As we had heard, It will be a pretty major incision - ear to ear. They will then peel the skin back and cut through the skull. They will remove quite a bit of the bone in the front of the skull over his eyes. From the way the surgeon talked, it may be close to the size of an iPhone turned horizontally. He described the bone like an Oreo, having two layers. They will use one layer of bone to help fill the gap where the cyst currently sits and has blocked the bone from developing. They will return the other layer to its original position and hold it in place with screws and plates that will dissolve slowly over several months. When they get into the skull they suspect they may find that the cysts have created a hole in the dura mater - the thin leather-like lining around the brain. If so, they will try to seal that off, but there is a chance that spinal fluid may leak through and out his nose. If that occurred they would have to do a second surgery to repair it. Hopefully that is unlikely. However, if there is some drainage due to surgery, they may put a drain on his back at the base of his spine for a few days to allow that to heal. They will also have him on anti-seizure medication for probably a week. He will spend tonight in the ICU but then should be able to move to a regular room for the next several nights. It is likely that swelling from the surgery will cause his eyes to swell shut for some of the weekend. But he will be on morphine and other things to manage the pain and will probably spend a lot of time sleeping over the next few days.
Because of the delay in getting back to surgery, Grant was starting to get pretty hungry and thirsty. He is really looking forward to getting something to eat and drink after surgery. But that concern went away when they gave him Versed about 30 minutes before they took him back. The Versed calms him down and he got really mellow and relaxed. Pretty smiley too.
The surgery is expected to last about 5 hours, but they will give us some updates throughout.
5 comments:
Thank you for your blog. I have been thinking about Grant and praying for him all day. I've been praying for his mom and dad too, cause this isn't easy for them either! I pray everything goes smoothly with no complications and his recovery is quick. We love Grant!
I'll be following and praying for all of you as Well.
My prayers will be with you guys all day too, that the spirit will guide the surgeons, comfort all of you, and heal that sweet little Grant quickly. Hugs.
He looks so cute in the little hospital clothes. What a hard day for all three of you. Praying for you. Thanks for the updates!
You will be in our prayers. It's so hard to see our little ones go through things they just shouldn't have to at their young age. I know too how hard and exhausting it as a mother caring for a sick child. God will carry you through as well as your family and friends who are pouring out their love and prayers on your family's behalf. Wish we could be there to help in some way, but know we are thinking of you! Love/Hugs!!!!
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