Allen-Mikel Armstrong & Family Support
From Morgan: On June 11th we brought Allen-Mikel into Banner Desert for prolonged insomnia/anxiety/distorted reality. They did some imaging to rule out medical cause and later that evening we discovered on the CT scan that he has a central intraventricular tumor, right in the middle of his brain. It is about the size of a golf ball, and is protruding on the left lateral ventricle. Of course when we learned this was neurological in nature we were absolutely shocked.
An MRI was done later that night in the ER. As soon as we received the neuro diagnosis I knew he could not stay at Desert and I requested a transfer to Barrow Neurological at St Joe’s in Phx. A consulting neurosurgeon at Desert had already accepted his case (he also happened to be the ONLY neurosurgeon to perform this type of specialty surgery at BD). And unfortunately the transfer into Banner’s ICU was quick and over before much could be done about getting to Barrow.
Next came countless conversations, phone calls, tears, and fighting on my end during a weekend when NOTHING can be done apparently- all while watching my husband decline from an energetic, charismatic, and gentle man into an agitated, suspicious, and even combative man that didn’t recognize me at times. It was difficult thing to watch. Luckily his mom Amy is gifted at reorienting him, especially when he gets stuck in a loop of thinking and can’t find his way out. We have been granted an exception to have her stay with him at night so that I can rest and he can be with someone safe and familiar.
Thankfully Sunday night things began to turn around. Allen-Mikel’s Pararescue Unit stepped in and ensured the transfer to Barrow would happen. In fact it was arranged this morning and he was shipped out at 2pm. We are in the right place for this tumor and I can finally breathe. I owe it all to the 212th and our extended Pararescue family
He was accepted at Barrow by none other than the chief of Neurosurgery (!!!) and **UPDATE** underwent a bifrontal craniotomy 15 JUNE. If all goes well he will remain inpatient for a few days then possible home/rehab depending on how it goes. The tumor will be biopsied and we should have all results on that in a week or so. We are gearing up for a long haul recovery but still hoping and praying for zero complications and optimal results.
We are asking for your support and prayers over the next couple weeks. If you have any questions or want to pass along some encouragement, please pass them to my mom or my mother in law as I will be putting my energy and focus on Allen-Mikel and his well being. Thank you so much in advance for all the love, it means the world to me and my family right now.
We will give updates as we can ❤️
PS the girls are covered and being loved on by my parents (and many others!) while we go through this. Our families are working together to cover all bases as well as so, so many others that have offered to help. Thank you again to everyone for the texts, stories, pictures, coffee/treats, etc. everything helps no matter how seemingly small!