03/22/2024: Scenic Detours

03/22/24: Scenic Detours

"How are you feeling? Do you have any questions for me at this time?"

Dr. Babb in that ER room sounded extremely apologetic, as if somehow he was responsible for the Meningioma diagnosis he just read to me.

Of course I had questions! 

"This Menin... , I mean the tumor, do you think I got it because I am on my phone all the time?"

In the next 5 seconds, I watched the doctor's face change from sad to incredulous to almost a smile. 

"No, Meningioma has nothing to do with your screen time habits."

"Is it genetic? Are my girls at risk of getting this? My older one gets headaches often"

"No, highly unlikely for it to be genetic, unless they get it during birth, in which case you would know by now, as there are very clear symptoms for tumors at birth. It is extremely rare for kids that young to develop these kinds of tumors."

I was still quite loopy from the meds and I could not think beyond those two questions at the time. I closed my eyes as the light on the ceiling outside the room was bothering me. I don't remember seeing the doctor walk out of the room. I hope I used my manners and thanked him.

I was all alone in the ER, only half conscious but fully confused on what I just heard. I was dying to google the heck out of the word Meningioma but my eyes were refusing to stay open. I did not want to bother Bachi with this yet- he just pulled an all-nighter and had gone home to handle the girls' morning routines and school drop-offs. I mustered the courage to send two messages. One to my best friend in the bay area, and another to a local friend who I know does not have young children needing his active supervision, for the much needed emotional and google browsing support to keep me sane.

Life since that morning in the ER has been one heck of a detour. I don't remember the last time I spent this long, focusing on myself, if ever. Once all the logistical items have been mostly dealt with, deep thoughts took over my mind- would I be satisfied, if my journey were to end now? Is my day filled with things that make me happy? What is happiness anyway? Suddenly, all those family and friendship issues or career goals that I would normally obsess about started becoming very insignificant. As I look at my life from a whole new pair of eyes, this detour looks unexpectedly scenic and serene! 

My surgery got advanced by a week, and it will now take place on April 29th. The next month will be busy- doctor appointments, taxes, recovery planning, Rangapravesam planning, etc. Destiny sure knows I don't like sitting still for too long. :)

04/08 10am: EKG, Blood work (Bethany)

04/09 12pm: Pre-op Meeting with Dr. Gore (St Vincent's)

04/11: Angiogram (St Vincent's)

04/19: Raaga’s Photoshoot

04/22: Pre-op procedures by hospital team

04/25: Taara performs at Sato's got talent!

04/29: CT Scan, MRI, Surgery (St Vincent's)

06/08: Parents arrive

06/14: Recovery complete???

07/14: Raaga’s Rangapravesam!

With the iconic Portland-Oregon sign

With the cherry blossoms on the waterfront on the first day of Spring

Selfie with the majestic Multnomah Falls







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