Today, fill your cup of life with sunshine and laughter.
~Dodinsky


23 January 2008

A MESSAGE FROM MAC


I am going to ask that all of Coco’s and my friends rally in support of Coco at a very trying time. For the past several months, Coco has been dealing with a health issue. I am not speaking of her over-sized, pre-cancerous ovarian cyst, the surgery and post-operative complications of last autumn. Rather, Coco has lost all hearing in her right ear. She has become profoundly deaf in that ear, which for a musician and music teacher is devastating. The hearing loss has been gradual, but was not addressed due to more pressing health concerns at the time, even though she made her doctor aware of a hearing problem two years ago. For various reasons, she and I chose not to let anyone know until further test results were available. Those results are now in, and she and I decided that I should be the one to let everyone know the results.


Coco had an MRI performed on Monday, 21 January 2008, and was told the results Tuesday, 22 January 2008. Apparently, she has what is known as an Acoustic Neuroma. In short, she has a tumor that began growing inside the auditory nerve of her right ear. The tumor is benign, but has grown to over 15mm x 25 mm in size, large enough to be pressing on the brain. Left untreated, this tumor, though benign, will kill her. She must have surgery. Unfortunately, removal of the tumor is not easy, and will not reverse the hearing loss; it is permanent. And the surgery will most likely have short- and intermediate-term side-effects such as having to learn to walk again, relearn certain hand-eye movements, among others.


The tumor is large enough to put her in an emergency situation, and the surgery will be scheduled sometime within the next four months. She will have the surgery as soon as it is scheduled, but will first have to visit with specialists in towns distant from her own. And the surgery can not be performed locally, requiring her to go to a distant location for surgery and recovery. Minimum recovery time is 4 months, during which she will not be allowed to be alone at any time, nor will she be permitted to drive. She may not even be able to get online to be with us. The surgery is, after all, considered brain surgery. As you can easily imagine, she was somewhat despondent after it was explained to her fully.

Coco has been through a lot this past year with regards to her health. She has missed work and lost income. And she stands to do so again. While having bent, however, she has not broken. Quite simply, I am in awe of this woman. She remains a strong force. She remains the same gentle, caring, nurturing soul. Her online friends have been and remain a major source of emotional support for her, more so than she likes to let on. Coco never lets on what her internet community and acceptance within it has meant to her. Now, however, she is going to need her friends more than ever. I humbly ask all of you to regularly send emails, leave comments on her blog, leave offlines, get-well e-cards, etc., in show of your support. Feel free to copy this post and place it on your own blog, or make it an RSS feed if you wish. Just get the word out to all her friends. Let her know you care. I am not asking for, nor would she accept, sympathy. I simply ask a showing of love and support. Trust me, doing so will boost her spirits immeasurably. I will keep everyone informed as events unfold.

Thank you,

Mac

23 comments:

Julie said...

I will remember you Coco and keep all those your love in my prayers. This must be quite devastating.

((hugs))

Vinny "Bond" Marini said...

Coco / Mac / Brennan:

Consider the word being passed done... I will alert all of TOOSP, and will repost this on The Couch as a Sticky post for the next few days.. MAC...please give my special friend a hug for me and also one for Brenna... I also thank god you are in her life, as I know she will be taken well cared for...(she hates those dangling prepositions, don't let on I used one...

Desert Songbird said...

Here from The Couch. As a vocalist, I can empathize with how much emotional pain a loss like this could be. My prayers, good thoughts, and well wishes are with you during this challenging time.

Gail said...

You, B and Mac are in my thoughts and prayers...please, please...let me know if there is anything I can ever do for you...

Tug said...

I am here via Bond...my thoughts and prayers are with you all through this very trying time.

Cinnamon Girl said...

Please let Coco she is 100% in my prayers and she is a super strong woman.

Unknown said...

You´re all in our thoughts and prayers ♥

the Book of Keira said...

Came here from Bond's blog... so sorry to hear that this is happening and sending prayers and well wishes to Coco and her loved ones.

Travis Cody said...

Mother. Teacher. Musician. Sweet friend.

Be well dear one.

TopChamp said...

hi coco - best wishes x

Twyla said...

Oh Coco, you are in my thoughts and prayers. You can do this! *HUGS*

Meribah said...

Thank goodness she has you, Mac. Coco is a strong woman, but everybody needs somebody to lean on in their time of need.
Hang in there, Coco. We are here for you. Hugs.

Sandee said...

Dixie sent me over. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you. :)

Tiggerlane said...

Bond sent me - and as a fellow musician, I am sending you all the strength, hugs and support you can stand.

And have faith, miracles DO happen - do not lose hope!

cathy said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Sonny said...

Oh my godness. Came here after a longer blogging absence and wanted to tell you bout my new blog, coz we didn't have contact for a long while. And I really was shocked what I have to read.

Coco, you're really in my thoughts and prayers. I don't know what to say. If you need a friend, I'm here.

Big Hugs from your german friend
Sonny

Angell said...

Coco honey - you are in my thoughts and prayers - and of course my heart. I'm sending positive vibes your way.

cathy said...

Just popped over from Bond's.
Keep your chin up girl. God will be hearing from me about this.

maryt/theteach said...

What can I say? I will keep her in my thoughts and heart!

Lee Ann aka Dixie said...

You know that we are here for you sweet Coco. Praying for you, Brennan and Mac.

Prayer is very powerful...

MUCH PRAYER... MUCH POWER!

SMOOCHES~

Anndi said...

You have the love of your friends, your family and a great guy dear friend.

Je t'adore mon amie adorée!

Kisses and hugs.

Let me know when and where...

damm said...

prayers are the most powerful tools we posess, and you have mine.

damm duck

Joey said...

Well a day (months even) late but not a dollar short!!

Coco!! My heart, my prayers and my thoughts are with you!!

You're an amazing woman, I'm honoured to call you friend!!

Love you!!!

Jo (aka JoJo)

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