Callista

Callista

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

When Life Gives You Lemons...

Squeeze them into the face of the one who have them to you! Oh wait, that's not how that saying goes... Oops.

Well, we've just been handed a whole basket of the suckers as of yesterday. Her MRI was supposed to just be routine. They tried a tube too big for her first and couldn't fit so they had to go to a smaller size. They informed ENT and of course whenever they get involved, things go crazy and get blown out of proportion. They did a bronchoscopy which showed nothing. So instead of being outpatient we ended up staying the night in the PICU. They said she had a hard time breathing after those things getting shoved down her throat (uh, are we surprised?). She was back to her normal self in no time as soon as everyone stopped messing with her.

Then we got news from the MRI. My poor baby is going to need another surgery. Her MRI showed that a syrinx has developed all along her spine. This is fluid where fluid shouldn't be. There are three main things that would cause this. One: her shunt isn't functioning at full capacity and instead of her head swelling, the fluid is being pushed into her spine. Two: the fluid is still blocked somewhere at the base of her skull. Three: she has a tethered cord. Thankfully, the first one is the most likely indicator which as the easiest fix. It's preliminary but our neurosurgeon came in this morning to say that a shunt revision is most likely the plan. If that doesn't work Callie will have to undergo another decompression surgery or a release of tethered cord, although he is doubtful it's tethered cord.

We are really hoping the shunt revision helps, because another brain surgery is huge... A blow like this is hard to take since we thought things were going so well. She is making progress (however small) in pt/OT and for once life was going okay. We get lemons practically thrown at us every time we turn around. Sometimes the events in life that aren't so great outweigh the ones that shine. My husband and I are trying so hard to not let this happen. It just gives you a lot to think about. I feel like noting the disclaimer again that these types of problems don't happen with every SB kiddo, we just seem to keep getting the worst of the outcomes.

Once things are a little more certain I will update everyone. As always, we appreciate all of you following our journey, those who share our blog, the loving comments we get on our facebook group, etc. Each view, ad click, and use of the search bar also contributes a small amount to Callie's account and we are so ever thankful for that as well. <3 We can't get through this without you and your good thoughts. We LOVE you!!

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