Friday, May 15, 2009

Dr. Couldwell Assessment & Pathology Report

Dr. Couldwell just came to Jodi's room to share the pathology report, which showed that hers was a "low-grade tumor". This is exceptionally good news! In fact, this is like the best case scenario!

THIS IS ONE OF THE MIRACLES WE'VE BEEN PRAYING FOR!!!!

Dr. Couldwell indicated that there should be no further treatment needed, except to help with the temporary problems she is experiencing. He believes that in a few weeks she'll be past these challenges. He did say that as a future precaution an occasional MRI would be done to see if what remains of the tumor has grown, but nothing else should be required.

This is such an incredible blessing!!! We are thrilled!!! We know that all of the prayers have been answered and that the Lord has been watching over Jodi throughout this entire process.

We will continue to update you on how Jodi progresses with the eye, ear, facial muscles, and spinal headache challenges.

Once recovery from the suregery is complete it will then be possible to assess if any of the original symptoms (headaches, dizziness, veritgo) remain. If any of those symptoms still are apparent, it will be the symptoms that will be treated not the brain tumor! It is possible that permanent damage may have been done to the nerves where the tumor was located. That means there is still a possiblity that some of those symptoms could remain in the future.

Thank you again for all the prayers, fasting, and faith! They have made all the difference! Before the surgery Jodi would be blessed with some "good days" where she was able to function a little bit. Some days there were only a few "good hours" or a few "good minutes", but all of those good moments came in direct response to everyone's prayers. Today's news feels in a real way like a culmination of these special blessings.

We know there are still challenges to overcome and it won't be easy during this recovery period, but Jodi and our entire family feel so incredibly blessed...more than we can ever adequately express! Thank you again for being such a critical part of this amazing miracle!

31 comments:

Diane said...

What wonderful news! Thank you for the update. I love you guys!

Brian Lopez said...

FANTASTIC!

Joni said...

I'm so happy that the results came back in Jodi's favor! That is wonderful news! I will continue to pray That all goes well with the recovery process! Thank you for all your updates! Love to all of you!

Amy Wicks said...

B E S T N E W S E V E R!!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

That is such great news! Jodi - continue to rest and get feeling better. We love you. Tolan, Von and Sherri - I am so thrilled for all of you. Love, Sue Davis and family

Julie Johnson said...

So glad to hear the good news! We will to continue to pray for the best recovery possible. Thanks for the updates.

Cathy said...

Yeah!!! I coudn't be happier for you.

Anonymous said...

YES!!! How thrilling and WONDERFUL. I could not even finish reading before I got on the phone and called the Bennetts and told them to read the good news on the Blog. Can't wait to share the news in a few minutes with some some young women who will be doing yard work for a lady they adore. Wonder who that could be? SMILE. We will be celebrating! Wendy T.

Debbie Rhoads said...

I'm so thrilled!! Brandon just called to give me the news and nothing could have been better news. I'm so happy for you!! Hang in there with the recovery and hopefully everything gets back to "normal" soon for all of you. We love you.

Darlene said...

Jodi,
We're so glad to hear that your pathology report was good news! Hope your recovery continues to bring good reports and that you are soon recovering at home :-)
Love
Mark & Darlene
ps you deserve to be babied after all this, try using a baby spoon at meal times...

britt said...

that is the BEST news yet. Just what everyone, YOU especially, have wanted to hear! I am so happy for you Jodi and pray for your continued recovery to be positive.

Tami Searle said...

Dear Jodi and Family,

This is truly such a miracle and a blessing. Congratulations to you all. This must really feel like a huge accomplishment! I was so happy to read this today-thanks for keeping us all posted. May God continue to bless you all.
Love,

Tami

Diana said...

That is such wonderful news! I am so happy for you and your family! May the blessing keep coming as you recover.

Brandi said...

Yay! What wonderful news!! I'm so happy for you all.

I pray that Jodi will have a speedy recovery.

Love,
Brandi

Anonymous said...

Best news I've heard in a very long time. We couldn't be more relieved and happy for your family. I believe we have all had our faith grow during this trial. Miracles happen!! Love, Annette

Greek Goddess said...

It's so interesting to me how modern technology connects us. A few days ago my friend Karen M. asked all her friends through facebook to pray for her high school friend Jodi. I went to this blog, read the story and included Jodi in my prayers and thoughts.

