Surgery, Again

So, we're back in the hospital.

We came in for a post-op follow up from April's shunt revision and after reading the MRI's, decided her shunt isn't working.

Our neurosurgeon is now considering her for a procedure called a third ventriculostomy. It would basically create a path for the cerebral-spinal fluid to flow on its own, eliminating the need for a shunt - since her body apparently doesn't like them anyway.

An MRI tomorrow morning will tell us more. They'll take her straight from MRI to surgery and depending on what they see in the MRI either do the third ventriculostomy or just a shunt revision.

They also discovered that part of her one ventricle had closed itself off from the other part of the ventricle. So they're going to fix that while they're in there.

For now, they're putting off the full craniotomy they had talked about as a possibility to repair a dura leak. The hope is with less pressure, the dura will heal itself. So that's the good news. 

The super crappy part of this is that Mike's brother is getting married on Saturday and we were really looking forward to celebrating with them and hanging out with some good family and friends in the upcoming weeks. We're taking it one step at a time but really striving to still be in attendance at the wedding. 

Please say some big ol' prayers that the third ventriculostomy is an option and works so we don't have to deal with this shunt business anymore and that Abriana stays the super healer she's always been and we're outta here as soon as possible! 

Follow-Up

So we had every appointment under the sun today! It was nice to get it all done in one day and have Mike there to help, but it's been a long day.

First up, we met with the plastic surgeon. He said everything looks great and took off the steri-strips. We asked about the bump on top of her head, along her incision and he said it's bone that he grafted there that will eventually level out and blend in. They took some pictures, said see you in 6 months, and we were off to our next appointment across town.  

Last picture with the steri-strips. 

Next up was hematology. They did the usual height, weight, and paperwork. Upon review by the Hematologist, clinically she looks fine. The blood clot isn't affecting the coloring or temperature of her leg and foot. So the doctor wanted an ultrasound to review the clot's status. They managed to set one up with radiology over in St. Pete. Making it appointment number five of the day.

Hands are delicious even in the hematology office.

We then went next door to get an MRI. Abriana screamed for ten seconds and I thought that going in with her was going to be a terrible decision but then she fell asleep. I was seriously comforted when she was zonked.

After thinking we lost our blanket and finding it in the car, we were off to All Children's Hospital for our other appointments. A little snooze in the car for Abriana, and we were up to see Neurosurgery. They looked at her and said you look great! Get on outta here! :) We'll see ya in three months! They did show us her CT scan which we later wished we would have taken a picture of to explain to everyone else, but it was a great display to help is understand what her bone structure now looks like.

Nap time.

Next it was down to radiology for that ultrasound where they reviewed the thrombosis in her right femoral artery. And we learned they added an x-ray of her skull to the list. She was very good for the ultrasound but of course screamed for the x-ray. We won't know what hematology has to say about the thrombosis until at least tomorrow. We'll either see them in a week or six months.

Still a happy girl at ultrasound. 

Entranced by the cartoons.

Mike looking VERY pretty in his sparkly purple led x-ray vest.

We then drove around the corner to see my buddy Dwayne at USF St. Pete. He showed us around the new student union and got to snuggle with Abriana. (I swear I took a picture but it's no where on my phone - boo.)

All in all a long, but good, day.

I Got Old

On Saturday we went to Disney to enjoy some family time and celebrate another year of me being here on Earth. It was my 30th birthday.

We did some great stuff! We met Mickey. 

We rode the carousel. 

We broke the Winnie the Pooh ride. 

We got extra fast passes. 

We rode the Ariel ride. 

I ate Dole whip. 

The big kids rode Big Thunder Railroad. And we all made it to watch the fireworks.

My child had a meltdown in the middle of the day because of lack of nap time but overall she did well. Overall, with nine adults and four kids, we did really well! Nobody (other than the infant of the group) had a meltdown, or was mad at anyone else, or whined too much. I consider it a success!

I really loved getting to spend the day with family and one of my best friends. I enjoyed taking my little girl around Disney, even if she won't remember it. I loved getting to spend time with the people I love.

Despite some spit up and a lack of naps, it was a great way to kick off 30!