Saturday, February 1 around 4:00 Tim had, what we know now, a seizure while working in the yard.  He never lost consciousness or fell down, but lost all ability to speak and a little facial drooping. He walked to the house to find me and we headed to the closest hospital.  A dear MD friend called ahead and met us at the ER.  In the next hour Tim had two more seizures at the hospital for all staff (and me) to witness and confirm he was having seizures and not a stroke.  The ER did a CT and MRI with contrast and after giving seizure meds he quickly was completely normal.

January 2022 Tim was diagnosed with vertigo and also had covid before his 2022 MRI.  Our ENT saw inflammation on his brain scan but chalked it up to covid.  In the Lord’s perfect plan the hospital had on file an MRI from 3 years ago to contrast yesterday’s MRI.  The radiologist report showed that there has been some growth since the first scan and suggested that it is a “slow growth astrocytoma”, repeat, slow growth.

After many, many suggestions from doctor friends we will go to UAB to, hopefully, have a biopsy this week.  Since Tim is low risk the hospital discharged him and tomorrow will pick up his seizure meds and start contacting UAB.

Tuesday Tim and I were supposed to go to Europe for 11 days.  Proverbs 16:9 The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps. We have a peace and complete confidence in God’s timing of ALL of the above.  We covet your prayers.

Tim Update Feb 4

Tim’s had two good nights’ sleep in his own bed and went to work for a few hours yesterday and today.  Due to the seizures/meds he is not allowed to drive so I am relearning how to arrange my day around carpool line.

We had an appointment with our general practitioner,  Dr Stewart Tankersley (also a dear friend from church), this morning and he spoke with the preferred UAB neurosurgeon, Kristen Riley, last night. She is out of town this week at a conf but will look at Tim’s scans to determine if he needs to be seen this week or if it can wait til next week.

Thanks for your concern and praying to the Great Physician on Tim’s behalf.

More Updates!

Tim just got off the phone with Dr. Riley.  He has been scheduled for an fMRI (look it up, it's fascinating) tomorrow morning at the Kirkland Clinic at UAB. Also scheduled is a stereotactic biopsy Monday, February 10. Praise God for his swift hand in allowing appointments to open with the fMRI machine that has been broken and the biopsy with Dr. Riley.

Update on Tim:

Long day! We had appointments all day today to prepare for Monday’s biopsy and ended with Tim having his f(function)MRI.  This technology will provide a mapping around the tumor to greatly assist the neurosurgeon for the biopsy and following surgery.  The Kirkland Clinic is a fabulous hospital with knowledgeable, friendly and helpful employees. We are so thankful Tim is there and to all that helped him get in with this group.

On Sunday we will head back to Birmingham and will report early Monday morning to the hospital for the left stereotactic brain biopsy. If the tumor is benign then Tim will return the following Monday for another surgery to remove.

We feel so loved by all the outpouring of prayers, texts, calls and assistance.  But mostly we feel an ever present love of the Great Physician that has shown us how He has gone before us in all details and gives us an overwhelming peace and sense of humor through this trial.

Monday, February 10

After a lovely evening watching the Super Bowl Ads with the Drapers we checked in to UAB at 9:30 this morning.  Tim is the second surgery so they just took him back at 11:45. Setting him up with all the computers and head gear and the procedure total will likely take about two hours.  We met with Dr. Kristen Riley and she explained that the new(er) growth (comparing films 2022 to 2025) has extended into the frontal lobe in an area that greatly affects speech which has more risk.  So today she will only biopsy the original spot in the Insula. 

Please pray for Dr. Riley’s decisions and her precision in extracting the portion to biopsy. After the procedure Tim will be in recovery another two hours before I can see him. Before taking him back Tim was napping… no anesthesia necessary. Thankful for God’s comfort and peace. Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

6:00 p.m. Update

All went as expected with the biopsy. The sample was taken from the interior area (in the Insular Cortex) which is the area that appeared on the original MRI.  The portion that is in the frontal lobe is the part that caused the focal seizures that impacted his speech.  They already know this very small section has affected speech so they don’t want to touch it right now.  As for the results for the fMRI and the biopsy, apparently the answer is wait, wait, wait.  Not what anyone wants to hear.  But both tests take 7-10 days to receive the full report.  I know, UGH. 

I’m typing from the waiting room.  After about 1.5 hrs in recovery they let me go back.  Tim felt fine with a tad of nausea from the anesthesia. We got to visit for about 15 min but he was really enjoying the benefits of the anesthesia and I got sent back to the waiting room.  He’s been assigned to a room so I’m waiting for them to call me back. He will be discharged tomorrow, although I’m not sure what time of the day. 

We will both get to speak more in length with Dr. Riley in the morning, but my understanding is the plan is to return next Monday to laser (it’s called LITT-laser interstitial thermal therapy) the astrocytoma in the Insula area. Again, we are grateful to be here at UAB and to have such peace that our Savior has given so abundantly.

