Graham Update Day 58 (8/5/14)
Quick update tonight as we continue to wait on details of when and where Graham's next brain surgery will be. We do have a few interesting details to share....
This next surgery will be more invasive than the previous one. Putting a plate under the brain and securing it in the base of the skull is pretty tricky. Unlike in cartoons, the brain doesn't lift out of the skull very easily. One positive is that they will be able to use the same incision line as before, so hopefully the scarring is at a minimum.
We are not all that sure yet as to how the two surgeons' approaches will differ. About the only thing we know now is that the Surgeon at Cook Children's would use titanium plates, while Dr. Braga at Children's Medical Center uses plates that dissolve over the course of about a year.
We asked the therapists today "If Graham did NOT have to get a surgery done, how much longer do you estimate he would remain here at the hospital?" Answer: 3-4 weeks. So with the surgery, we are probably looking at mid- to late-September before Graham can come home. That is obviously a lot longer than we thought. Back when we went to the first rehab place they estimated Graham's stay at that time would be 1-2 weeks, would would have put us home by now. Cook Children's takes a different approach, obviously. They base their decision on when to discharge Graham on two factors: Is it safe for Graham to be home, and is he progressing in his rehab or has he plateaued? The good news is that Graham is making great strides both mentally and physically, which leads them to think that a longer stay will be advantageous to him.
We are so blessed that Graham has come as far as he has. We know he will fight through this, and we know that we are being blessed tremendously by God because of all those who pray for him. Thank you so much, and we hope to have more to report on soon!
Keep fighting Graham :)
ReplyDeleteIt makes me so happy that progress is still evident and PREDICTABLE! Yeah Graham. You are our superhero! It makes me totally squeamish to think about manipulating his brain outside the skull to make these repairs. Thank goodness doctors find it fascinating and can use precision and skill to help and heal. I think about all of you all day every day. All my friends ask about Graham and I've had many opportunities to share his story with others. I am praying for continued tender mercies from heaven.
ReplyDeleteI am praying for Gods wisdom for the surgeons and peace for both of you as sweet Graham goes into surgery. Its such a scary thing for us as parents to have to sit by and have someone else in charge of our baby's welfare. Just remember that our great God is ultimately in charge and He is so able for everything that is going on.
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