I finally have a surgery date, unfortunately it is not what I had hoped would happen.  I have exhausted all the necessary efforts to determine that Shands is unable to perform the embolization and stent procedure I need to fix my brain aneurysm.  The only other places are Mayo which requires payment in full up front and a place in Tennessee.  These are not options for me since it would require a great deal of expense and time waiting again.  So rather than having the less invasive embolization procedure with a stent and two week recovery I have to have my head opened up and have the aneurysm clipped by a very educated neurosurgeon at Shands.  This surgery will require that I stay in the ICU for a few days depending on my progress and up to a week in the hospital, followed by rehab.  I will have to be out of commission for up to 3 months.  I'm hoping I can get recovered and better before then but I wanted to let you all know.  The surgery is July 13 and the pre op appt is set for July 12.  I will be on family medical leave starting July 11.  I would like to thank all of you for your continue love and support and ask one BIG favor.  On July 13 would you say a special prayer for me.  The surgery will risk damage to my motor skills, death or rupture of the aneurysm but I feel I am in the best of hands.  This procedure is the Dr.'s specialty so I feel confident I will be okay and the the Lord will be watching over me and guiding his hands during this procedure.  

Regarding Dexter...he is doing well.  Kathleen is caring for him until I can get him home again.  I have an enclosure being built for him this week.  It will be 10' x 16' with a 6' x 10' room in the back of it to protect from the environment.  It will also have a roof and some kick panels and a wood floor up off the ground.  I will also have a fan built in and some lighting.  The guy is doing the work for free.  I just have to pay for materials.  Thank you all for your wonderful donations and purchases from ebay for his fund.  It will be a great help.  Tina at UH will be doing laser surgery more on his feet and microchipping him if I can afford to do it.  I have not received the bill yet but I'll know what I owe Dr. Burton soon and then can plan on how to raise more funds if needed at that time.  Tina and Dr. Burton and Kathleen have done a phenomenal job on him and he is so lucky to have had them to care for him.  I send them my sincerest thanks and appreciation.  I also thank Linda for putting together the ebay auction stuff and sending out the winning items.  She spent a great deal of time doing it and I appreciate it beyond words.  The ebay auction raised about $300 plus.  Dexter's friend Puddin still comes to eat and I know she will be happy once they are reunited again.  I can't wait either.