle.  This pretty much that gives you a brief idea of what Shannon has been dealing with, except his muscles involved seem to be in his neck, back, hands, and feet.  It is a very cruel and painful disease that up until now, has been treated with Botox injections.  For the last year or so, the Botox injections have given him little to no relief, so the surgery is the only option.

The surgery he is having is called DBS (Deep Brain Stimulation) surgery and it is a three part surgery.  During the first surgery (October 28th) the doctors will drill two holes in his head and insert screws.  After the holes are drilled, they will do an MRI and CT Scan to draw a map of Shannon's brain.  I know, I know, most of you are thinking why do they need a map, there's nothing in there, but to be on the safe side, the doctor's want an exact diagram.  The first surgery will be an outpatient surgery.  During the second surgery, the doctor's will insert two lead wires into the holes they drilled and guide them to the area of the brain that is causing his muscles distress.  This surgery will be an overnight stay.  For the third surgery (November 11th) the doctor's will place a pacemaker device under Shannon's collarbone and connect it to the lead wires that were inserted in the second surgery.  This surgery will also be an outpatient surgery.  After two weeks, Shannon will return to the surgeon and he will turn on the pacemaker.  When the pacemaker is turned on, it is supposed to stimulate the brain and stop the involuntary spasms.

Okay, so where do I begin?  My emotions are scattered.  Why in the world does every disorder imaginable come to my family that involves the head?  Most of you remember Emme had Craniofacial Reconstruction at only 5 months old.  Now, my husband is having surgery on his head.  Ugh.  Honestly, I can tell you that I'm excited and nervous at the same time this go round. 

Let's start with the excited part.  Shannon is a great Husband and Father (if you don't believe me go read his Facebook post from today) and he deserves a pain free life.  I want him to be able to hold our daughter (I can't help it she's huge!) without pain, to be able to get on the floor and play with her without worrying if he'll be able to get up, and to be able to live a normal life.  I will honestly say that there have been days that I've wanted to give up on this disease and let it take over.  Like the Sunday morning we were getting ready for church and he suddenly couldn't move and I'm upstairs in my bedroom feeling helpless. How was I going to get this guy down the stairs?  It all worked out, but it drained me.  All I could think about was this was going to be our life.  He was going to end up unable to walk and how would he sing, how would he be able to be the Father he wanted to be, what if, how this?  Thankfully, with the surgery as an option, I don't think I'll have to worry like that ever again. 

Now, the nervous part.  Well first, there's no way Emme can come with us on the surgery dates.  If you know anything about my family, we are this tiny little unit.  We do everything together, literally.  It works for us, and I wouldn't change it.  But what in the world will Emme think when I don't pick her up from daycare?  Will she sleep okay overnight without Mommy and Daddy?  I know, I know, these are the small things.  I'm nervous about the surgery in general.  What if something goes wrong and they hit an area of the brain and something bad happens?  I don't even want to say it, but what if the unthinkable happens?  How will I ever survive without my life partner?  Okay- I'm over analyzing.  Then of course there's always the finances.  This surgery means at least two weekends off for Shannon.  Will we be able to pay our bills?  How will we afford hotels, meals, etc. while he is in surgery?  Ugh.  I can't even think about it.  I can only tell you this- I am confident that my God will handle it all.  We've been in times like this before and it just seems like the pieces of the puzzle magically fall into place.  I can remember the calmness that came over Shannon and I when Emme was wheeled back for surgery.  I looked around the waiting room and thought, "Lord, thank you for allowing me to see how easy this is going to be compared to some of these other families situations.  My baby is going home (after 9 days) and some of these children may not."  That's all it took.  Those 9 days were rough, but let me tell you- I can't imagine them without the Grace of my Heavenly Father.

So, there you go.  I've decided to take the approach I took at Vanderbilt on June 25th, 2009.  "Lord, thank you for allowing Shannon another chance at a normal life.  Lord, thank you for doctor's who can do something to help the man I love.  And Lord, please keep him safe."

Shannon's surgery will be in Louisville, KY performed by Dr. Todd Shanks.  At this point the name of the hospital has left me and Shannon's asleep so I can't ask him the location.  I will be updating my blog, our Twitter, and Facebook accounts through this process.  I hope you will read and keep up with all that's going on.  You can access all of these pages through Shannon's website:  www.shannonbunch.com