UPDATE 5:30pm - Dr Ott just came by, says Leslie is looking good (I already knew that!)  He is sending her out of ICU tonight and says she can go home tomorrow morning!  Now that's a reason to happy dance!  But now it's time to fatten her up  :)

Leslie is doing a little better this morning and got a little rest last night.  She is still having some pain but is looking forward to getting out of ICU today.  She is especially looking forward to seeing Tyler tomorrow, he is supposed to come up for a visit!  HAPPY DANCE!!!

Sorry God woke some of you up in the middle of the night to pray but we're glad you did.  Thanks for all the prayers yesterday and this morning.  Thanks you Doug and Elena for the visit yesterday, sorry you didn't get a chance to see Leslie.

I will keep you updated to any changes.

UPDATE: 11:30pm - Leslie says she feels like a Mack truck ran over her then backed up to see what it hit!  She is having a lot of pain and unfortunately she does not tolerate any pain meds so she is taking only Tylenol.  Please pray that see is able to get some relief from the pain and some sleep.  Thanks, Mike

UPDATE 6:00pm - Leslie is the most BEAUTIFUL thing I have ever laid eyes upon!  She looks very well for just having brain surgery, she is awake and resting fairly comfortably.  She sends her love to all and says she couldn't have made it without your support.  I probably won't post any more updates tonight, I'm just going to hang out here until they kick me out.  Thank you again for your prayers and support.

UPDATE 5:30pm - Well allegedly Leslie left Recovery Room about half an hour ago be we haven't seen her yet :)  It takes ICU a while to get her settled and all so we're waiting patiently 

UPDATE 3:30pm - Dr Ott just came by, said everything went well.  Thanks for your prayers, I'll pass on info as I get it.

UPDATE 3:00pm - They took Leslie into the OR about 2:30 so we're just waiting to hear.  Dr. Ott said the plan is to keep her in SICU overnight, transfer her to the floor tomorrow and "home in a couple of days".  I will keep you posted

Your prayers are working, Leslie is feeling stronger and is sitting up in a chair right now.  She is scheduled for surgery today at "3:20" but we think that is just a randomly assigned estimate, she could be bumped forward or back at any time.

The steroids have kicked in and Leslie has a raging craving for JUNK FOOD!  Unfortunately, she can't eat anything this morning but she will make up for it after surgery.

She is reading your comments and messages on a regular basis and I will keep you updated as anything happens.  God is good!

Wednesday Evening Update

(Dictated by Leslie and transcribed by Mike)  From the bottom of my heart, thank you so much for your prayers, love, and encouragement.   Today was hard, too hard.  I had 8 tumors to treat, some of them more than once - I had to go in and out of the Gamma Knife about 15 times to be repositioned.  At one point I prayed really hard to feel Jesus holding my hand.  As soon as I prayed that prayer, one of the nurses lifted the blankets and held my hand. 

I do have my boxing gloves ready for tomorrow but I need prayers for strength.  I am so grateful for all the e-mails, texts and comments - it is what has helped us get through the day.  Even if I haven't gotten back to you, know that I have recieved your message.

Leslie has had a rough day, but she made it though with a smile on her face and a big thumbs up :)   Yes Denise, the fries came from the cafeteria but we're going to have Monica bring in some McDonalds later.  Leslie sends her love and gratefulness to all and she loves the hugs everyone is sending.

UPDATE - 5:00PM - They got the halo off of Leslie's head about 4:00.  It has been a LONG day for her but it's done now.  She is resting, eating French Fries and trying to get comfortable.  They ended up treating 8 tumors, so it took quite a while.  Thank you for all your prayer, your comments, and your support - we treasure them

UPDATE - They took Leslie into the Gamma Knife about 1:20, they expect treatment to take about 60 - 90 minutes.  I don't know what the treatment plan was but I will update when she is back in her room.

UPDATE 10:45AM - The halo has been installed and Leslie is off to MRI, she is doing well.  I have no wireless connection in the Gamma Knife room so I'll update in a few hours when everything is done.

UPDATE 6:30AM - We had not heard any confirmation on the Gamma Knife yesterday so I stopped by to check with them this morning; it is scheduled and they are aware she is an inpatient.  They plan to bring her down later in the morning (10 o'clock-ish) so she doesn't have to sit there all morning with the frame screwed to her head.  God is good.

