Wayne has been so surprised to see all the support he has been given - all your thoughts, prayers, cards, and gifts, etc. He was really touched that many of you have been dressing in orange for the concerts and/or worn badges to remember him. Josie sent me this photo of the badges they have been wearing in the UK to the Brothers' concerts.
Many people have also asked for an update on Wayne's condition, so I can help with that request. The past 54 years in show business has given Wayne so many wonderful memories and opportunities that he would not have experienced in any other profession. Wayne loves change and learning new things, so show business has been really fulfilling. Of course there have been difficult, exhausting and challenging times too, but only through show business could we have learned from these experiences. We want you to know that we realize that it is only because of you and your support over the years that have made all this possible. Thank you so much!
Most of the medical problems that Wayne has are probably related to the maximum amount of radiation that he had after brain cancer surgery and he will continue to have more long term effects. On January 17th when he fell and hit his head really hard on the couch in the same place as where he had his brain cancer surgery and radiation, we weren't that alarmed. Michelle and I tried to talk him into letting us take him down to the emergency room at the hospital because his head and neck hurt, but he insisted that he was O.K. and wanted to wait to see how he felt the next day.
The following day he had an appointment already set up with his ear, nose and throat doctor to have his ears cleaned. Since the radiation, there has been a build up on his ear drums that the doctor has had to pull off regularly to improve his hearing. Wayne was nauseated and insisted that the doctor not get too close because he said that he had the flu. He complained about pressure and pain in his head and was carrying a bowl in case he couldn't keep his food down. I told the doctor that I wasn't sure that he had the flu and the doctor must have agreed because he ordered a scan to see if Wayne's sinus' were infected or if something would show up to help explain the symptoms he was experiencing.
Wayne's symptoms were exactly the same as he had right before he had his brain cancer removed, so we were a little nervous about a reoccurring tumor, which isn't that unusual to grow 10 to 15 years after having radiation to the head. The doctor scheduled an MRI for the following day. I was really surprised when the doctor called later that evening to say that there was evidence of a possible stroke and to take him immediately to the emergency room. That thought hadn't even occurred to me.
The neurologist on call at the hospital that night suggested that his mini stroke was related to the fall that he had and that he probably ripped the lining of his left back posterior artery. There is no way to know which came first - the fall or the stroke. There also isn't any way to test whether the lining of the artery, which was totally blocked, was torn or severely damaged. It's also too dangerous to operate but the body has a way of healing itself so that is why Wayne is taking it easy for at least another month. The mini stroke turned into a major stroke a couple of days later after Wayne sat up in bed at the hospital. At this time his problems were magnified, but he has been improving since that day.
Many of you may have noticed since 2005 that it was necessary for someone to travel with Wayne all the time because of his gradual hearing loss, cognitive deficiencies, and equilibrium problems. His hearing is now severe in both ears, he has short-term memory loss, difficulty learning new material, and falls backwards when moving around, etc. His brothers made it possible for him to continue working by gesturing when his singing went off pitch or covering his singing, using songs and material that were in his long term memory and helping him if he got off balance, etc. The past 3 years Wayne had had to catch himself when he got off balance by putting his left foot behind him. It has been very stressful for him to continue performing when he has also been dealing with so many health problems that have only been getting progressively worse.
Many have noticed and asked why Wayne's photo has been taken off of the scheduled dates on the Osmond Brothers website for the rest of the year. Wayne is unable to continue working and performing. He's using a cane to catch himself to make sure that he doesn't have another debilitating fall. The end of April, the doctor wants to do another MRI to see how his healing is coming and re-evaluate his situation. I've been taking care of all the business and personal responsibilities and driving Wayne to all his various medical appointments. Wayne wants to visit Sears and other stores that carry tools almost every day too. Ha! For another month, Wayne's making sure that he heals and doesn't have another fall by mostly laying on the couch in the family room and playing with his Ipad or doing crossword puzzles. He's loving the Ipad now that he has had plenty of time to get acquainted with it. Wayne's very upbeat and loves all his time to relax. He's enjoying life.
