Hey Everyone! I’m so sorry it’s been awhile since our last update. In trying to keep up with everything I haven’t been able to blog. But to get everyone caught up to speed, here’s what’s been going on. So we’ve had our two week check up and everything is healing great! She is off all the serious pain meds, Praise God! Her memory is doing better each day, and though she says she still feels “out of it” from time to time I see her getting better each day. Still working on having her integrate back in to being a mother of 5, but we are taking that easy at first. Lol. As for the Stone family, we are doing good, still making adjustments and trying to go back to normal everyday living. In some aspects it’s been easy, in others it’s been pretty tough, but thank God we have His grace and wisdom! I’m am however excited to say we are working on a few projects and ideas that we think you’ll all love and enjoy (can’t disclose them just yet, but pretty stoked) 😉! I know I keep saying this, but thank you again for all the support. Danielle keeps saying she wishes she could write everyone thank you cards but because so many people jumped in and helped that’d be so hard to do. From people praying, supporting us financially, helping with some cleaning, watching the kids, bringing us dinner (all of them were so delicious!) Not to mention loaning us vehicles… The list is crazy, so for all who helped…. THANK YOU, from the Stone Family! Hope to update more in the future. 🙂
Update 10
Hey Everyone!
Sorry it’s been so long since the last update. We’ve been spending a great deal of time in prayer and seeking wisdom about our next steps. So to fill everyone in, last Wednesday we had a follow up with Doctor Youssef about the biopsy results and the verdict is that the tumor is a grade 2. Which means that it’s NOT cancerous, Praise God!! But it does mean that the best way to take care of it is to operate. The surgery will take 4-6 hours with an expected 4-5 days in the hospital. The recovery process at home is still unclear to some extent but we are praying and believing for a fast recovery. Everybody has been so helpful and amazing, praying with and for us, blessing us, helping with meals, watching the kids, and so much more. This has been a crazy journey, but we’re not out just yet.
We are continuing to ask people for prayer. Prayer that the surgeons hands are anointed and that he has wisdom as well as his team, that this will be a textbook surgery or better, one they can use to teach med students exactly how to do this surgery. Prayer that Danielle’s mind and body recover with NO long term and little to no short term effects according to Gods Word (Psalm 91:1-6, Proverbs 4:20-22, Jermiah 33:6, I Peter 2:24), and that we can get back to our normal lives! We also ask for prayer for strength and peace for all of us (Isaiah 41:10, John 14:27, John 16:33, Philippians 4:6-7, I Peter 5:7, Nehemiah 8:10). Lastly we ask that you stand in faith with us financially. God has used so many of you to bless us (and humble me), and we are so grateful for it. Now we look to the future costs and the fact that Danielle and I are stuck not being able to work for a little bit. I am setting up stuff at home so that I can detail interiors of cars for a good price (that way I can still put my hands to something and keep an eye on the kids and Danielle at the same time, plus I use to be a professional detailer). Also I do have the equipment to convert VHS’s into DVD’s for a really small price (We’re also continuing to pray for more ideas of things to do from home to make money). But all that won’t be able to start till we get back and I get Danielle situated at home. So once again I ask that you pray, and if you fill led or inclined to give I promise it will be seed well sown. The link for that is http://www.gofundme.com/dfx44g Where we are at right now is it will probably cost another $4,000-$5,000 total till I can get things up and running to work from home while she recovers. That will cover our expenses for the next month as well as expenses while at the hospital (hotel, fuel, etc).
So that’s where we are at right now with everything. Danielle has a scheduled CT Scan today in Rifle, and we head out to Denver tomorrow sometime with the surgery set for Friday. We plan to be back home by Tuesday or Wednesday. We know and believe that what the enemy meant for our destruction, God will turn to good (John 10:10), and just so you guys know (I think I said this already in past blogs) but every hospital we’ve been at and the nurses and doctors we’ve talked to keep telling us what an amazing support system we have, and I couldn’t agree more. It’s been amazing watching God’s love in motion. I pray God’s blessings on everyone. Until our next update.
