News from Neurosurgery
Today was a big day for Brock because we had our follow up with neurosurgery to discuss the results of Brock's MRI from last week. Our conversation went like this-
Dr- How is Brock?
Me- You tell me...
Dr- His hydrocephalus is worse
Me- I know...
Dr- You've seen the scans?
Me- I got them on a disc before leaving radiology and looked at them as soon as I got home. I've also read the radiologists report that was published to his myChart.
Dr- So you also know hydrocephalus only gets worse for one of two reasons at this point. One: because the brain is rotting, or two: because his brain is making more csf fluid than it can absorb.
Me- Uh, I didn't know that, but now I do. So, which one is it?
(More conversation)
Dr- Well, his skull is still growing at a normal rate and he is still on the same bell curve so I don't think it's rotting. At the same time, he is showing no signs of pressure and no consistent accumulation of fluid/growth of ventricles. So, this isn't a textbook case and it leaves me somewhat puzzled.
Me- So where do we go from here?
Dr- I will leave the final decision up to you, but he could certainly be the recipient of a shunt based off the measurements of the ventricles.
Me- What would you do it it were your son?
Dr- That's really hard to say because it's not black and white. We don't know if it will continue to get worse or if it will get better. I would put the shunt in because any pressure will only kill more brain cells.
Me- But it is a possibility for it to get better?
Dr- I've been at this long enough to never say never. With cases that aren't black and white, some people choose to wait and some go ahead and place the shunt. I can ask a colleague what they would do
If you'd like- I hear one in the hallway.
Me- Absolutely! (Opens door, calls out to him, he examines Brock and we all go to her office and view Brock's scans. He gives his advice and our dr smiles.)
Dr- So I guess I know what we're doing?
Me- As long as you feel like we are safe to wait.
Dr- See you in 2 months.
So, we will repeat the MRI scans and come back to visit with Dr. Price in July. Until then, we are FREE!!! (Unless Brock shows any symptoms of pressure- fussiness, vomiting, looking down, etc.) If you can't tell by the dialogue, it was an appointment that was an emotional roller coaster. I thought at the beginning we were getting possibly worse news than even a shunt. Brock still needs prayers- lots of them. I am so thankful for our doctors who are patient with us. While she does hundreds of surgeries a year to place shunts, there is nothing "routine" about brain surgery on your child. More than anything, we want Brock to be healthy and happy- and if he needs a shunt for that to happen, so be it. Leaving a little more time for hopefully a more clear answer of what Brock needs (or doesn't need). Thanks for the prayers- and for our wonderful church family who is still taking turns bringing meals on Thursdays. I came home to a fully cooked, delicious meal. We are so blessed.
Dr- How is Brock?
Me- You tell me...
Dr- His hydrocephalus is worse
Me- I know...
Dr- You've seen the scans?
Me- I got them on a disc before leaving radiology and looked at them as soon as I got home. I've also read the radiologists report that was published to his myChart.
Dr- So you also know hydrocephalus only gets worse for one of two reasons at this point. One: because the brain is rotting, or two: because his brain is making more csf fluid than it can absorb.
Me- Uh, I didn't know that, but now I do. So, which one is it?
(More conversation)
Dr- Well, his skull is still growing at a normal rate and he is still on the same bell curve so I don't think it's rotting. At the same time, he is showing no signs of pressure and no consistent accumulation of fluid/growth of ventricles. So, this isn't a textbook case and it leaves me somewhat puzzled.
Me- So where do we go from here?
Dr- I will leave the final decision up to you, but he could certainly be the recipient of a shunt based off the measurements of the ventricles.
Me- What would you do it it were your son?
Dr- That's really hard to say because it's not black and white. We don't know if it will continue to get worse or if it will get better. I would put the shunt in because any pressure will only kill more brain cells.
Me- But it is a possibility for it to get better?
Dr- I've been at this long enough to never say never. With cases that aren't black and white, some people choose to wait and some go ahead and place the shunt. I can ask a colleague what they would do
If you'd like- I hear one in the hallway.
Me- Absolutely! (Opens door, calls out to him, he examines Brock and we all go to her office and view Brock's scans. He gives his advice and our dr smiles.)
Dr- So I guess I know what we're doing?
Me- As long as you feel like we are safe to wait.
Dr- See you in 2 months.
So, we will repeat the MRI scans and come back to visit with Dr. Price in July. Until then, we are FREE!!! (Unless Brock shows any symptoms of pressure- fussiness, vomiting, looking down, etc.) If you can't tell by the dialogue, it was an appointment that was an emotional roller coaster. I thought at the beginning we were getting possibly worse news than even a shunt. Brock still needs prayers- lots of them. I am so thankful for our doctors who are patient with us. While she does hundreds of surgeries a year to place shunts, there is nothing "routine" about brain surgery on your child. More than anything, we want Brock to be healthy and happy- and if he needs a shunt for that to happen, so be it. Leaving a little more time for hopefully a more clear answer of what Brock needs (or doesn't need). Thanks for the prayers- and for our wonderful church family who is still taking turns bringing meals on Thursdays. I came home to a fully cooked, delicious meal. We are so blessed.
