Update on X-Marker, Nor Cal Rabble'r, Michael Steinrok

[Alan H]

I visited with Big Mike, Nancy, Mike's brother and his daughter, Amber tonight for about an hour. Here's what's happened....I have Nancy's permission to post this.

Mike has been having headaches for about 6 weeks. They got bad enough that they didn't go to the Ben Lomond Games. Last Tuesday, Mike was admitted to the Kaiser hospital in Santa Clara, on Wednesday they transferred him up to Redwood City. Mike has had an epidural hematoma, which basically means he's had major leakage of the cerebrospinal fluid from a lesion of the dura in his spine. That has probably caused the tissues which secrete the fluid to go on overdrive and so his cerebrospinal fluid pressure is up and down, usually way up. Mike had (I think) two injections of blood into the dura to basically clot up and block the leak. He's also had two craniotomies (surgical procedure where a portion of the cranium is removed so that the surgeon can get to dural tissue, or actual brain tissue). Mike responded well after one of these, but has not done well over the last couple of days. There are some complicating factors, including a blood factor problem which is making things more difficult. However, brain activity on the EEG is mostly normal, though today showed a bit of slowing down, which is to be expected.

Tonight, Mike is having basically a third of his cranium removed so that the surgeons can clean out massive blood clots that have accumulated beneath the cranium and are putting pressure on his brain. I believe it's the right side. They might or might not put the bone back immediately, it depends on how the procedure goes. Mike went in for surgery about 8:00 - 8:30 tonight, Pacific Coast time. The procedure should take 2-3 hours. With luck, the surgeons hope Mike will walk back into that Hospital, with some lingering motor coordination issues, but under his own power to thank the surgical team in a few weeks.

Mike Steinrok is a good man, looks good in his kilt, is proud of his Irish heritage and his lady Nancy is a complete and total sweetheart. If you believe in a higher power, now would be a good time to drop a line upstairs, for our mate, Michael Steinrok.

Alan

PS: I"ll update the board in the morning with the results or the surgery.

mods, could you correct the spelling on the post title? Mikes last name is Steinrok...no "c". Thanks.

[beloitpiper]

Wow, here's hoping for the best. If he's tough enough for the kilt, he'll be able to get though this.

[Marshal Moroni]

Please let Big Mikey and family know that they are in our thoughts and prayers.

Marshal Moroni

[Highlander31]

We will keep Mike and his family in our thoughts and prayers.

[Moosedog]

Alan, thanks for going and we sure appreciate the update. My prayers are with Mike and his family.

Moosedog

[LANCER1562]

The Kerr family will keep the Steinroks in our thoughts. Our well wishes for a fast recovery.

[BoldHighlander]

Keeping Mike & his family in my thoughts & prayers.

[GMan]

certainly trust that things go well. I am sure of it.

[cessna152towser]

I am praying for a good outcome.

[Rollo]

In my thoughts and prayers for Mike and his family.