The Latest, Straight From Jennifer:
Over the last two weeks we have watched as almost all of the progress
that Scott has made in the last two months has faded away. Seeing this
happen, and waiting for the medical professionals to rule out
possibilities as to why this is happening, has almost been unbearable.
Today we finally have a better understanding of what is going on. Scott
has hydrocephalus which basically means that the fluid in his brain is
not being drained fast enough and is building up pressure. Apparently
the shunt is either not working fast enough or not working at all right
now. This should be a very straight forward procedure to correct and can
be done in conjunction with the cranioplasty surgery which will take
place tomorrow (Wednesday) morning.
Two burning questions I had regarding the diagnosis were answered during
a conference call earlier today with nurse Karen Getchell and Dr.
Leslie Weiner (prominent neurosurgeon and father to Matthew Weiner):
1.
Could this pressure cause permanent damage? This is unlikely. Once the
fluid is drained the ventricles will shrink back to the size they were.
2. Is this our new starting point for rehab? Also unlikely. Correcting
the fluid issue and replacing the bone flap should at least get us back
to where we were two weeks ago maybe farther along.
It was a tremendous relief to hear this from Dr. Weiner. Scott's surgeon
is extremely capable however, the manner in which she answers my many
questions often leaves me either confused or devastated depending on the
day so it is good to have alternate opinions.
This will be the second attempt at the cranioplasty (replacing the skull
piece that was removed three month ago to relieve the pressure from the
initial trama.) This time it will be with a synthetic plate that was
created with imaging. Many say that having this plate in place
pushes rehab forward more quickly. We are hopeful that this will be the
case but trying not to get our hopes up too much. Slow and steady . .
.or something like that will be fine.
So Kay and I will be in Redwood City on pins and needles in the morning
anxiously awaiting the results of the surgery. Prayers, positive energy,
candles, oh mighty Isis.
Jennifer, your strength is nothing short of amazing to us. Your love and humor shine through in everything you do and say, and are, no doubt the reason Scott is going to pull through all this. Thank you so much for this important update. Dave and I are sending everything we got to Scott today.xoxo
ReplyDeleteFeel the love coming at you from ILM, Jen, Penny, Kay, Floyd and Scott!
ReplyDeleteJennifer...sending you lots of love, hope & strength that Scott's surgery today is a success. And thank you for having the wherewithal to write such an informative update for everyone. I hope all the prayers & positive energy will sustain you, Scott, Kay & Floyd through this journey. Big hug! I'm thinkin' about you.
ReplyDeleteYou are all in my thoughts constantly but today especially. All of us in Boston are sending lots of love your way.
ReplyDeleteAs I sit here with Jennifer in the surgical waiting room, I feel at total peace as my precious son is in surgery, knowing that my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, the Great Physician, is in total charge. He tells us in his word that "Where two or more are gathered in ny name, there I will be also .". I know there are many prayers going up for our Scott. All of my trust is in Christ alone. I love You Lord, and I love you, Scott. Mom
ReplyDeleteTwo strong women by my brother's side!! I know there's a peace that surpasses all understanding with you all today. Love you,
ReplyDeleteAshley D
praying for the best of outcomes....and progress to continue....go, scott!
ReplyDeleteJENNIFER! first of all much love ! and second i am all to familiar with hydrocephalus !!! i have a permanent shunt in my left side temporal to drain the fluid for life ;0). its been in place seen sept 1998 ! have had NO problems with the drain ! excellent doctors and continual check ups. i had two sections of bone removed, one side was repaired with fat and plates and is ok. the other side the bone has never been replaced, behind ear , honeycomb like bone , without it there i have soft skull and sensitivity BUT its needed for the shunt to do its job , drain the fluid, keep it flowing. i have had 3 spinal drains in order to keep the brain fluid flowing. no regrets no side effects. just a little more careful in life and a lot more GRATEFUL. jenn this sounds so typical BUT i have been there and its 13 years later and the skull parts are not the same BUT i am , my heart is, my mind is . and soon scott will be too. i have met and made a new family and wonderful ppl bc of my brain tumor /surgeries/ skull trauma . and i am really a better person for all i went through. i was never alone either like Scott's mom , i believe in Jesus Christ, the healer , the GREAT PHYSICIAN! and i pray for you and scott everyday! PRAYERS GO UP! hang in love its all gonna be alright . PROMISE!
ReplyDeleteand indeed many many prayers have been going up all day for you all in CA from all over ... especially back home in NC!!! anxious to hear post-surgery reports ... peace be with you all ... many hugs your way!
ReplyDeletein case i lost the message in all the words above the PLATES work ! i have a series of plates in place in skull they give no problems :) work excellent and not painful etc
ReplyDeleteprayers continue ♥
I heard from Jen this morning that surgery went well but it was a long day. I hope passing this along is the right thing to do.
ReplyDeleteScott, Jen, Floyd, Kay, Ashley... We are thinking of you guys EVERY day! Our hearts are with you all the time. Love from NC!!
ReplyDeleteWe are with you
ReplyDeleteThe Elinoffs