here's what we know

Do ya like the new picture (and how about that photographer *cough cough*)? Mike hasn't shaved his beard since surgery (6 weeks ago), and I'm a big fan! His hair has indeed migrated to his face. We had a great time with my family in New England and I finished my first mini triathlon. It was so much fun, and now my friend is trying to talk me into the half marathon in Columbus . . . . the jury's still out on that one! Working out has benefitted me in so many ways through Mike's illness, and no matter how sick he was and how lonely he was at home, he always insisted I get to the gym for some stress relief. It has been such a release for me.

Six weeks out of surgery, Mike is healing well, but slower than most. We saw the ENT surgeon this week and he said the surgery sight looks good, but Mike is healing with greater side effects than others. He has had very little energy and is on his second sinus infection which only adds to the pain in his sinus area. :(:( He feels absolutely lousy right now, poor guy. The ENT said Mike needs another 2 - 4 weeks to be feeling better, but that all his postsurgical issues are normal. He also shared with us that the biopsy of the pituitary showed signs of infection or inflammation. This is in contrast to what the endocrinologist told us (what else is new?). We see the neurosurgeon, who took the biopsy, in two weeks and will get his take on the results. If the biopsy showed signs of infection, I'm not sure that will help us, it may just explain things. Mike had blood drawn this week to look at his endocrine levels. He sees the endocrinologist next week to get the results of those tests.

Here's what we know:
*Mike pituitary is not cancerous. It will need to be imaged frequently.
*Mike is healing slowly from surgery and needs another 2 - 4 weeks until he feels better.
*Mike still has headaches, something we were SO hopeful surgery would alleviate. Due to Mike's slow healing time, we are not ruling out the possibility that the headaches will be gone when he is healed up.
*Mike's been seizure free since March.
*We need to take one day at a time.
*We are loved by many and unconditionally loved by our Savior.

Keep praying for us, friends. We are thankful for so much and trying not to be discouraged by the headaches and slow healing.