Vegas_Dave
12-09-2005, 02:28 PM
So some of you may recall back this summer, I had my youngest (about 10-11 months old at the time) who had a Nasal Dermoid. In short, it is a cyst-like material on top of the nose, under the skin.
The big concern back then was wether or not this material was still connected to the brain (happens in 15-20% of cases).
An MRI then showed no connection.
Well he had his surgery and everything went fine. About 2 months ago, it relapsed and started to grow again. We were warned that this could happen if 100% of the growth was not fully removed.
So he had his second surgery toady (he is 16 months old today). Went fine, but the surgeon found a small filament that he believe is still connected to the brain that appears to go underneath the nasal bone (at the junction with the nose cartiledge).
Meaning that now, after these 2 surgeries, we get to start back a quare zero, do more tests, meet with a Neurosurgeon and in about 1-2 months, have as 3rd surgery where they will make an incision on the top of his head, peel back his forhead, remove a small piece of bone from the front/base of his skull as well as split the nasal bone so that they can perform the neural surgery to remove this once and for all (or so we now hope). Will be about a 6 hour surgery with about 1 week in the hospital after that.
I know we are all praying for the Chiefs to make the playoffs this year, but if you are able to take a little of that and send it mine, my wifes and my son's way, it would be appreciated as we are absolutely wrecks right now.
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Update post 12/15/05:
First, thank you to all that have offered their prayers and thoughts, and to those that have us in mind.
We had our first new consult with the surgeon. He made us aware that he wants to do this quick. This is because he claims to have seen clear fluid coming from the "stock" where the dermoid was growing from. His belief is that this is fluid from the brain.
So utmost urgency was his stressed point. We will be going in for a New MRI before Tuesday and then will be meeting with the Neurosurgeon within 2 days after that.
My guess is that this will happen before the end of the year (which will be nice since I have already hit my out of pocket maximum for the year on my insurance - though money is not my concern).
Again, thanks for all of your prayers and thoughts.
I have finally reached a point that I now know and accept that it is out of my hands. All I can do is make sure that I give my son the best surgeons possible... which I believe I have done. Since I am a believer, I have put my faith and trust in God. What more can I do but that.
So again, thanks and I will definately keep my ChiefsFamily informed.
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Update 12/16/05
So when it rains, it pours. This update has nothing to do with my son. This part is my father in law.
My father in law suffers from critical emphasyma (sp?). He is 50 years old.
Last night, my oldest son (3 years old) was staying the night at the in laws house. We get a call at 3:30 am this morning because my father in law had to be taken to the hospital via ambulence.
Appearantly, last night, he had what is described to me as "an air bubble burst" in his lung. He could not breath even with his inhaler and oxygen machine.
They had to sedate him because he was physically thrashing.
He is now only being kept alive right now by a ventilator. There is a small chance that his lung can repair the rupture, but if it does not, then there is nothing that they can do but keep him alive by the ventilator.
He has completely express his desire that he does not, under any circumstances want to live out his life attached to life support or a ventilator.
My wife, brother in law, mother in law and myself all 100% know this and understand.
So right now, he is in critical condition in intensive care. There is nothing anyone can do. If his lung heals, then it was not because of any medical help. If his lung cannot heal, then we are brought with the choice of honoring his wish.
So now, pray for us even more as it looks like he will not make it out of this.
Merry Christmas.
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Update 12/23/05
Well, a few updates here. My father-in-law's condition has not improved at all. Appearantly, he also has pnuemonia in his good lung as well which has not improved. He has been on the ventilator/breathing tube for 7 days and they have let us know that he can only have it for another 7 days or risk severe damage to his esophaugus (sp?).
After that time frame has passed, if his lungs cannot take over regular breathing again his only other choice would be a Trachyotomy with oxygen going direct that way for the rest of his life. We already know he does not want this though if it comes down to it, he will be given the option still.
The doctors are saying that they are going to try and force his lungs to take over some of the wait by making his ventilator pump less often and with less oxygen per breath. They are doing this in hopes that it will stimulate the lungs to start improving.
As for my son, he finally got another MRI (3rd attempt, they couldnt get him sedated the first two days... stubborn brat). Had our meeting with the Nuerosurgeon yesterday and says that the results are inconclusive. He sees what "could" be the intracranial tract but it could also be inflamed tissue from his surgery 2 weeks ago. So I am taking him the original MRI's from 6 months ago to compare and rule out the inflamed material theory possibly. If that is the case, then he wants a CAT Scan to determine where in the bone the gap is that this material is connected.
