Mason turned one this week! Where did the time go? My "on this day" on Facebook has had me in tears daily reliving his birth, first surgery, and NICU time. It is amazing, really. I am not sure that I cried at the time. God's grace and calming hand gave me the ability to focus on him, without many worries. I think the medical community would probably describe it as some kind of mild shock, but I know exactly where that peace came from.
Last Friday, Mason had an MRI with a CSF flow study under anesthesia. His neurosurgeon wanted to evaluate the new pathway for CSF that was made from the surgery in March. At our follow-up appointment yesterday, he told us that he is still not convinced that this is working well enough for Mason. His ventricles (fluid filled spaces in his brain) are staying the same size, but his fontanel (soft spot on top of his head) is still full. That is a sign that the pressure is still to high in Mason's head. The surgeon said that sometimes, with time, the ETV can start working more efficiently. We will go back June 1st for another MRI and neurosurgery appointment. If Mason's ventricles are the same size, but his fontanel is soft and not full, then we will carry on with reassurance that the ETV is enough to handle the CSF that Mason's brain is producing. If Mason's ventricles are the same size, or larger, and Mason's fontanel is full, then we will plan for a VP shunt revision. Mason's equipment from his non-functioning shunt is still in place, so we hope that if we have to do a revision, all they need to replace is the portion of the shunt that goes into his brain.
My prayer is for wisdom for hte docs to know which way to go and comfort for Mason in the meantime. Guys, I will admit it-- this is tough. Mason is getting three teeth and deep in the not-the-momma stage. It is very difficult to know if he is fussy because his head hurts, if his teeth hurt, or if he is just a one-year-old who doesn't know how to process his feelings. So please pray for comfort for him to get through the next three weeks without incident.
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