Tuesday, February 10 morning update

Great night sleep (both of us), no nausea and got to meet with Dr. Riley.  We are ready to bust out of this joint, at least for today😀. Dr. Riley is waiting for the preliminary and extensive reports (biopsy and fMRI) and as of now the plan is to be back here at UAB for her to LITT Tim’s area in the Insula. Unfortunately no new information, no specific diagnosis. Thank y’all for your concern and prayers!!!

Friday, Feb 14 ❤️🩷🤍

For Valentine’s Day Tim took me to Birmingham! We got a call yesterday that they will proceed with the LITT surgery on Monday so today is all about pre-op.  We met with Dr. Riley and she explained the unbelievable process of “heating up" the tumor in the Insula to kill the tissue.  Not all of the results are back from the (function)MRI and biopsy but the tumor is not benign, it is not Grade 1, as we had hoped.  The molecular portion of the biopsy will determine the Grade which usually takes the longest to process.

Our prayer is that the LITT will completely annihilate the original portion of the tumor. Then we would only have to deal with the “hot” area located in the left frontal lobe that is more difficult to reach because we already know that it is imbedded in the area affecting speech (causing the seizures and loss of speech). So after the surgery we will begin our new relationship with Dr. Nabors, Neuro-Oncologist. Dr. Riley said that Tim will have radiation to attempt to kill the existing area and possibly chemotherapy (the pill form).

We report to UAB at 5:30 a.m. Monday morning, with the surgery starting about 7:00. It is much more set up (head gear, titanium bolts, laser alignment, computer, robot, MRI) than actual lasering. This process will take 4-6 hours and spend the night for observation.

Tim feels and looks great.  With the seizure meds he has no mental or physical effects. He has worked every day that he has not been at UAB. The Lord protects us and sustains us every day. He is our Rock, Prince of Peace, Shepherd, Redeemer and our Great Physician. 

Mon, Feb 17

Surgery Day

They took Tim back at 7:00 and the nurse said it would be at least an hour of set up.  Tim will be awake for most of set up.  We were told that the plan is for 3 projections meaning that Dr. Riley found three safe direct laser shots to the original tumor that they plan to heat until the irregular tissue dies. They will insert titanium bolts into his skull to direct the laser to the exact spot.  This is all MRI led (the neurosurgeon can see what she is doing inside the head on the live MRI screen).

Pray for Dr. Riley to have wisdom and precision.  Pray that the Lord would use this process to remove all irregular cells in his brain. Pray for quick recovery. Pray for the waiting process and for Sam and Nettie (and me too) to trust in Lord and not be fearful or anxious.

12:30 Update

As mentioned before the setup is really long.  They did not begin lasering until 10:00 and I just got a call saying they should be finishing up in the next hour. He will likely be in pre-op for several hours.  They said he’s doing great.  Thanks for everyone’s care and interest!

4:45 Update

They finished the surgery about 2:00 and Dr. Riley was very pleased with the results! There are a lot more holes in his head. There are 5 markers that the robot reads, 3 trajectories (where the laser shoots in) and 3 holders for the headgear. But all very small and barely noticeable. Tim had a little bit of bleeding so instead of a regular room we will spend the night in the ICU.  The upside… not waiting 3-5 hours for a room. He will have a CT scan in the morning as follow up and then discharge us as planned.

Shoutout to some surprise visitors to brighten my day and one got to visit with Tim briefly. My dear friend from Atlanta drove over to spend the day with me and got to see Tim too.  His first few comments to her were about her youngest going to Auburn next year. Even brain surgery cannot wipe away his love for our Orange and Blue!

Thank y’all for all the texts and prayers and even asking strangers to pray for Tim.  We are so thankful the Lord has blessed us with such a great community and continue to praise God for His goodness to us.

Tuesday 9:15 a.m.

Tim got his appetite back around 1:00 a.m. and ate a full meal before getting a middle of the night CT scan.  Dr. Riley gave the thumbs up on his scan this morning and we are currently being discharged.  Hope to be on the road home in the next hour!

February 19

We actually didn’t make it home until the afternoon and after getting Pearl home and a warm meal delivered (awesome neighbors are the best!) it was nice to watch a show, then turn in early. 

I’m not sure what I expected after major brain surgery but things are moving a little slower than after the biopsy.  Tim seems to process everything sharply but is having trouble with some of the words coming out correctly and said he feels a little “shaky” physically. A specific prayer request is that all of this would return to normal quickly.  

We should hear from the neuro oncologist, Dr. Nabors this week and hopefully will have the initial appointment in the next week or so to see how to proceed.

I was reminded this morning in Isaiah how God is the LORD, our Holy One, the Creator, and our King. He is in control of the mighty seas and can destroy our enemies. We rest in His control, not ours. 

Side note, Tim is having trouble with some words… but not when he’s praying😁

February 22

Since we have never experienced brain surgery and the neurosurgery team sent Tim home the next day we had no idea what to expect.  For us, this is what the recovery looks like: Tim has brain fogginess, has difficulty finding some words and weakness in his right hand and leg. The symptoms are more pronounced when he first wakes up and gets tired.

