Thursday 2/19/09
The Surgery Twins
On Tuesday we went to see Dr. Costas Hadjipanayis, Chris’s
neurologist at Emory to see about the lacerated hematoma. Unfortunately after a
careful 2nd review of Chris’s last brain MRI it has been
determined that the spot in question was not a lacerated hematoma by a tumor
resting on top of Chris’s brain. It is located towards the upper part of
his head near the crown. After looking at several different options, as a
family we decided that the best course of action was surgery.
Chris is scheduled for what is considered minor brain
surgery on Thursday, February 26, 2009 at 11:30am. The surgery should really be
called “head surgery” instead of “brain surgery”,
because Dr. H stated that we are not going to going into the brain matter,
however since they have to remove his skull cap to get to the tumor near his
crown it is considered brain surgery.
THE GOAL:
The plan is to begin an incision on the left side of Chris
head and carry this to the right side, so that they are able to access the
tumors. First they will remove a boney tumor that Chris has protruding from his
skull on his left temple and place a titanium plate over the temporal region to
protect it, then the docs are going to take of his skull cap off (a boney shield
that protects soft brain tissue), in order to access the second tumor that will
need to be skimmed off the top of his brain. They will then replace the skull
cap and insert staples across head to ensure an even closure.
Dr. H believes that this tumor is what could possibly be
causing the headaches and pressure Chris is experiencing, as well as we are
hoping this is why Chris’s appetite has been a little lower than it
should be.
The doctor reassured us that as evasive as this sounds
because we are not delving into brain matter, the recovery is quite quick. The
surgery should take about 3-4 hours, with an overnight stay in ICU for
observation and then possibly discharge on Friday late evening, if not Saturday
morning. Chris will have staples for two weeks and then we will go back to the
Dr to have them removed and complete the post surgical visit.
It is amazing how far surgical technology has come. The
same day, we received a call from Village Pharmacy and our fertility drugs on
their way!!! Yay!!!
It’s still amazing to realize this is really happening
for us!
We are so, so grateful for everyone that
has had a part in helping us through this journey.
Irronically, Chris and I are both looking forward to this
surgery as there is a great chance for relief and maybe a possibility of him
being with us longer than expected. Who knows the Lord works in mysterious ways
and who can say that this isn’t the straw that it will take for him to
make a turn for the better. Please keep
both of us in your prayers as we go through this procedure.
On a lighter note, Chris and I were sitting watching t.v. last
night and he came up with another really cute name for a boy. We are both so
excited to have the opportunity to make our dream a reality. Since Chris will
be in the hospital around the time I will need to have my saline sonohistogram,
there is a good chance my mother in law or best friend will be going with me,
but I know Chris will be there in spirit.
During our first IVF cycle we joked that we were the “shot
twins” as Chris had to receive injections to boost his immune systems
every six weeks, while I was having injections daily to prepare for our IVF
cycle.
I guess you could say this time around we’re “the
surgery twins”. Isn’t is great to have a partner by your side!
ABOUT THREE WEEKS TO GO BEFORE THE BIG MIRACLE!!
Maddie
