Home! - September 29, 2011

This message came in at 6:30PM from Suzanne:

Stephen is home! Resting and "happy to be home."

Stephen coming home, September 29, 2011

Hi all,

We've had spotty Internet service at the hospital so a quick bullet pointed update about yesterday and today!

• Stephen was moved from ICU to his own room on Wednesday afternoon. Though we were sorry to say good bye to the wonderful nurses in the neuro ICU, we knew this was a great sign.
• The pain and swelling are much better this time around. It is likely due to the fact that they used a drain in his brain this time, that was removed yesterday as well.
• Since we were in a private room, the nurse allowed us to smuggle in a 4 year old package who was thrilled to see his daddy.
• Stephen is having an MRI this morning, Thursday, and will then be discharged! Incredible news! We expect him to be home by evening.
• The main issues we are now dealing with are what they are calling a "droopy lip" and the news from pathology about the next steps in treatment. The minor paralysis on the left side of his lip is because they needed to get much closer to the part of the brain that controls motor function, the tumor was embedded more deeply there this time. Though the pathway that controls his lip was disrupted, the neurosurgeon assured us his brain was already working on creating a new pathway. Soon that smile of his will be symmetrical again!
• We will know by the end of next week what kind of treatment Stephen will have. He did not have to have chemo or radiation last time but because this is a recurrence, the recommendation will likely be further treatment. We will keep you updated.

Thank you for all the powerful positive energy you have sent our way. Stephen has been so nourished by the kind words, offers of support, and prayers of every kind.

With much love, Suzanne

Second update, September 27, 2011

As we rode the elevator to the pre-op room this morning, Stephen found the whole experience analogous to travel. Restless sleep the night before. Attending to last minute details. The "hurry up and wait" factor once you get there. Going through all the check points. Longing to relax once on board.

When Stephen finally boarded his hospital bed, receiving first class care, he was relaxing. IV in place and pillows propped, he was ready to go.

Our trusted navigator, Dr. Berger, concluded the five and a half hour journey safely and with good news. The mission was successful and after a report from pathology next week about additional treatment, he hopes never to take us on this trip again.

Suzanne

Successful surgery - September 27, 2011

At about 1PM today, we heard from Suzanne and Liza that Stephen was out of surgery.  The surgery was successful, and it is likely that Stephen will be able to go home after a couple of days.  We will know more next week what follow-up there will be.  

Stephen felt strong and confident going into the surgery, and he and Suzanne are very grateful for the love and support they have received.  Suzanne may give me another update tonight, so please check back.

Thank you very much for your encouragements and support for Stephen, Suzanne, and Anemo!

Lang Anh

"Find joy and peace in this very moment" - September 26, 2011

"Find joy and peace in this very moment." 
          -Thich Nhat Hanh

As you can see from the photo above, Stephen and Anemo have matching hair styles. It all started last week when Stephen had Anemo shave his head in preparation for surgery. The next morning, Anemo decided that he too would like that look and Stephen took the electric razor to our son's head. Luckily no one suggested I join in solidarity.....

The lifesaver candy-like bits on Stephen's head were placed on him at his MRI appointment today. They will act as markers as the neurosurgeon navigates through his brain during the operation.

This morning was all about being tested. The MRI went well and he even agreed to stay in longer so he could help with a research project (a total of an hour and 15 min!). The MSI was next and he spent an hour and a half locked in a vault of a room answering questions so they could record his brain activity. As only Stephen would, he spent much of the time trying to come up with creative and complex answers to simple images and mundane directions.

We (two grandfathers, an uncle, a mom, and dad) proudly watched Anemo at soccer practice in the afternoon and then had a quiet and casual dinner as a family.

We are ready, as ready as we can be. The good thing about having gone through this before is that we have a sense of what to expect. The negative part of having gone through it before is being able to visualize it all. Years ago, Stephen told me I was his favorite person. Yesterday, in one of those moments when I feared what was to come, he comforted me, assuring me that all will be fine. The fact that Stephen can keep his sense of humor, maintain his equilibrium during such uncertain times, find joy and peace in the moment, for all these reasons and many more, he is my favorite person.

