Well, we busted out of MD Anderson yesterday just in time for 5:00 traffic! However, we didn't mind. We just wanted to go home.

We got home around 9:00 and were in bed, our own bed, by 9:30 and sound asleep by 9:31! There's no place like home!

Jeff is once again doing very well. After a 6 hour brain surgery, he was home 2 days later. I will tell you that all that surgery has not made hime talk or move any faster than he ever did! He's the same old Jeff. He continues to amaze the doctors and medical staff with his stoic strength and determination. He has surprised me with the way he has stepped in and is telling the doctors what HE wants to do. He is helping determine his own path. Pretty cool.

We have so many people to thank for their prayers, good wishes, and support, and for pitching in where we need it. You may not get a thank you note, but you know how very much we appreciate you all.

We will be home for 2 weeks to recuperate, then back to Houston to determine the next course of action. That's all we really know at this time. Jeff feels like he is in the hands of the best medical professionals available and he is smart enough to follow their lead, so we will know more in two weeks. Until then, he will work to build back his strength and get ready for the next phase.

I will tell you, he did get in a little trouble by the occupational therapist for plowing and planting at the ranch in South Texas last weekend! She told him that "no driving" meant tractors too! There is just so much you can tell a guy to do. At some point he's going to draw the line, and that line was with the tractor!

Hopefully you won't hear from me for 2 weeks, but I promise to let you know whenever we have something new to tell.

Love to all.

Jeff had surgery yesterday to remove more tumor. He was talking and wiggling toes and fingers immediately following the surgery. He stayed in icu until this morning when he was moved to a regular room. He is VERY alert and determined. He was up walking around the unit this afternoon as well. His strength and determination are amazing. As you might expect, he just does what needs to be done in a very unassuming manner. His biggest complaint is that he just can't get any sleep around here!

We hope to be able to visit about treatment options tomorrow and be home by the weekend.

All in all, we are all hanging in pretty well.

Our visit to Houston was productive. Unfortunately, it was determined that another surgery is in order to determine the cause of the swelling. If it's tumor, it will once again be removed. The Drs. at M D Anderson will then determine the next course of action. Surgery is scheduled for Tuesday morning. We will probably be there until the weekend.

I know a lot of you have been very concerned about Jeff and his health. We aren't big on blogging, and if you know Jeff very well, he sees very little need for cluttering the air with a bunch of words! I, on the other hand, am quite willing to use all the words necessary to let you all know what's going on and how we are doing. More importantly, I want all of you to know how very much we appreciate all your prayers and acts of kindness, as well as your respect for our privacy.
I'll try to follow Jeff's lead and use as few words as possible. Here goes:
March 13th Jeff had a seizure at work caused by a grade 4 brain tumor.
Surgery was done at Brackenridge Hospital in Austin, followed by several weeks of radiation and chemo. Jeff had virtually no problems for 5 of the 6 weeks of treatment. He went on a couple of hunting trips, a golfing weekend, and watched Maggie's club team knock out the #1 seated team at the Houston Regional volleyball tournament to qualify for Nationals. He also continued to work. Unfortunately, he saved the worst for last.
Following a night of tremendous headaches, I took him to CTMC in San Marcos.
The MRI showed tremendous swelling in the brain. He was admitted to ICU where he was sedated with Morphine and given steroids through iv's to reduce the swelling. It worked. He has no headaches at this time. However, it is unclear what caused the swelling; radiation or the tumor. We are home today and VERY grateful.
Because CT's and MRI's have not been conclusive, we are going to MD Anderson for better diagnostic testing. Jeff's treatment plan will be determined by what is discovered in Houston. Since he had only 4 radiation treatments left, he does not have to complete them, and he is no longer taking the chemo. He has earned a break!
His physical and mental strength have been amazing! We have been so blessed with his good health up to this point. Our family and friends have been around when we needed them and stayed away when we needed our space.
These are the times that determine what you are really made of. I will tell you, our family is made of pretty tough stuff. As strange as it may sound, we have had a lot of laughs. We stick together and move forward. Though we are living moment by moment at this point, I can tell you it's not a bad way to live. Talk about not sweating the small stuff! We see blessings all around us, and all of you are a part of that.
I hope this finds you and your family well. I will try to update more regularly, but for now, just assume that no news is good news.
Thanks for your thoughts and prayers.