My Shingles Update...and more devastating news
 

Hello my VDF family! First, I hope everyone has been enjoying a good holiday season and that most, or all, of us have many things to be grateful for.

I want to take this opportunity to update everyone on my shingles and some other news.

I'm now into this thing for the 40th week! Yes, 40 weeks! During this time, I've been on lots of meds, which also included two different strengths of Fentanyl patches, none of which even phased me! I have a high tolerance to narcotics! I've settled on Norco and Lyrica for the burning and itching this dreaded disease has left me with, just above my right eye in the Trigeminal nerve. This is the location where the Shingles virus broke out. After 3 months of this, I was in the phase known as Postherpetic Neuralgia, or PHN for short. All websites I've visited say that if you still have pain after 1 year, you'll probably have it for the rest of your life. With only 12 weeks to go, I can honestly say that my symptoms have improved, but I'm not fully cured yet. Fingers crossed that I'll continue to see improvements in the coming 12 weeks.

However, all this takes a backseat to the devastating news my girlfriend received towards the end of September. My Eve was diagnosed with a Stage-4 Glioblastoma, aka, an aggressive brain tumor that doesn't respond well to both chemo and radiation treatments.

I'll give you all the condensed version of what's been happening since then. Eve underwent a craniotomy within 1 week of the discovery of the tumor. The surgeon was able to resect (remove) about 80 percent. During all this time, and due to our ridiculous healthcare system, Eve never received any treatments. A recent CT and MRI scan showed that the tumor had already increased to the point where any treatments wouldn't help. Eve's only option was another craniotomy to remove more of the tumor and finally begin her treatments.

Eve is at Loma Linda Hospital as I type this and her surgery is scheduled to be first this morning. She requested that I not be there, as she didn't want me just sitting around in the waiting room for an unknown amount of hours. Her daughter, who is also an RN, will send out group texts to keep us all up to date.

This surgery is merely a stop-gap measure to buy Eve some more time with her family and we have all made peace with what lies ahead from her chemo and radiation treatments. While I don't believe in miracles, I can certainly be hopeful.

Eve and I have been together for more than 20 years and I am grateful for the wonderful memories we've made together. It's taken me since the end of September to fully accept what is to come and, while still difficult, I'm now able to deal with.

Eve has been the biggest supporter of all my drum related activities and always looked forward to seeing what the next snare drum I would purchase to add to my collection. There's even a stack of 9 beautiful snare drums in her bedroom!

Please send out positive vibes for my Eve for her successful surgery today and her treatments that will follow in the very near future. A heartfelt "thank you" goes out to each and every one of you!

-Mark

Re: My Shingles Update...and more devastating news
 

Mark,
Please let Eve know that your drummer brotherhood have her in our hearts. This is truly heartbreaking. Please send along our love and support.

-Kurt

Re: My Shingles Update...and more devastating news
 

Hi Kurt,

Thanks so much for your support. It means the world to me and I'll pass this onto Eve when I get to see her.

-Mark

Re: My Shingles Update...and more devastating news
 

+1 with Kurt.

Re: My Shingles Update...and more devastating news
 

Mark,

Prayers are being sent from Canada!! Please keep us updated of the situation, when you can...

Cheers

Re: My Shingles Update...and more devastating news
 

I just received a text from Eve's daughter, saying that surgery is done, but they're still closing. Also stating that surgery went well and no loss of faculties on the affected side should occur. They will keep her sedated and intubated to allow for another MRI soon to verify the results. We're hoping for a short hospital stay this time...about 3 days vs. 8 for her original surgery in September.

Thanks for all the good vibes!

-Mark

Re: My Shingles Update...and more devastating news
 

Mark,
Indeed devastating news about both you and Eve. To see your regular posts during all of this, one would never know that you are enduring personal hardship. You always seem upbeat and helpful to all of us, many of whom you don’t even know!

May things work out for the absolute best possible outcomes for you both. My sincerest best wishes and thoughts to you.

Josh

Re: My Shingles Update...and more devastating news
 

Mark,
A very small difficulty is plaguing me right now (extremely small in view of Eve’s condition). In preparation to wrap things up in Maine this fall and make our way to a new place in Florida, I pushed too hard and ended up damaging my back to a level I have never experienced before. That was in early November and I’m still dealing with it now like it’s going to be some chronic thing. All along it has reminded me of what you are going through with the shingles as the pain has been a burning pain.
You mention that, although you don’t believe in miracles, you remain with hope. That’s good. But there are miracles occurring as this unfolds. For example, I quote Josh Cohen:
“To see your regular posts during all of this, one would never know that you are enduring personal hardship. You always seem upbeat and helpful to all of us, many of whom you don’t even know!”
In my view, that is a miracle. It is not natural behavior. Natural behavior is selfish and lashes out. From your descriptions, we know your Eve hung in with you and you are hanging in with her. That is love in action and I believe that is learned behavior. It is not survival of the fittest. It’s behavior more aligned with commandments to love one another. Commanded because it is not natural. It comes from outside this world and is, by definition, miraculous.
Miraculous - Oxford Dictionary: A surprising and welcome event that is not explicable by natural or scientific laws and is therefore considered to be the work of a divine agency.
Your pain, her pain, and the pain we all experience to some degree in life is nasty. But reacting against it with and in love is wonderful. Therefore, keep doing what you are doing. It is one of the things that has made this forum special, as for the most part it is sharing something we all enjoy a great deal and helping one another in it.
Yours and your Eve’s soonest recovery is, indeed, hoped for!

Re: My Shingles Update...and more devastating news
 

Try to stay positive if you can. Good thoughts sent for you and Eve. May 2023 be a happier time.

Re: My Shingles Update...and more devastating news
 

I know exactly what you're going through. My girlfriend, (Who I can't see anymore), had three brain operations. I was only with her for the last one, but I know how tough it can be.
Regarding your shingles, I had it several years ago, my doctor gave me antibiotics and it cleared up in about a week.
Hang in there, my prayers are with both of you.