Back and forth to Baltimore

Every day since Thursday my brother and I have made the trip to Baltimore and back. Visiting hours are from 12 - 2 and then 5 - 8. Not exactly convenient when the hospital is 1 1/2 hours from home. But what are you gonna do. The past two days we've gone up for the 12 - 2 time slot, tomorrow we're aiming for 5 - 8.

Mom is in the NCCU - the neurology version of the ICU. For whatever reason - there are many theories - she has trouble controlling her ability to swallow, gag reflex and air passages so she has been on a ventilator since the surgery. Every day we hear "maybe we'll be able to take it out tomorrow" and every day so far they haven't. Here's hoping tomorrow is the day. The tumor was on the brain stem, and the optic nerves of her right eye were so entwined with the tumor that she is going to have complications with vision in that eye. These complications include moving the eye and having double vision. Perhaps permanently, but we don't know. Another "wait and see" scenario. Right after surgery she was also having trouble moving her left side. They didn't know what if any permanent effects she would have from this either. But the next day she seemed to be moving her left side just fine.

Everything is a wait and see from the doctors. I hate that. Everyday we make this awful drive and yet I can't do a damned thing to make things better or move her recovery along any faster or trouble free than it is going to take on its own. I hate that too.

Everyday my brother and I get lost on the way to and way back from the hospital. I hated that at first, but it's very amusing now. We try to find humor where we can.