Good Tuesday evening.  I am winding down now for the night and my thoughts are that I am ready to face the Gamma Knife surgery tomorrow and get it done and over with.  I will then have my brain surgery on Thursday afternoon if the plan doesn't change again.  I am ready to get that done too. I am mentally ready because of all the kind and sweet prayers for me.  Thanks everyone!  I have some really cool things to share with you when I get back home.  I am ready to be out of this place and be back home.  I can tell you that I will not miss at all getting my blood pressure taken every 4 hours around the clock.  My right arm is hurting a lot from all of the needle sticks.  They had to make a new IV today before surgeries the next two days.  The last IV was sore and bruised.  I was really going to try not to get a new port again before my new treatments start but after this week I am really thinking that it would be a great idea to get it put back in.  My arm is way too sore and my veins are too weak .One day at a time.

My roommate is a 102 year old lady who is funny.  She had a total knee replacement and is doing well.  She makes me giggle a lot. 

Vicki Rush.....I read that book already and loved it!!

I am falling asleep with a happy heart and a BIG smile on my face.  You have blessed me beyond measure with your keeping me uplifted and encouraged.  I have so many things to say to so many of you!  Your generosity knows no measures!!  May God continually bless you all with his richest blessings!! 

You probably won't hear from me for awhile.  Mike will do his best to keep you informed.  I am being very well taken care of.  The hospital staff is great!

Good night all.  Sweet dreams!!  I am sleepy now.  Let's hope I sleep better tonight.  :)

UPDATE 11:00 - See my comment below

Good Tuesday morning!!!  I have been awake since 3:00 a.m. West Coast time and have already had a couple of tests run this morning.  Well I am sure that you have heard by now that I am having brain surgery tomorrow morning.  The tumor is too big to treat with the Gamma Knife and there is some bleeding.  Not sure of the exact time yet.  Will post when I know.  Thanks for praying.  The Gamma Knife had been approved.  We are not sure what happened there.  They may have thought that the only tumor I have is the one they are removing but Dr. Ott said that he would get it all straightened out.  Am I nervous about the surgery???  Yep.  I wish that I didn't have a couple of days to think about it.  But I am doing okay.  The Lord will definitely see me through this too.  I trust the Lord.  I had a bunch of tests run yesterday so it looks like I might have an uneventful day today, which is a nice break.  Please keep praying for strong veins.  I am having lots of problems with them.  I am on a lot of meds right now.

Thanks so much for all the offers to bring us up stuff.  Jenn and Jeff are coming and will bring stuff and I think Mike is going to try to sneak down there for a bit today.  We will see.  

An older gentlman was coming by all of the rooms with his sweet little Yorkie dog to visit patients.  He was a cutie and I was thrilled to spend some time with the dog.  I had a room to myself until last night.  I now have a roommate and so far so good.  I hope it stays that way.  

You have kept Mike and I so encouraged and we love looking at all the comments several times a day.  It really lifts our spirits.  Jenna and Jeff are headed up soon.  But if you see them out and about please give them a hug and tell them that it is from their momma.  We miss Tyler like crazy!!!  I want Jen to sneak him in to me hahaha!  Thankfully they text me video and pics of him constantly.  Makes me smile.  I call and talk to him on the phone too.

Have a terrific day everyone!!  Today is another precious gift from God and He is so Good!!  Keep on making fabulous memories with your families!  Rent a movie, pop some popcorn, make microwave smores and break out the soda pop and have a family movie night on a blanket on the floor of your family room. 

I don't know where we are in reading the bible in a year.  Just keep reading

at least 3 or 4 chapters a day and I will straighten it out later.

Prayer requests:  For the comfort for a family who lost a dear loved one this week unexpectedly.  Pray for all of their friends too.Also pray for all the families who are dealing with the loss of a loved one peace and comfort. 

We have appreciated all of our visitors but can't have any tomorrow due to the surgery.  Just my family. I still don't know when I will get to go home.  I am hoping for this weekend.

Thanks again for the encouraging prayers, comments, e-mails, texts, cards, etc....It means so much!  Mike will update later if we have news to share.

My love to you all.