Author Archives: gregandtherock

One year after meeting Rock

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Hard to believe one year ago yesterday, I met the Rock. All is good…my head feels ok…still some healing zingers once in a while..but that is it. I am so thankful for my best friend and wife Kim and my 3 wonderful kids, my parents, Aunts, Uncles, cousins and friends. Thank you all for your love and support over the past year.
Greg

6 Week Update

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August 2 will mark 6th weeks since surgery. Everything is going fantastic.

The removal of Rock has meant lots of positive changes…..head aches are gone, my left sinus is unobstructed, my energy levels are back, taste and smell have returned, I can focus on tasks at hand and in general I feel better than I have in 6 or 7 years…..the Rock was a slow grower so as it affected things, I was able to adjust and compensate to allow the deficit caused by Rock to become my “new normal”.

July 11 marked my return to work. It was great to get back. The first week found me tired by mid afternoon, but by the end of last week that was gone.

This week we head to San Diego for Taylor’s triathlon on August 5. My being able to travel to Taylor’s race has been a goal for me to shoot for during my recovery. I am so thankful that I will be able to see her race in the US Triathlon National Championships. We will also be able to spend time with my folks, who are driving over from Tucson and my brother and family who live just up the road in San Clemente.

The boys are busy…..Jamie heads to college on August 15 (can’t believe that is happening, seems like yesterday he was in a car seat) and Will is occupied with football practices and drivers education.

Greg

100% Benign!

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12 days since surgery and I am feeling good.  It was great having Dad here to help us out….he went back to Tucson on Friday.
 
My doctors at Mayo called me today (I was impressed, a Sunday) to let me know that my “Rock” was 100% benign!
 
The tumor was classified as a “Solitary Fibrous Tumor”, not a meningioma as they thought it was from the MRI images.  The doctors told me Monday that they had never seen a tumor of this type in the location mine was in.  Today they told me that they only see around 10 Solitary Fibrous Tumors each year (in a variety of different places – lungs, pancreas, etc.)  let alone one in a person’s head like mine was.
 
So we are really happy and thankful that things are turning out so positive.  Tuesday, I get my 20 staples taken out and then hopefully back to work on July 11th.
 
I have a follow up MRI and doctors visits at Mayo Rochester in mid September.  If all goes well, then annual scans and visits after that.
 
Special thanks to Gordy and Donna Carls for visiting me in Rochester both before and after surgery.  Gordy’s spiritual guidance was awesome for both me and my family.
 
Thanks to Sue, J, Ruth, Ray, Carrie, Susie, Jim and Marilyn for their visits to me while in the hospital.
 
Special remembrances to my cousins Connie and Randy who bravely battled brain tumors before me.
 
Greg

The Rock before it was taken into custody by the Mayo Clinic pathology team

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Well, there it is. The Rock was the size of a golf ball and was described to me as “hard as a rock”.

We are still waiting on pathology report, but based on prelim opinions from docs, they believe it be benign! This means another trip to Mayo in September for another MRI and consults with docs to be sure nothing is growing back.

All is looking good. I am feeling better every hour. Hats off to my best friend Kim for taking such good care of me. Thanks for all the continued thoughts, calls, emails, cards (LOTS of cards from my Kum & Go friends, thanks!) and prayers.
Greg
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Greg and the Rock have parted ways

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The Rock was evicted from head yesterday afternoon. It appears he caused minimal damage to his living quarters (my brain) and recover will be fast. I am tired and in a little discomfort, but all in all feeling really good.
The Rock posed for a couple of pictures post eviction that I will post in a little while.
I am still in ICU, but will be getting moved to a regular room later this morning after another MRI.
Thanks for all the cards, calls and prayers. God is great!
Greg

The last blog with the Rock!

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The Rock (meningioma) will be evicted by Dr. Lanzino tomorrow at 11 AM.

Today was busy with appointments with doctors, blood work and a stealth MRI.  I have 10 tattoo dots on my head-forehead that surgeon will use as a part of the guidance system.  Guess I was wrong when I said I’d never get a tatt.

I am feeling confident and ready to get this thing over with.  Kim will update tomorrow.

Thanks for all thoughts, prayers, e-mails, facebook shout outs and calls.

Greg