10.25.2005 - Full-Blown Seizure

It wasn't just an aura this time. While on patrol on 10.25.2005, I went to a local hospital to pick up a paramedic who needed transport back to his rig at Station Two. I lost consciousness while driving him back. He called for assistance because I was having a full convulsive seizure in the vehicle. Thankfully we were stopped at a red light and he put the vehicle into park. I was transported to Stanford, treated, and released.

09.15.2005 - Another Aura

On 09.15.2005, I had a brief aura at work. It was a daydream accompanied by some sweating.

07.16.2005 - Auras

On 07.16.2005, I had two brief auras. I attributed it to stress from work. My relationship with my supervisor is a very negative one. Almost every work day is a hostile environment while working for Lieutenant Kim Bianconi.

On 07.17.2005, I had another aura.

05.13.2005 - Follow-Up

I had more MRI scans done in May and the physicians advised me on 05.13.2005 that my brain looked better than right after surgery. There is always a lot of swelling after surgery, so that went down. They want to keep an eye on what could be residual tumor tissue, but could even just be scar tissue from the surgery.

04.04.2005 - Driving Again

As I had hoped for, I was able to resume driving again beginning 04.04.2005. It is so freeing to be able to drive again.

03.01.2005 - Getting Back To Work

On 03.01.2005, I had a follow-up appointment with my neurosurgeon and he encouraged me to get back to work. A few days later I did just that and returned to modified duty at work. I had great friends who were willing to drive me to and from work so that I was able to work again.

02.01.2005 - Follow-Up & Healing

On 02.01.2005, my friend Bradley drove me to my first follow-up appointment with the neurosurgeon and had the staples removed. I had no restrictions on my activities other than not to participate in contact sports for at least one year. No problem for me as I did not play any such sports.

Most of the follow-up decisions now would be up to the neurooncologist who would be monitoring my situation.

The next day, I went out in public for the first time. I felt a bit tired as we were checking out at Costco. It was perhaps a bit more exertion than I had been prepared for, but everything was alright. Every day is a dramatic improvement for me right now.

After another day, I was able to make dinner for our family and then had the most regular sleep schedule so far since leaving the hospital. A couple days after that I was able to do some household chores with out much difficulty.

A couple days later, I was able to take my daughter to the park and it was the first day that I could definitely say that I felt pretty good and almost normal.

The following day, I met with the neurooncologist and he confirmed that my tumor was in fact a grade two oligodendroglioma. Oligodendrogliomas only come between grade two and four. We would now have MRI scans at three month intervals to check on any new growth and/or activity with the tumor tissue. Should any occur, I may need chemotherapy or focused radiation. I could even need further surgery at some time, but certainly not now. He wanted me to hold off on driving again until at least April.

Several days later, I started working out again. I did light work on a stationary bicycle and didn't feel too tired afterwards. I tried attending church services the following day and that was a bit more than I was ready for because it was the longest I had been out of the house since the surgical procedure.