Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Surgery #8 and MRI

Tomorrow is a busy day for Scarlett.  She will have her first post-surgical full brain and spine MRI.  She will aslo get a new shunt.

The doctors wisely decided to combine these two procedures to allow her to be sedated only once.  She has the MRI first around noon; it should take about 2 hours for such a detailed scan.  Then she will be taken directly to the operating room for the placement of a new shunt.  It will be implanted just behind the old site, where the skin and bone are more sturdy than the rest of the left side of her skull.

We are crossing our fingers for NO TUMOR GROWTH on the MRI.  We know from her CT scan last week that there is nothing large growing, but small patches could be developing.  We hope the chemo has kept any cells from regrowing.  I want to be prepared; today I talked with our Nurse Practitioner about how soon we will find out if there is a problem, and what we will do.  I need a contingency plan so that I won't feel helpless if it happens.  She does not expect to see anything worrisome; if there is anything, we have options.

The shunt surgery is good to get over with.  On the scale of Scarlett's surgeries, this is minor.  Recovery should be relatively quick.  We will still need a few days in the hospital to finish off the antibiotics, to be extra cautious of future infections.  She will always be at risk for these infections, so the surgeons are taking all the possible precautions.  We should not have to go to the PICU, should be able to come back to our regular room and settle back in for recovery.

I'll try to post an update as soon as there is news.

19 comments:

Tiffany Ellis said...

We will keep you and Scarlett in our prayers that everything goes well tomorrow!

bobwendi said...

Sending many prayers your way that nothing is found in Scarlett's scan and that her surgery goes perfect! :)

shynek said...

Thinking of your family today and everyday!!! My fingers, toes, legs, arms and even eyes are crossed that Scarlett's MRI comes back clear! Hugs!

Jennifer said...

We will be thinking of little Scarlett all day today. Good luck and we look forward to your next post that says CLEAN MRI and easy, successful surgery! <3 to Scarlett.
The Meadows family

skylac8506 said...

We are hoping, praying and crossing our fingers, toes, legs..whatever we can, that there is no tumor and that her surgery goes on without a hitch! Good luck and we will be thinking of all of you! Sending love and prayers from the Cozza's in CT.

Jamie said...

I will be praying for her today, as I always do but more so for no new growth. God bless.

stacie said...

hugs and prayers!
love,
the lesnau family MN

Sylvia said...

Sending prayers for Scarlett, that the procedures go without any issues and for a clean MRI. Thinking of you guys. Sending you hugs!

~Q said...

Prayers, hugs, and blessings. Will be thinking of all of you today.

Kathleen said...

Praying for smooth surgeries & a clean MRI!

Anonymous said...

Praying and sending hugs and love

Irene K said...

sending good thoughts and strength :) Love from Austin, TX

Stephanie said...

Fingers crossed for a sparkly clean MRI and easy time for Miss Scarlett and her mommy and daddy!

Unknown said...

Sending out my love from BBC(August 2010)! Hope you all make it out with little pain, and lots of ease! GOOD LUCK! Scarlett and her parents will be be my thoughts and prayers..

April said...

Bless her sweet little heart. I will be sending good thoughts her way all day tomorrow (like every other day) and hope for a quick recovery. She has been through more in her 6 months than most people have to deal with in a lifetime. She's strong... She must come from good stock.

*Laura Angel said...

Thinking of your family!

Unknown said...

Saying prayers for you and your family. Scarlett is such a fighter.

Unknown said...

I am glad this is a minor surgery for her, I just hate that she has to go through this at all. But Im sure you know that way more than me. I pray for a fast and easy recovery and nothing but a healthy MRI.

Scarlett is a fighter, as well are you! You have made it this far, you can make it through anything,

Thankyou for taking the time to update us

Ashley said...

praying for your beautiful scarlett...