19 February Update - Written by Kara
19 June 2021
I can’t believe it has been exactly one week since I saw Marcus post-op after his surgery, one of the most profoundly gut-wrenching moments of my life. The week since then feels like it has flashed by in an instant but dragged on forever at the same time.
Marcus and I want to thank each and every one of you who has reached out to us, offered your support, donated to Marcus’s Givealittle page, and helped us in any way shape or form. We are so humbled and appreciative and it’s amazing to see the love pour out in our direction. We wanted to share an update and some photos that show a glimpse of the week that has been.
Last Thursday Marcus had a craniotomy to remove a large frontal lobe brain tumour. The tumour resection went well but the surgeons weren't able to remove the whole tumour as some of it was too close to Marcus's motor cortex.
During recovery, Marcus was initially able to verbalise but then deteriorated, so he was sent for a post-op CT which showed a subdural hematoma in his brain. By the time Marcus got back to the ward after recovery and we were able to see him, he was mostly non-verbal and was experiencing left-sided hemiplegia (paralysis of the left side of his face and limbs). Both of these post-surgical symptoms were uncommon and unexpected in Marcus's case. Marcus’s speech has already improved immensely! He may still have some speech therapy for high-level speech, especially since medical terminology is part of his job.
During the week Marcus started to regain feeling and some reflexes in his left side. He now has much more movement of his facial muscles and eyes and small movements in his foot. This means he is experiencing left-sided hemiparesis (muscle and limb weakness), and the surgeons believe that with the brain swelling and surgical wound healing, as well as physical rehabilitation, he will be able to regain some function in his left side. Marcus has already started physical therapy and has been practising holding himself steady when sitting and even standing with support, only 5 days post-op!
Yesterday Marcus was transferred back to Palmerston North Hospital and is in the STAR Rehabilitation ward. We are still awaiting the formal histology results and an oncology referral to find out whether Marcus will be having any radiation or chemo.
I feel like I have been riding a rollercoaster of adrenaline rushes and exhaustion to the bone, and my head is spinning. We are trying to maintain positive mindsets and be thankful for the ‘good’ things, but we also know there will be a long journey ahead, and we both need to lean on each other and those around us. I never saw myself as a very strong person but this journey is helping me realise my inner strength, even though at times I also feel weak, helpless, and angry.
Marcus has been so strong throughout all of this, he is so courageous and resilient and I know that all the support and love from everyone is helping to hold him up. I know he will throw himself into any physical rehabilitation challenge and is determined to take control of his life and body. His new motto is “my mind is in control, not my body”. I couldn’t be more proud of him and love him so much.