Surgery update

Well we knew this week was going to be rough but it took a turn we didn't necessarily expect so soon. Which is probably for the best as it was over before we had time to even think about it!

During our trip to see the cvs specialist in Milwaukee yesterday Cameron slipped into another episode, less than a week since the last one. The meeting with dr. Li was very informative (more on that another day). We got back home and by 6pm Cameron seemed to be out of the episode. Only to slip back in a later that night. I slept next to him and it was clear we were back in the woods, little sleep was had.

Morning came and I headed off alone for the consult with dr bowman, neurosurgery, as Cameron was puking at home so dad stayed behind.

About 20min into the conversation it was decided he needed surgery today. Dr bowman noted his ventricles were almost non existent on film and the right side appeared collapsed. Given the frequency of vomiting episodes has been getting worse she came right out and said she was not comfortable with his situation. While he can live with CVS, he can not live with a shunt that is constantly malfunctioning and waiting for an emergency is not a good idea.

So as I kissed my boy godbye in the OR I knew he was In very capable hands. Mom you would be happy I even had the Lourdes water with me and blessed him before leaving.

Cameron went in for surgery at 1:30pm and we saw him in recovery just after 3:30pm. If someone had told us this was going to be part of our thursday agenda, well that's crazy talk.

His eyes were open and the smell of surgery took me in. It's been two years and there is something about that smell you just never forget it. There were some tears from Cameron, a pink pull up later exchanged for a trip to the bathroom and resistance to keep his head at a 30 degree angle.

The dr report was "it was clear as mud". Part of the shunt was not working at optimum levels, part was, they replaced the catheter and pushed part of the device further into the ventricle. And despite the imaging showing some unfavorable anatomy dr bowman said he has much better anatomy than films would suggest. This is a good thing so we don't have to worry about placing the shunt in a different part of the brain at a later date. There was also surprise in the amount of calcification around the shunt. Apparently what she found is typical of a teenager shunt. So it was a good thing we did this even if it does not resolve the episodes.

So now we wait to see how he responds and if the episodes reduce, or with any luck never return. We hope we have not opened "pandoras box" by going into his brain but it was clearly a good call that we did it.

Cameron is doing great for just having his head sliced open.

He has ordered and consumed most of his "cheesburgerfriespeanutbutterandjelly" favorite meal, can't ask for more at this point.

With any luck we will be home tomorrow night!