Monday, January 4, 2016

Sometimes It's the Big Things That Count

January 4, 2016 - Update on Logan

It's been awhile, so I thought there's no better time to update on how Logan is doing, than the beginning of a new year.

We had an appointment today with the pediatric neurosurgeon to review an MRI that he had done this morning at Medical City Dallas, but let me rewind about 9 weeks.....

Logan had started having headaches again, so we began the process of elimination by taking all the steps that we know so well, to try to figure out the source of the problem.  Took him to the pediatrician - no sinus infection, just treat him for allergies.  Still, the headaches continue.  Call to the craniofacial surgeon, who asks for an updated ophthamologist reporting that there's no optic nerve pressure.  Luckily, we know this drill and had already had it done right before school started.  There are usually three things the surgeon checks out before making any big surgery decisions: 1. optic nerve pressure 2. sleep apnea (which there are two kinds:  obstructive airway apnea, and central sleep apnea) 3. brain scans.

The optic pressure was ruled out in July; his sleep apnea is minimal now (he had the obstructive kind) since he had his mid-advancement surgery, so the brain scan was the final piece of the puzzle.
In looking at his brain scan today, the neurosurgeon said in a nutshell that everything looks ok inside.  His ventricles are larger than they were in 2009 (date of last MRI), but he has always had large ventricles, and since he had a cranial vault a couple of years ago, this is likely why they are a little larger because he was given more room.  They sinus cavity seemed in tact and all good.
I know a lot of this sounds like mumbo jumbo, but the bottom line is this:  He does NOT have to have surgery any time soon!  So, the final outcome:  we will still treat his headaches with over-the-counter medicine for now, and just monitor them if they continue or get worse.  We will still have an annual visit with the craniofacial surgeon, but my instincts tell me that he will review the reports and send us on our way, surgery free as well.
It gives us peace of mind at least, to know that there have been no drastic changes in his brain, and that there is no surgery on the horizon!  God continues to answer our prayers.
What a great way to start 2016!
Our journey continues.

God Bless,
Lisa Brown