I'm alive

[Quakindude]

The treatments I'm going through in New Orleans has included some intensive testing. A SPECT scan has revealed that the brain surgery area in my brain has a large reduction in blood flow and thus, oxygen. However, on a tad more worrisome note, we've discovered that the left side of my head, which was facing the explosion, shows even more damage than the brain surgery area. "Diffuse reduced blood and oxygen flow to most every functioning group area of the brain is noted." That's what the Doc told me. It also explains every single symptom the Army Doc's and the local Neurologist guy couldn't explain. The damage to brain tissue in the area of the surgery explains the weakness on my left side, the balance, math and organizational skills. The damage in other areas of the brain only enhance the issues with charts, graphs, memory and so many other things. Some too personal to go into here. No, my wanker works just fine thank you very much.

Two weeks after I got here, my Step-Dad, more important to me than my real father ever was, passed away. So I ended up hauling ass home to deal with that. In the middle of all of it, my brother decided to start stealing prescription drugs from people like our MOM, and he also got absolutely HAMMERED. He then landed his sights on my wife and decided to get verbally abusive with her. Needless to say, at this point, I stepped in and he and unfortunately, his kids as well, were removed from my home. Of course, his removal from my home was a tad more painful than the loving goodbyes we said to my nieces and nephews. Not being one to half ass something, my brother has since then harassed the family through emails, once threatening bodily harm. I've also taken care of that issue with extreme prejudice. He is alive, but he isn't talking much.

My treatments here has been nothing short of miraculous. I'm still having some pretty decent headaches, but even those aren't as bad and I think they will lower even more in the coming two weeks of treatment. My clarity of mind is much improved, details and such don't get by me as much, but I'm still having significant memory and executive function issues. I anticipate these issues improving as well. I will also be going to that Shepard Center place I think I mentioned once before in Atlanta after these treatments are done.

Man, the last two weeks have been friggin exhausting. I just don't even know what to say beyond "exhausting, but working" to describe them. I'm taking pictures while here, so will post some when I return home in late July.

There's the update. I'll post more later when I can. These treatments leave me sleeping for about 18 hours out of each day. For laying in a pressurized tube of O2, you woulnd't think it would be so tiring. But the Doc says that's my brain using the new found O2 to repair the things that are wrong. Evidently, it's working.

[azianai]

Yo tom hang in there bro!
Nice to hear that these treatments seem to be doing good for ya.
Get 100% and we'll share an Anheuser-Busch InBev beer =)

[Hitman]

I know someone who can take care of your brother for you. J/K We have an Alcoholic/Drug addict in our family as well, and it can be very hard to deal with.

[screwballl]

Good to hear you're doing well and we hope to hear these updates every few days so keep us informed.... for those of us that do it, you are in our prayers...

[Jokerswild]

Seems like you've had a lot of crap to deal with this past year. Hang in there Tom.

[OcciferFriendly]

Keep fighting the good fight bro, hope you feel better soon.