Problem Child

Today Grace had another CT scan and follow-up appointment with her neurosurgeon. We are trying to make sure her shunt is at the right level for her little head, so it's taking a lot of follow up. Just a reminder, about three weeks ago I took Grace to the doctor because she wasn't acting right. We found out her shunt was over-draining and her ventricles had collapsed. Since the ventricles collapsed, the fluid was collecting on the outside of her brain by her skull. Her ventricles are recovering well, but the pockets of fluid outside her brain are not getting smaller. Normally they would be showing some signs of decrease. We can't leave the fluid on the outside of her brain because it will eventually calcify and take up space where her growing brain should go. But he also doesn't want to perform surgery unless he's completely confident we've exhausted all other options. This surgery would include drilling holes in her skull and he just doesn't want to put her through that and risk infection, etc. unless it's necessary. So we are giving it a bit more time and will go back in three weeks for another follow up. And of course we were given instructions to call if ANYTHING changes.

While he was considering all of our options, he tickled her and said, "Grace, you are a such cute little girl, but you are certainly a problem child!"  :) Thankfully we've always had great outcomes, but it seems that Grace's little head doesn't always do exactly as it should.

Kicked back, snoozing at the park.

I am so grateful that Grace has such a kind, caring and experienced neurosurgeon. I know he cares about Grace and always, always looks out for what is best for her in the long run.

Please pray for Gracie's fluid to go down so she won't have to go through another surgery!