So, still busy here. I appreciate all the thoughts and prayers and the PM's that many have sent me. It all helps greatly.
Merry Christmas and lets kick some Charger tail.
The big concern back then was wether or not this material was still connected to the brain (happens in 15-20% of cases).
An MRI then showed no connection.
Well he had his surgery and everything went fine. About 2 months ago, it relapsed and started to grow again. We were warned that this could happen if 100% of the growth was not fully removed.
So he had his second surgery toady (he is 16 months old today). Went fine, but the surgeon found a small filament that he believe is still connected to the brain that appears to go underneath the nasal bone (at the junction with the nose cartiledge).
Meaning that now, after these 2 surgeries, we get to start back a quare zero, do more tests, meet with a Neurosurgeon and in about 1-2 months, have as 3rd surgery where they will make an incision on the top of his head, peel back his forhead, remove a small piece of bone from the front/base of his skull as well as split the nasal bone so that they can perform the neural surgery to remove this once and for all (or so we now hope). Will be about a 6 hour surgery with about 1 week in the hospital after that.
I know we are all praying for the Chiefs to make the playoffs this year, but if you are able to take a little of that and send it mine, my wifes and my son's way, it would be appreciated as we are absolutely wrecks right now.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Update post 12/15/05:
First, thank you to all that have offered their prayers and thoughts, and to those that have us in mind.
We had our first new consult with the surgeon. He made us aware that he wants to do this quick. This is because he claims to have seen clear fluid coming from the "stock" where the dermoid was growing from. His belief is that this is fluid from the brain.
So utmost urgency was his stressed point. We will be going in for a New MRI before Tuesday and then will be meeting with the Neurosurgeon within 2 days after that.
My guess is that this will happen before the end of the year (which will be nice since I have already hit my out of pocket maximum for the year on my insurance - though money is not my concern).
Again, thanks for all of your prayers and thoughts.
I have finally reached a point that I now know and accept that it is out of my hands. All I can do is make sure that I give my son the best surgeons possible... which I believe I have done. Since I am a believer, I have put my faith and trust in God. What more can I do but that.
So again, thanks and I will definately keep my ChiefsFamily informed.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Update 12/16/05
So when it rains, it pours. This update has nothing to do with my son. This part is my father in law.
My father in law suffers from critical emphasyma (sp?). He is 50 years old.
Last night, my oldest son (3 years old) was staying the night at the in laws house. We get a call at 3:30 am this morning because my father in law had to be taken to the hospital via ambulence.
Appearantly, last night, he had what is described to me as "an air bubble burst" in his lung. He could not breath even with his inhaler and oxygen machine.
They had to sedate him because he was physically thrashing.
He is now only being kept alive right now by a ventilator. There is a small chance that his lung can repair the rupture, but if it does not, then there is nothing that they can do but keep him alive by the ventilator.
He has completely express his desire that he does not, under any circumstances want to live out his life attached to life support or a ventilator.
My wife, brother in law, mother in law and myself all 100% know this and understand.
So right now, he is in critical condition in intensive care. There is nothing anyone can do. If his lung heals, then it was not because of any medical help. If his lung cannot heal, then we are brought with the choice of honoring his wish.
So now, pray for us even more as it looks like he will not make it out of this.
Merry Christmas.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Update 12/23/05
Well, a few updates here. My father-in-law's condition has not improved at all. Appearantly, he also has pnuemonia in his good lung as well which has not improved. He has been on the ventilator/breathing tube for 7 days and they have let us know that he can only have it for another 7 days or risk severe damage to his esophaugus (sp?).
After that time frame has passed, if his lungs cannot take over regular breathing again his only other choice would be a Trachyotomy with oxygen going direct that way for the rest of his life. We already know he does not want this though if it comes down to it, he will be given the option still.
The doctors are saying that they are going to try and force his lungs to take over some of the wait by making his ventilator pump less often and with less oxygen per breath. They are doing this in hopes that it will stimulate the lungs to start improving.
As for my son, he finally got another MRI (3rd attempt, they couldnt get him sedated the first two days... stubborn brat). Had our meeting with the Nuerosurgeon yesterday and says that the results are inconclusive. He sees what "could" be the intracranial tract but it could also be inflamed tissue from his surgery 2 weeks ago. So I am taking him the original MRI's from 6 months ago to compare and rule out the inflamed material theory possibly. If that is the case, then he wants a CAT Scan to determine where in the bone the gap is that this material is connected.
So, still busy here. I appreciate all the thoughts and prayers and the PM's that many have sent me. It all helps greatly.
Merry Christmas and lets kick some Charger tail.