Jodi, I don't know you, but you are my sister nonetheless. You are a wife, a mother, a daughter, a friend and an individual who didn't want to give up on life yet. I'm so grateful for your good news. It made me cry. I feel like my prayers on your behalf were answered, too.

I wish you a speedy recovery and courage and strength to get through the remaining pain. I'm so happy for you, for your family and all those who love you and wanted things to work out well for you. May Heavenly Father continue to bless you.
Dorothea W.

Anonymous said...

That is the BEST news I have heard in a long time. Prayers do get answered and miracles happen, you are proof of that! I am so excited for all of you! Love, April B.

Karen said...

Thank goodness for those blessings from heaven! (wink) I am SO thrilled for Jodi! Love to you all!! Love, Karen

Anonymous said...

Congratulations Jodi, loving family and dear friends. Praises be to our compassionate Father,and our Savior Jesus Christ for their tender mercies and intervention on Jodi's behalf. Have a great weekend & Best wishes to all.
Aloha.

Lesumas.

Joyce Read said...

I am so happy to hear the results are so positive ! Won't stop prayer for you and your speedy recovery. You are one strong, couragous brave, awsome, women!!

Jeff DuBois said...

Jeff DuBois once again . . . just wanted to say how happy I am to hear the fantastic outcome. I must admit that Jodi's experience is so eerily similar to my wife's surgery from two years ago. Everything from the facial paralysis, the eye lid that won't close completely, the eye drops and the eye patch . . . the only difference so far is that my wife's incision was in a different location. But I've been there before, and can relate 100 percent. I can tell you that things definitely get easier. I gained a new appreciation for just how much the human body can tolerate, given healthy doses of pain medication, of course! Thanks for the regular updates. Tolan, you now belong to an exclusive club . . . the "my wife conquered brain surgery club." I haven't seen Jodi in 12 years, but please tell her that I would love the four of us to connect over dinner at some point. The girls can compare notes, and you and I can sit back with smiles on our faces and openly admit to everyone that our wives are MUCH tougher than we could ever hope to be!

Anonymous said...

We are thrilled to hear the great news! Steve really enjoyed talking to Tolan. You continue to be in our family prayers. Next time you are in Disneyland, no teacups! Love, The Gardanier Gang

Flints Facts said...

WONDERFUL NEWS!! All of our prayers have been answered, our faith strenghtened,and Miracles do happen!
Thanks for the updates...
You will continue to be in our thoughts and prayers during your recovery. Hang in there!
We love you, Kelly and Family

Gonzalo said...

Great news!!! I am so happy for you Jodi and everyone in your family. All my love to you!
Felicitaciones!
Tu amigo,
Gonzalito!!

Carolyn said...

Hi. This is fantastic news we've all been waiting to hear the post surgery pathology reports. Hang in there Jodi. There will be challenges ahead. We continue to pray that you will have a speedy recovery. I am soo glad you have all your family with you every step of the way. Have a good weekend!

Love,
Carolyn, David, Andrew, Chelsea, & Savannah

Randal and Ann Allred said...

We are so happy to hear this news!We have been praying for her too, and hope that she continues to receive these tender mercies and outright miracles. God is Good!

Much Aloha

Randal and Ann Allred
Laie

Tina said...

Your family is an amazing example to us all. Jodi, keep improving and keep smiling... you're a beautiful girl inside and out, and I have no doubt that you'll pull through this and continue to accomplish all the things you, your adorable children and wonderful husband have ahead of you. Much love and gratitude for the way things are going in your recovery. God bless you all..
Tina Callister Allred

Anonymous said...

WooHoo! What great news! Stay strong Jodi and try to get some rest. You are such a strong and courageous woman. I will continue to pray for you and your family as you heal and recover from this ordeal. Love to you all!

Jennifer (Johnson)

Karen Liu said...

Jodi,
Miracles do happen! I am so happy, I am crying as I type this. All of my FB friends and family have been praying for you and will continue to do so. (I'm glad my good friend Dorothea even sent you a message!)

That's one beautiful battle scar, my friend!

Much love,
LIU

=Molly= said...

GREAT NEWS! THIS MADE MY DAY!!!!!
HERE IS HOPE FOR FAST HEALING!!
LOVE YOU!

Bill's Musings said...

You continue to be in our thoughts and prayers--and know how blessed you are to be surrounded by such caring family and friends. We appreciate the updates and learn from your examples.
Bill and Dianna Neal