Monday April 28, 2008
Cayman's in surgery right now. Grandma Sue and I arrived at the U of M E.R. last night around 4 a.m. Cayman did not ride well. She has been so fussy. It was the longest 2 hour trip with her! She had x-rays done to look at the placement of her shunt as well as a CT scan. The on-call Neurosurgeon dialed her shunt setting down to the lowest (0.5) to see if the fluid would start draining. This Neurosurgeon seemed to think it wasn't a shunt failure. So we were starting to feel better, but after she was admitted into the hospital and Cayman's Neurosurgeon arrived around 7 a.m. he felt it was likely a shunt failure and would need to take her to surgery. First he wanted to wait a couple hours to make sure there was no change. So around 9 a.m. he came back up and evaluated the situation. There was no change in her head pressure. So Cayman is having a shunt revision. Typically this is a simple procedure and the patient gets to go home the next day. However, the doctor wants to keep Cayman for a few days because of her history of over draining. We asked lots of questions about, once a working shunt is back in her will her head go back to decompressing and the bones overriding. Very likely this is what could happen again. And then we'd be looking at another surgery to put in the second valve to regulate the flow. So right now we are trying to focus on getting her a shunt that works and then go from there. Mike and I aren't sure where we're going to stay tonight yet. We are so very tired and worried about our little girl. Mike worked last night and came straight up to Ann Arbor when he got off, and I didn't get any sleep last night nor did Grandma Sue. I'm so glad we brought Cayman to the hospital though. Her head is now measuring 47 cm...only 1 cm smaller than it was at birth, and she weighed in at 8 lb 13 oz. Last week she weighed just 8 lbs. All the extra fluid in her head is contributing to these bigger numbers. We're so ready to get our baby girl back to feeling well and take her home again!!
The symptoms that concerned us about Cayman were:
- extra sleepiness
- irritable
- sunsetting eyes (roll downward)
- soft spot bulging
- increased head circumference
- vomitting
- swelling around the valve of the shunt
5 Showin' Comment Love:
oh kris, i have constantly been checkin' the blog for updates and continuously praying!! You guys are all in our prayers and will be throughout today as Cayman goes through another surgery and you guys get the best rest as possible. Keep us updated and you take care of yourself too!! We love you guys!!
nicholas and valerie
Hey! I found your blog about two weeks ago and I've been coming back daily. You are all in my prayers each day. You are an amazing mom to your precious little one. Get some rest if possible and keep marching on. I will be praying continuously throughout the day.
Thank you for the update. Cayman has been in my prayers all day long, so have you and your family. May you find strength and rest in the Lord during this difficult time.
In Him,
Nancy
My whole family is praying for Cayman and you and your husband. It sounds like the doctors are taking every precaution and she's getting great care. We're praying for her safety and comfort, and for peace and rest for you. Y'all are in the best, most capable, most loving Hands...
Much love!
Kristen-
I hadn't checked your blog for a few days so you can imagine the shock I had when 'shunt revision' popped up on the screen. I am so sorry to hear that Cayman is back at the hospital and back in surgery. Take care of yourself and try to get some rest. My thoughts and prayers are with your entire family. I will check back frequently for updates.
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