JUNE 11, 2015
First of all, Praise be to God, the Father of Our Lord Jesus Christ, to His Son the Savior of the
world and to the Holy Spirit whose desire is for us to know joy and to know it complete!
I am filled with gratitude for all that has been, is, and for whatever is to come. God is good,
loving and present to me in so many ways I have not experienced before. I am overwhelmed by
the prayers, support, care and love I have received from the medical staff, my family and so
many of you. I am truly grateful! Praise be to God!
It has been quite a journey the last few weeks. It started in early May when I noticed a couple of
things were going on with my memory and my reaction (or lack of reaction) to some things. The
most startling example was when I was sitting in my car a week or two before being diagnosed
with a brain tumor, unsure of exactly how to turn it off. I sat there for 45 seconds trying to figure
it out. I told a friend about the experience, but did not do anything about it because I was leaving
for a wedding in Hilton Head the next week.
While in Hilton Head, my friend and college roommate, asked his wife, a doctor, to examine me.
She told me to see my doctor as soon as I got home. (I have come to learn that she was even
more concerned than I was.) Soon, other symptoms started to became more apparent— like not
being able to read. In fact, I even struggled with reading the words at Mass and found it difficult
to formulate thoughts and ideas.
I flew home from Hilton Head on Sunday night May 17th, with a great deal of anxiety. I was so
worried about making my connecting flight because I realized that my ability to read was quite
impaired. I returned home and called my doctor the next day who he told me to go straight to the
emergency room. I was in the ER at Loyola Medical Center for most of the day on Monday, May
18th. Around 5:00pm that day, the doctors told me that they had found a mass on my brain and
that I was being admitted to the hospital.
My reaction to the news was relief—actually it was more than relief— I was euphoric! I was so
relieved to know that there was actually something wrong and that I wasn’t losing my mind! My
sisters thought I was nuts! "How can you be so happy that you have a brain tumor,” they asked. I
wasn't happy I had a brain tumor, but I was relieved to know that there was a reason things were
not right with me.
I was put into the Intensive Care Unit that night and was there until my surgery on the morning
of Thursday, May 21st. The three days leading up to the surgery were filled with tests, tests, (and
more tests), blood work, scans (and more scans!). During this time, I was feeling happy, content
and open to whatever came next, (though I’m sure drugs had a part in these feelings!). Mostly, I
felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude. I was being well cared for, prayed for and carried
through it all just like the man in the Gospel whose friends lowered him through the roof to get
him in front of Jesus. I want to thank God and all of you for that!
The surgery went very well though I was told. I am still having some memory issues so I can't
relay everything to you, but let me make an attempt: Surgery lasted about 6 hours; they opened
my skull and took out a tumor the size of a golf ball (I asked if it was Titleist or Callaway, but
they must not be golfers, because they didn’t laugh); they took the tumor out, closed me up, and
ta-da! I was on my way to recovery.
The next morning, I took a long walk down the hallway and even went up and down a flight of
stairs. After seeing that, they didn’t see any reason for physical therapy. My spirits were high and
my sense of gratitude still overwhelming!
I came home on Saturday, May 23rd and everything felt new. Each day home I felt better and
better and I even went out for lunch a few times. I was feeling stronger every day. My morning
prayers were wonderful and I was flooded with Gods' comforting presence!
The following Wednesday I went to see the surgeon for a check-up. The pathology report was
positive for Melanoma. Recovery from the surgery seemed to be going well—we even talked
about exercise, driving, and work. Twenty minutes later, they came in the room and told me they
were admitting me to the hospital again. The doctors did not like the look of my incision. This
was very disappointing news as I was expecting to take my sisters out for lunch after the
appointment. Instead, I was being admitted to the hospital and prepped for surgery again. The
doctors explained that they had to clean out the wound with antibiotics to stop infection.
My second brain surgery also went well and only lasted about an hour. I am now on a six week
series of intravenous antibiotics. It is painless, like most of the treatments and surgeries I have
been through thus far. It is pretty amazing to me that I have had two brain surgeries with very
little pain to speak of! I have also had a conversation with my oncologist about what lies ahead.
Future treatments may include radiation therapy but this will be determined when I finish the
antibiotic therapy.
I can't thank you all enough for your prayers and incredible support. I am truly humbled by it all.
One of the most frustrating aspects of this experience over the last few weeks has been my
inability to read and write. It seems to be coming back slowly but surely, so I will certainly do
my best to keep you informed of my progress. I am in great need of patience as I have found it so
difficult to stop and put everything on hold for now. Please pray that God will grant me that gift!
My prayer life is very strong and please know that you are all a part of it!
Peace and love!
Fr. Bob Heinz