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Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Surgery went well.  She is resting and seems to be feeling a little better.  The pressure is definitely lower in her head; her fontanel has gone from stiff and puffy to soft and squishy (I don't think those are the technical terms...)

It was a short procedure to pull the tube that drains her shunt out of her abdomen and attach it externally until the bacteria clears.  Once the infection is under control, they will put in a new tube.

Unfortunately, shunts are not a perfect solution to spinal fluid overloads (hydrocephalus).  They are easily infected, but they do an important job.  It was a known risk; I thought we would have a little more time than 6 weeks before it caused problems.

Now she gets a range of broad spectrum antibiotics to manage the infection until they can figure out where to go next.  Time to get comfy in another hospital unit.

THANK YOU to Auntie Lindi and Uncle Mike who drove from their house to Oakland to pick up MRI images and surgical reports from the other hospital and dropped them off with Chris at work this morning.  MRI data files are too big to e-mail, apparently, so the most efficient way to transport them in a hurry is us driving all over the Bay Area.
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29 comments:

  1. LisaApril 13, 2011 at 2:50 PM

    Thank you God for watching over Scarlett...so happy to read her surgery went well!

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  2. AnonymousApril 13, 2011 at 3:02 PM

    Fantastic! Good rid-dens bacteria!

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  3. UnknownApril 13, 2011 at 3:46 PM

    Glad she seems to be doing better. Still praying for her to continue to heal.

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  4. AprilApril 13, 2011 at 4:11 PM

    I'm glad she did well. I have been checking in frequently and thinking of you guys all day. I Hope she's feeling better very soon.

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  5. April and RoelApril 13, 2011 at 4:11 PM

    Whew! I didn't check for a couple of days and you've been through so much. I'm glad Scarlett is doing better. That's enough excitement for a while! Thinking of you!

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  6. Irene KApril 13, 2011 at 4:14 PM

    so glad to hear :) hoping for a uneventful evening for you and Scarlett xoxo Hope from Austin, TX xox

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  7. AshleyApril 13, 2011 at 4:32 PM

    So glad to hear! Hoping for a relatively quiet evening for you all. Sleep well baby S! :)

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  8. MissArdreyApril 13, 2011 at 4:42 PM

    How's her fever? Im praying for her everyday!
    God Bless!

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  9. michelleApril 13, 2011 at 5:08 PM

    I have been following your blog since the beginning and check it at least 3 times a day. I pray for you, Chris and Scarlett everyday. I am glad to hear today went well.

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  10. MarshaApril 13, 2011 at 5:09 PM

    I was thinking about you guys all day, glad to hear it went well.....praying for continued improvement.

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  11. RebeccaApril 13, 2011 at 5:30 PM

    Very glad that the surgery is over and that she is feeling a bit better! Thinking of you more than ever and will continue to over the next couple of days. Keep us posted when you can and be sure to take care of you. :) <3

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  12. SherylBirdApril 13, 2011 at 6:15 PM

    Hoping Scarlett is back to her smiling self soon! So sorry to read of her setback - but we all know she's a strong little girl!

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  13. HamblenarmywifeApril 13, 2011 at 6:19 PM

    I've been gone for way to long but I just read all blogs that I missed (sorry have been having problems at home) little Miss Scarlett has had alot of ups and downs in the past week of two! Glad she is resting and feeling a little better! She's so strong Brandi she continues to awe me theres not a day that doesnt go by I dont think of her!! Thanxs for all the blog updates you are truly amazing mom/dad. Thinking and praying for you three everyday!! <3

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  14. KristiApril 13, 2011 at 6:22 PM

    I'm keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers! I hope Scarlett has a quick recovery from her surgery.

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  15. JenniferApril 13, 2011 at 6:36 PM

    So glad to hear that surgery went well and the fluid is draining again. We were relieved to read your update. Scarlett is such a strong little lady, I hope she is her cheerful self again soon! We think of you daily and check your blog often. Good luck and hope you all have a quick uneventful stay in the hospital! :)

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  16. MichelleApril 13, 2011 at 7:09 PM

    Glad to here the surgery went well. I am a fellow Babycenter Mom and have been following your blog for a couple of months. I will continue to pray for Scarlett and your family. You are so strong, as a Mom of a 4 month old I couldn't imagine being in your situation.

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  17. AnonymousApril 13, 2011 at 7:32 PM

    Goodness, it's only been 2 days since i checked in last. A lot has happened! I am glad little Scarlett is doing okay now and I will be praying for her to keep recovering.

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  18. KateApril 13, 2011 at 7:33 PM

    I am glad that the surgery went well. I have been checking in regularly and am grateful for the updates. You three will be in my prayers tonight.

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  19. JennyApril 13, 2011 at 7:54 PM

    Praying for you guys. Stay strong Scarlet, and momma too. :)

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  20. Keri V. KennedyApril 14, 2011 at 5:20 AM

    We went from April of 08 until July of 08 until TOTAL shunt failure. and even then it probably should have been replaced sooner, but we didn't know what we were looking at. Becca was older, so some of the obvious signs weren't available.

    The good news - her second shunt lasted until November of 2010.

    So sorry this infection turned out to be her shunt, but at least its an easy fix and hopefully she will bounce back quick.

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  21. skylac8506April 14, 2011 at 5:41 AM

    Such good news that surgery went well and she is resting and feeling better!! Love your none technical terms :)! You are an amazing mother and an inspiration to all of us! We are hoping the infection clears up quickly and is back to smiling and playing with her toys soon! Sending love and prayers from the Cozza's in CT.

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  22. MichelleApril 14, 2011 at 6:24 AM

    Please baby girl, be well.

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  23. rrcApril 14, 2011 at 7:20 AM

    So glad to hear the surgery went well and little Scarlett is resting! Hugs and prayers from South Dakota!!!

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  24. DiJeApril 14, 2011 at 9:39 AM

    So thankful she is doing better. Many blessings!

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  25. subhaApril 14, 2011 at 10:49 AM

    Have been silently reading your blog for a few months now - Miss Scarlett is such a strong little baby and you are an amazing and inspiring mom. I just love looking at her pics. I will continue to think of you guys and send positive vibes your way...

    thank you for being an inspiration. good luck, hugs and love to you all

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  26. BethApril 14, 2011 at 5:32 PM

    I'm so glad she's doing better and you have a definite answer to the fevers but I'm SO sad that precious girl and you and Chris have to face another obstacle! She is truly SUCH a strong girl! Hang in there and as always you are all in our thoughts and prayers

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  27. katyApril 14, 2011 at 6:26 PM

    I am so glad to hear that surgery went well. We are keeping you all in our thoughts and prayers. xoxo

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  28. UnknownApril 14, 2011 at 7:24 PM

    Always in my thoughts and prayers. Scarlett is so strong, and so are you and Chris.

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  29. UnknownApril 15, 2011 at 2:37 PM

    Still amazed by your family's strength, and praying for more.

    Ya know, depending on how big the MRI files are, you may be able to use online storage like dropbox to transfer them, in case someone is not available. They allow 2 gigabytes of online storage for free. All you need is an email address to get an account.

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