Suzanne

Saturday Sep 24th - Preparations

Thank you to all who have offered food, play dates for Anemo, and "anything you need!" We are truly appreciative.

Our weekend so far has been about welcoming family to SF and organizing ourselves for the week ahead. Stephen is in pre-op mode having had blood tests and a meeting with an anesthesiologist. He will have an MRI on Monday morning and spend the day meeting with doctors and having other tests. His surgery is scheduled for Tuesday 9/27 at 7:30am at UCSF. We hope to get an update to you as soon after surgery as possible.

As we did last time Stephen had brain surgery (just a little over 2 years ago), we ask that you think of an experience with him, pray, send positive energy, offer silence, play music, read a poem, tell a joke - all in his honor on Tuesday. Knowing that people all around were spending a few moments focusing on Stephen during the time he was in the operating room, was very powerful. 

Stephen feels strong and hopeful. We feel fortunate to have high quality medical care, loving friends and family, and three school communities providing nurturing support.

With love and gratitude, Suzanne

Update about Stephen

Dear Parents of Middle School Students,

We wanted to let you know that Stephen, Middle School humanities teacher and Model UN coach, has been diagnosed with a recurrence of a brain tumor and learned this past Monday that he will be undergoing surgery next Tuesday. As many of you know, Stephen was diagnosed with a brain tumor two and a half years ago. That tumor was found to be low grade. Stephen made a swift recovery after that surgery and has been in terrific health the last two years. He was surprised to learn this summer that he had a recurrent, slow-growing tumor. The decision was made to remove it early and make sure it is still low grade. Stephen could not have better care. Dr. Mitch Berger at UCSF is considered among the very best neurosurgeons in the nation.

This surgical date is four to six weeks sooner than Stephen expected and is based not on a sense of urgency but rather on his neurosurgeon’s schedule. His neurosurgeon will be out of town for large parts of October and November.

We are putting everything in place as quickly as possible -- contacting experienced former Nueva teachers to sub -- as we begin a search for a long-term (two months) sub.  Often our best recommendations come from our parents. If you know of a terrific history or English teacher, please let me know.

Stephen shared his news with your children this morning. (Today is his last day. Tests and preparation begin tomorrow.) His announcement was brief, positive in tone, optimistic, which is how he feels, and forward looking. He hopes to be in touch with students after his short hospital stay.

Stephen is a lesson in resiliency. But we know as educators and parents that, for some students, this news may trigger fears about a family member or their pet. If that is so, Janice Toben, SEL coordinator, has suggested some guidelines for talking with children about an adult’s illness. Our teachers will follow these basic guidelines and we hope you will do the same. These include: calmly explain the facts; respect the understandable emotions of concern and compassion; notice if this is bringing up any issues or concerns that students may be connecting to family illnesses; remain positive and do not overly dwell on worry or speculation.  Teachers will be guided by our team and the school counselor, Jessica Nenner. If you would like to discuss any of these guidelines or your concerns about what this might trigger in your child, please don’t hesitate to contact one of our SEL teachers or Jessica.

During advisory next week, students will be given time to create unique, creative cards, videos, or assorted art to send to Stephen. Last time, students made 1000 cranes, which Stephen still has in his home. We will also set up a blog where students can post their comments to Stephen.  We’ll work closely with his faculty liaison, Liza Raynal, and our wonderful parent organization, Helping Hands, to provide support for Stephen and his family.

Let me close with a note from Stephen to each of you.

"I have thoroughly enjoyed working with your children even for these few short weeks and can't wait to be back at Nueva at the beginning of January. I have tremendous optimism about my prognosis, and I'm thrilled to have the top neurosurgeon at UCSF in my corner. (His last words to me: "We will fix this.") And how cool to be able to walk across Golden Gate Park, past the Conservatory of Flowers and through the Children's Playground, to my own brain surgery! Until my return, at least after I am off painkillers, I look forward to keeping in touch and following your children's progress from a small distance away."

Your healing thoughts and best wishes to Stephen, his wife Suzanne (a former Nueva teacher), and their son Anemo are deeply appreciated.

Best,

Diane