ICU Blues, Barnabas Collins, and Fungal Squatters

The latest on Rebecca. Becky has her operation behind her and is recovering nicely in the OHSU (Oregon Health Science University) hospital in Portland Oregon. The surgeon and medical staff are confident that Becky will have a full recovery. Jim has stayed with Becky since the operation on Thursday, 11/19, departing for Canby only after medical staff have forcibly removed him from ICU, often confiscating whatever medical garb Jim has "borrowed" to prolong his visit. (So far he has posed as a radiologist, surgeon, and a custodian.) Amanda, Emma, Joe, and Levi have visited their mom/future mother-in-law every day. Jim, Mark, Bob, and Joan drove up to see her Saturday. She was conversant, eating spaghetti and meatballs, and happy to see us. Jim noted that she had recovered substantially since Friday. Her appetite has returned, the aftermath swelling has diminished, and her wit is resuming its rapier-like tip.

The Good News: The neurosurgeon is confident that Becky will have a full recovery. He surgically removed a 3 cm meningioma tumor (affectionately called "Barnabas Collins" courtesy of the gothic TV soap opera "Dark Shadows" and Becky's fond memories) from the lining of Becky's brain (left side) on Thursday and burned the site of removal through some kind of cauterizing procedure to destroy any surviving cells. Although the results of a biopsy are still pending, it is almost certain that Barnabas is benign. Becky's condition has been downgraded from ICU patient to just recovering(?) patient. She remains bedded down in ICU for the time being, however, until the hospital can find a bed elsewhere. All her post-op IV's have been removed.

The Not As Good News: Since this ordeal has necessitated a rather close scrutiny of all the nooks and crannies of Becky's head, the doctor discovered that Becky's sinuses have unwittingly been providing accomodations and housing for a fungus. The doctor and medical staff have described in layman's terms a "fungal ball" in one of Becky's sinuses. Since it is serious enough to warrant attention and treatment, Becky had decided to take care of this latest medical wrinkle ASAP since she is already in the hospital and dressed for the occasion. Another, less dire, procedure (minor surgery) for this "fungal ball" is scheduled for Monday followed by another biopsy to be certain of its benignity. It looks like Becky's stay at OHSU will be extended several days. Becky has a pretty good shiner, as well. In his zeal to pose as a nurse to stay past visiting hours, Jim accidentally knocked Bec in the left eye with a the IV monitor. (Actually, Becky's black eye is a normal result of the surgery.)

More Good News: Jim will have more opportunities to hone his imposter skills. Perhaps he can find some new medical professions to masquerade as. (physical therapist, psychiatrist, or chaplain perhaps?)

Please keep Becky and the Hilton family in your prayers until this latest medical hurdle has been resolved.