1-31-94...Dad takes Krissy to school and visits with Mrs. Walker for about an hour. Final preparations are made and mommy, dad, and Curt leave for Wichita at about 1 p.m.
2-1-94...We fly from Wichita to KC, change planes and arrive in New York at around noon. Only in NY one hour and dad gets screwed paying $50 fo a limousine ride from LaGuardia to NYU Med. Center. We go to meet Dr. Wisoff and Dr. Allen who checks Curt over and explains the surgical procedure involved including any risks or side effects. Then we freeze our butts off walking up 34th Street to the Empire State Building. We go to the top and check our Manhattan; we saw the World Trade Center and the Statue of Liberty. At about 5 p.m. Curt checks into the NYU Med. Center. Dad takes a cab to the Ronald McDonald House on 73rd St. which is brand new and excellent.
Curt in the Limo
2-2-94...Not much sleep last night for anyone. Curt's surgery is started at about noon. Dr. Wisoff visits with mommy and daddy at 5:00. He estimates that he was able to remove 90-95% of tumor and says surgery goes very well. Mommy and dad go to recovery where Curt looks very good with only a big white turban on and some I.V's running into his arms. He is able to move and speak all right but is pretty much "out of it" and continues sleeping. He is moved to PICU at about 7:00 to keep sleeping.
one of the longest days of my life. The surgery supposedly was to start at 8 am. So much preliminary stuff...so many faces...so much information...repeated over and over and over. Anticipation, fear, frustration...set the scene. Curt is so calm and composed, laughing and teasing with anyone and everyone within speaking distance. He has been through so much and understands he's still climbing out of the illness. He understands the BIG picture so well......so much more than me. I thank God Curt's still hangs on to his belief in storybook endings.
Finally, the cart comes for Curt...and my heart skips several beats. Like following a maze...we get to where we belong...to the place we have been traveling to since the nightmare began. Only one parent is allowed in the surgical unit...there is no question that I will go with Curt. This was not up for debate. Curt giggles and laughs as I pull on the "greens" and hairnet. and I attempt to pull myself together...holding on to his hand... I will never turn loose. I am so scared...and now Curt is too. I see it in his eyes....his body language....and he allows himself one tear as they place the mask over his tiny face. I am appalled at how small the surgery room is...the odd looking machinery and the infinite number of electrical cords littering the floor. Curt falls asleep too soon...before I can tell him how much I Love him.
I have no idea how those 5 hours were spent waiting for word. I do remember Dr. Wisoff coming off the elevator...elastic prints on his forehead...stoic faced....leading us to a waiting area. I don't recall his exact words...just the jest of what he was saying...the inoperable tumor...was now gone, and I felt myself free fall...breaking down...sobbing...uncontrollably and thinking...'it's almost over'.
2-3-94...Curt sleeps well and has a real good night. Dr. Kim checks Curt out and says everything looks real good. Curt speaks well, understands what's going on. Curt gets first CAT Scan after operation at 10 a.m. Dr. Wisoff and Dr. Allen check in on Curt and say he is doing well. He sleeps all day only occasionally waking up but very listless but pain-free. Dr. Wisoff called at 5:00 p.m. and said he removed a little better than 95% of Curt's tumor. Curt is moved from PICU to a room on the floor.
2-4-94...Curt and mommy go to sleep at about 8:00 and Curt only gets up once during the night to go to the bathroom. Dad gets back to the hospital at 8 a.m. and finds Curt walking to the bathroom. He is still pretty weak and a bit unsteady on his feet but looks real good, except for the big turban on his head. Dr. Allen visits in the A.M. and assures us that Curt's listlessness is normal for someone that has undergone brain surgery and should improve in a short time. He said surgery is the most important treatment and survival is greatly improved when it is as successful as Curt's. Curt is a bit more alert today. At 3 p.m. mommy goes to the Solarium to a support group. Dr. Kim showed us Curt's CAT Scan and it looks wonderful, the tumor is basically gone.
2-5-94...Mommy and Curt have another good night. Curt has an MRI at 10 a.m. He is more alert today and does not sleep as much He is still pretty listless but is showing improvement every day. After lunch, dad and mom take Curt to the 17th floor Solarium to look at the view including the World Trade Center and the East River. Curt gets his last I.V. out after dinner. Dad walked from 73rd St. to 3rd St. right in front of the U.N. Building. Curt spends an hour in the playroom and plays a game of battleship with mommy, and walks around quite a bit.
