**

In the future, I don't expect glowing praise or sentiments of a full recovery or anything you don't feel comfortable sayin, but I would like to know that I reached you and that you are thinking about us, even with an e-mail or phone call. I love you all. Her name is Anita, she is 78 and the widow of a veteran of three world wars, (Actually, World War II, Korea, and Vietnam ... I presided in my Air Force Uniform at his funeral and was proud to do so.) If you come out of the wood work and leave a comment, I will print, bind and present your well wishes to her. I promise and will get a response back to you on her feeling about your comments.

The doctors took the core out of the tumor using a procedure where they went through her nose. She was in good spirits going into the surgery and when I finally saw her after she arrived in ICU, she was awake, coherent, but looked like she had just been through.brain surgery, DUH. Her eyes were bloodshot and there was a huge bandage under her nose to prevent the bleeding. She was given jello as that night's meal

She looked a little confused at what was going on. That may have had to do with three sisters in the room and the cacophony of opinions, questions and Ideas when all MIL wanted was to get some water or ice to soothe her throat after having a tube shoved down her gullet over the past two (plus) hours.

PLUS, they performed the surgery through her nose so that ingress of oxygen and exhalation of carbon monoxide was severely restricted, She had to breathe through her mouth. That could have been why all she wanted was something to soothe her throat! DUH! But when there are several daughters in there trying to question the ICU staff, sometimes the patient's wishes get overlooked. That seemed to be what was going on here, but can you blame the sisters? It was their mom. I just think we should pay attention to Anita, find out her wishes and needs and fight for them while she conserves her strength and voice ... but that's just me.

The upcoming tests are on whether the tumor was benign or malignant and what effect the surgery is going to have on her. We will see ... but she is alive, well, conscious and coherent. She will not be able to blow her nose, sneeze or a number of things we take for granted for the next several weeks and will have to go back in for another MRI IN SIX WEEKS to see how the tumor wall is behaving. We will have to watch that. She will also be restricted in her daily doings for a while. Luckily there are enough of us to make sure that her shit gets done (taking out the trash, bathing, dishes, hair appointments, etc.)

Do me a favor,

De lurk.

Put a message in the comment section. I'll give them to her. I think that will make her feel better knowing that complete strangers (to her) are hoping for a quick and total recovery. Again, no pressure if you don't wanna, but I think it would mean a lot to her ... and might get me back in the will. JUST KIDDING, JUST FUCKING KIDDING!

I love her, and I want her better and I am (again and again) asking for your help. Thanks in advance for your assistance and if you don't? We're still best friends ... I promise.