The Stone Family
Update 9
Good evening everyone,
Sorry it has been awhile since the last update. It’s been a crazy couple of days. As most of you know we left the hospital on Wednesday to head home. Since then it’s been a game of getting back in the groove but also allowing for some well needed rest for both Danielle and myself. For Danielle obviously because of the surgery but also because the doctors had to do cognitive testing every hour so she really didn’t get to sleep for more than an hour at a time for the full two weeks needless to say she wasn’t sleeping well. As for myself, the going to bed at 3am and waking up at 6am most nights was starting to get to me. So for the first few days back it was mainly catch up on sleep. Though we’re not quite there yet yesterday and today was the first time it really started to feel a little normal again. Danielle is still adjusting and is still having some memory problems and a sense of time but is getting better each day. Praise God! Today is the last day she’s on prescription medicine so we get to see how that goes.
We did see our family doctor today to get some lab work done and should have the results of those back tomorrow. We’re also hoping we can get the rest of the results on the biopsy tomorrow as well.
I know there has been some confusion so to clarify, the surgery did not remove the tumor, they did a biopsy to see what kind it was and they in essence made a new path for the brain fluid to drain since the tumor was blocking it from draining. So for those who’ve been praying we thank you so much, but also ask to keep praying, this whole thing isn’t over just yet. We are believing the results will come back negative on cancer, and that we will know and have wisdom on exactly what we need to do next.
I know I’ve said it before but it needs repeating. Thank you so much to everyone! The nurses and doctors kept saying how blessed we were to have such a huge support of people. In prayer, financially, visiting, food, entertainment of the kids, watching the kids, loaning cars for rides, and so much more. The nurses got a kick out of listening to the kids tell their mommy about their trip to the zoo (that some friends and family paid for them to go to), or the fun they had at the pool, and all the adventures they had really. I even watched one of the nurses tear up a little at the beauty of watching some friends come and pray with us. It’s those little things that speaks volumes to not just us, but those around us. So again thank you! Until next time you guys have an awesome blessed week!
Danielle watching Church service:
Heading Home!
Update 8:
Update 8:
Hello everyone,
I’m very sorry I wasn’t able to post anything the last few days, as you know it’s been busy. Danielle had her surgery a few days ago and there has been some crazy stuff. From low sodium levels at one point, to high blood pressure, to short term memory problems, it’s been a crazy ride. So to update…. She’s much better now, they clamped the external drain as of 7am this morning (Monday) and are just making sure the pressure in her brain stays stable without using it for 24 hours. Once that happens then they take the external drain out and then we start talking about leaving!!! Praise God!! We haven’t gotten the results back from biopsy but expecting good reports!
The kids had a blast at the zoo (thanks to the Bratcher family), and then had a great time at Casa Bonita (thanks to the Hauser and Vashus family). So between that, going to the movies and playing at a park and pool the kids are having fun. So thank you to those who helped because it’s taken the edge off of things for the kids.
Today was a little weird because The Vashus family and my mother-in-law left to go back home. 😦 thankfully my mom was able to come up.
We are still amazed at all the prayers, love and support you guys have given us. It’s a true blessing! Not to mention all the people who have visited us at both hospitals. Danielle would not stop talking about how glad she was of everyone who came. So before I fall asleep I’ll go ahead and post this and talk to everyone later. 🙂 night!
We win!! Hahaha!!!
Now Thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!! Hahaha!!
Update 7
The Surgery:
So if you are following us on Facebook you know that Danielle went in for surgery this morning. The came and got us at 6:30am for Pre-Op and she was wheeled in to start at 7:30am. As she rolled away I remember taking great comfort knowing that all of you had prayed, been praying and would continue to pray for her. So the procedure lasted about 3 hours, the doctor said that the hole they made for re-routing the drip was a pretty good size one and should work properly. They also said that the set of tests the could run from the biopsy that were instant came back negative of cancer (Praise God!). There are a few more tests that were sent out that we don’t get back for another 3-5 days.
Since Danielle got back from surgery she has pretty much been sleeping. They had some problems with her blood pressure and pain levels and then came the nausea. Since then it’s been a game of adding the right combo of medications to keep everything at where they need to be. At one point the pressure in her head did get to a level that the doctors didn’t like and they had to open up the manual drain (something they were hoping they wouldn’t have to do mainly because they want to test how the natural re-routed drain is working and that alters the numbers temporarily).
