[MNDancers] Matt continues to make good progress/Fever & headaches are current setbacks

[Cowboybillmn@aol.com]

Hello to  All:                                                                
        1/03/06   

RE:  Brain Surgery for benign "Hemangioblastoma"  performed by Chief 
Neurologist Surgeon Dr. Mark Larkins @ Regions Hospital  on Nov. 17th/Temperature and 
Headaches
 
 
I want to thank everyone for their prayers and over 180  e-mails of support 
for son, Matthew Schaefer.
 
Last Thursday, Matt had his check-up with the Chief Neurologist, Dr. Mark  
Larkins.  The results were very favorable and a photo is attached  below.  The 
good news from John Hopkins University Hospital is that he is  void 
(preliminary report) of the Von Hippel-Lindau Syndrome.  As you  recall, that Syndrome 
produces tumors consisting of tangled up blood  vessels.  An additional test, 
called a Southern Blot test is  being performed by them to totally clear Matt of 
the VHL  Syndrome.   
 
His vitals were BP of 110/64 and pulse of 102.  His temp  was 97.4F.  
 
The bad news is that he complained of issues regarding fever (  101F) and 
headache.  This was of concern to Dr. Larkins and a Spinal Tap  was immediately 
ordered the next day, being Friday.  He entered  Regions Hospital for this 3 
hour ordeal and was cleared of any infection in  the spinal fluid.  This is an 
easy procedure as 4 vials of spinal  fluid (from the area of Lumbar #5) were 
withdrawn while laying on his  stomach.  A local anesthetic (Novocain) was 
administered.  When  it wore off, he experienced the very tough part of the 
procedure as he was  in much back pain.  His headaches and fever are issues that 
currently  remain unresolved.  Dr. Larkins indicated it could take some time to  
resolve that issue.     
 
Other good news is that he is very alert and can return to work (MN Dept.  of 
Revenue) in a few weeks starting on a light workday schedule.   He is eagerly 
looking forward to the day when he can return to work full  time.  He can 
rotate is head from side to side, about 45 degrees in each  direction.  His up 
and down head motion is also improving.
 
He is off of all medications, less Tylenol.  His vomiting appears to  have 
went away as he is taking no more steroids.
 
Matt, good news continues to comes day by day as you recover.  I  know that 
you are eager to "get your life back to normal"  You have endured  much.  Many 
prayers have been said and will continue to be said to promote  your well 
being.  I also pray for your headaches and fevers to  subside soon. 
 
On a side note, I finished playing "The Farmer In The Dell" as of 3 weeks  
ago.  My good friends Jim and Alie Thompson returned to find all of the  farm 
animals well and accounted for.  I must admit that I had a lot of fun  helping 
them out and driving the John Deere 75 hp tractor while clearing the  snow from 
their 1/4 mile gravel driveway.  Imagine having a powerful  snow-blower that 
is 6 feet wide.  It is an awesome machine.
 
Matt, Tiffany and I want to wish everyone a Happy New Year.
 
Sincerely, 
Cowboy Bill...aka...Ron Schaefer
  

Tiffany (girlfriend), Matt and Chief Neurologist, Dr. Mark  Larkins



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