April 10, 2012

Pre Op

It was a long day of appointments. We were in doctor's offices for three and a half hours today.

The neurosurgeon discussed Ashlyn's MRI from yesterday. There haven't been any changes from a few months ago. The spinal fluid isn't flowing as it should. The brain is still sinking into her spinal cord.

She has a pre-syrinx (aka a small pouch of fluid forming in her spinal cord), but not large enough to have to do any special surgical procedure on. We are grateful for this.

The neurosurgeon also explained the surgery a little more. The incision will be about 3 inches long, and he will remove a small portion of her skull. He will also remove a piece of her first vertebrae about the size of a silver dollar. He will cauterize the end of her brain that is sinking too low. The surgeon will put some sort of patch to make more room for Ashlyn's brain.

Me or my husband might be able to go into the operating room with Ashlyn tomorrow and hold her while she gets sedated. We have to check with the anesthesiologist about this in the morning.

Ashlyn got some blood drawn, which she didn't like too much. Her arm was numb but she hated being held down. She is feisty.

Someone also talked with us about what to expect before, during, and after surgery. This was helpful to me since I am so detail oriented. It was a lot of information but it was good for both me and my husband.

We have to be at the hospital tomorrow at 7:00am. Ashlyn's surgery is scheduled for 8:45am, and my in-laws are coming to sit with us.

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