So that’s basically what’s going on with Danielle to this point. All that is left now is for the doctors to be satisfied with her brain draining on it’s own (which takes 2 days of it draining perfectly on it’s own) and then they take out the stint/shunt/manual drain (whatever the heck it’s called..lol) and off she goes. So for those who are praying, we are believing for a fast recovery, that everything drains properly, that her stats stay stable, her pain goes down, her nausea goes away, and that I would stay sane. 🙂 I admit today was probably in the top 5 most difficult days I’ve had. Mainly seeing my wife with a glazed look in her eye, but also I guess I was kinda expecting her to be back to herself by tonight and when that didn’t happen it started to wear on me. Not to mention all the beeps and buzzes after 12 hours seem to be getting louder and louder (at least in my head it is). But I did get some good time to pray and reset myself sort to speak, so that helped a lot.
As for the kids, they are still having fun, although they didn’t get to see Danielle today (because she was sleeping so much), so they are starting to miss her. But they did get to go see a movie with Grandma (who came out to help with the kids).
Thank you again for all your love and support! We really couldn’t be here if it wasn’t for you guys. Thank you!!! And with that, I’m going to bed. Yay! 🙂
Update 6:
So as many have heard, today did not go according to plan. At 3:30 they came and got Danielle for pre-op. The surgery was suppose to start at 4:30-5:00 but the person they were working on before hand took longer than expected. Finally at 5:30 they told us they were cleaning the room to get ready for us and that it would take about 30 min. At 5:55 they came and told us that the whole OR was on hold to perform any surgeries due to lack of nurses. So because pre-op closes at 6:00 they wheeled Danielle over to recovery (which was really weird to be in there). There we waited till about 7:00-7:30 to see if they would operate tonight. Then the surgeon himself came and said that they had asked someone if he would be ok doing his surgery later so they could do Danielle’s first. He agreed, so we are set for surgery tomorrow at 7:30! Praise God! We have been praying that everything would be in Gods timing and believe this was part of it. Though I will say that it doesn’t make it easy. To be so close to just getting it done only to have to stop and start the process over again can be emotionally draining. It’s now more than ever that I realize we have to fully lean into God in all areas of this. From taking care of the children to all the medical. We truly need God in every area!
The kids are still resilient as ever, but I can tell this is starting to wear on them a little more. Guess I can’t blame them. They haven’t seen home in a week, they are living out of a suitcase, and having to sit for crazy amounts of time in waiting rooms and Danielle’s room. Thankfully after surgery we get to take them to some fun places (people have offered tickets to museums, movies, etc…).
As for me, the lack of sleep got to me a little today, and watching my wife and her strength and patience through this whole process has brought me close to tears at times. To know all that this woman has been through and to see her still strong in her faith, pursuing God more than ever, being cheery to all the staff (she even made the surgeon take a step back and smile because of how she reacted to his news of postponing till tomorrow, she simply said, “I understand, and hey, at least we get you fresh in the morning!”). She truly is an amazing woman! I look forward to spending the rest of our lives together!
Anyway, I’m rambling now (we’ll blame it on lack of sleep). I’ll do my best to keep you updated. Again, (I can’t say it enough) thank you for the prayers, love and support! It means the world to us.
Bumped…
Ok so I got bumped into first thing tomorrow, I’m actually relieved! Again, we want it to be the right people, right timing, right circumstances. (Does anyone really want a brain surgeon starting your procedure at 10:00pm??) we actually feel much better about this.
Still in Pre-Op
Hey just wanted to let you all know I am still in pre-op waiting for the Neurosurgeons to be ready for me. God has me in His hands! We win!!
Waiting Game…
Hey this is Danielle! So basically at this point we are just waiting to be called back to the Operating Room. We have total peace at this point, we feel like we are being led by the Holy Spirit, and are praying the same for our Neurosurgeons. Steady and anointed hands, clear minds, and Holy Spirit wisdom!
It was too cool, about an hour ago we met this awesome family in the waiting room who was totally a faith family. They heard about our situation and we all joined hands and prayed together in the name of Jesus, spoke over the surgery, and declared our good outcome. It was so amazing! We are just blown away by that nice touch by God, just to assure us once again that he has this whole thing in his hands! I mean, he sent us faith people to pray with us before our procedure! How cool is that?? God is awesome and he has me in the palm of his hand. Kali’i will keep everyone updated, and we’ll be sending victory reports soon about how perfect the procedure went!! 🙂
❤️Danielle
Kali'i Stone 