If you have ever met Tim you know that he is a go-getter and it is difficult to keep him still. Would y’all please pray that Tim would rest and that I would make wise decisions about how much I let him go/do.  When should he have some activity for encouragement or when to say no, I won’t drive you or please put that pickax down (yes, that did happen)?

We have not received the pathology from the biopsy.  We have an appointment Thursday with the UAB neuro-oncologist, Dr. Nabors and hopefully will discuss Tim's treatment path.

Dr. Riley’s office suggested that Tim start therapy for his speech and right side weakness so hoping to hear from the occupational and speech therapists next week.

Thanks to all for your calls, texts, meals, prayers, anything we need. Please pray for us, especially Sam and Nettie, as we process how our lives have suddenly changed and fear might set in. 

February 27

We met with our new oncologist, Dr. Nabors, at UAB.  He was very thorough in explaining the process. Tim will have radiation M-F for six weeks at our cancer center here in Montgomery.  He will also be taking an oral chemotherapy seven days a week for those same six weeks, then have four weeks off and they will do some testing.  Some of the side effects may be nausea, fatigue, dropping of white blood count so this will be monitored.  This will begin as soon as possible which will hopefully be in the next 2-3 weeks.

Tim will also start speech and occupational therapy for strengthening of his fine motor skills and his expressive aphasia (difficulty finding the right word…I think we both have that!) from the brain surgery.

Not all of the pathology report is back so they are not able to confirm the “grade” of the tumor but all the other things they use to define the grade (aside from the total pathology information) points to a grade 3 or 4. No matter the grade, the treatment will be the same so we will press forward in starting our new normal. 

Are we somewhat discouraged and sad and exhausted? Yes.  But we are not without hope.  Hope, not in the great doctors we have, but in our Lord and Savior. Every morning I hear Tim reading this passage out loud:

Psalm 103:1-5 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! 2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, 3 who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, 4 who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, 5 who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

March 6

Tim has had a lot of appointments this week: speech, OT, CT, MRI, met his local oncologist for chemotherapy and radiation oncologist.  And today he had his mask made for his radiation. On Monday, March 17 he will begin chemo seven days a week and radiation Mon-Fri for six weeks.  Afterwards will be a break for four weeks and then will have scans to determine the next part of the journey.

Tim is gaining strength and clarity each day as his brain is healing from the LITT surgery and his daily naps are getting shorter.  He has gone to the office for at least two hours a day and plans to increase as he heals. All pathology results are in and they have diagnosed his tumor as a glioblastoma, Grade 4. Even with this news we have not lost hope… or our sense of humor.

Thanks for all those who are praying. Here are specific requests: complete healing, stamina when he begins the radiation/chemo, and that Sam and Nettie would be encouraged and always run to the Lord.  Our world has been rocked, but our foundation is firm in the promises of God. Psalm 119:50 This is my comfort in my affliction, that your promise gives me life.

March 8

There’s Laser Interstitial Thermal Therapy, chemo therapy, radiation therapy.  And then there’s this…
(pic of Tim on his tractor)
Tractor Therapy!

March 16

Tomorrow Tim will start his six weeks of radiation and chemo.  The chemo is in pill form that is taken one hour before his 2:30 radiation appointment. This is believed to be the most optimal time for the chemo to assist the radiation in effectiveness. The biggest side effects are nausea (Tim has been given two anti nausea meds to help prevent), fatigue and loss of appetite.

Please pray with us that the chemo and radiation will kill all cancer cells, that Tim would have no side effects, and that we would be given opportunity to share the hope we have in the Lord.

March 17

No nausea! Tim said he has felt perfectly normal all day.  He even got on the riding lawnmower this afternoon. Thank you for praying (and please keep pleading) on Tim’s/our behalf. One day down, 41 to go.

March 21

Tim has finished his first week of radiation/chemo and, praise God, he has had no side effects.  He has two days off from radiation but must still take the chemo pill Sat and Sun.  For those who don’t get to see Tim in person, this is what our week looked like: Tim has gone to work each day (either the office or to Auburn for meetings) between 8:00-8:30, eat lunch by 11:30, anti nausea pill at 12:30, chemo pill at 1:30, then to CARO for radiation at 2:30.  He has done a little more yard work, a nap every other day, dinner, then March Madness.  We are so thankful the Lord has protected Tim from any of the side effects of the treatments so far. We are grateful for all who have prayed, called, texted, etc. to encourage us in this journey. We were told that the effects build up so please keep praying for effectiveness in killing the cancer cells and to maintain his energy level.

James 5:16b The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.

March 29

Tim has successfully completed his second week of treatment.  He has had a tad of nausea for the last few days, but otherwise has formed a routine of working at least 5-6 hours, getting some exercise and maintaining his daily routine of anti nausea, chemo, and radiation before coming home and doing some yard work.  We even made a day trip to the University of Mobile to see Nettie play one of her spring games before making it home to cheer for Auburn 🏀🦅🏀.

Please continue to pray for healing, death to all cancer cells, no nausea or other side effects, endurance, energy, patience, and that Tim, Sam, Nettie and I would run to the Lord daily.