Skip to main content

Surgery a must

My little superhero will have yet another chance to show off his super strength with a second brain surgery scheduled for this month.

Doctors informed us earlier this week that all of his symptoms are related to the fluid-filled cysts growing in his spinal cord. The cause: an obstruction in the flow of CSF in his head, primarily (or at least neurosurgeons suspect) in the area of his previous surgery.

It has been 4 years since he was opened up and a large cancerous tumour was removed from the back of his brain. But the memories and emotions of that initial surgery still feel like it was yesterday.

However, this latest news is not all bad. In fact there is a lot of positive.

First and foremost, it is NOT the cancer or any regrowth of the remaining tumour tissue left on his brainstem. He is still CANCER FREE (that sounds so good to say!)

Secondly, the surgery is routine. Albeit there will be an increased risk because the area has previously been operated on, but the surgeon is familiar with Xavier and his initial surgery. She has followed him ever since. (Dr. Singh is an amazing woman and we can't say enough about her expertise at McMaster Children's Hospital).

And lastly, the surgery should alleviate most, if not all, of the symptoms Xavier has been having recenly.

It was four months ago during his last MRI that the cysts had somewhat increased in size. At that time he was not experiencing any symptoms - so nothing was recommended.

Between then and now, multiple symptoms have presented. With no treatment, his condition could eventually affect his mobility.

We expected something (surgery is the only option) would have to be done. We just didn't expect it to be this soon. However, he is young and will bounce back quickly.

I am scared for him. But I know he can do it. He has endured worse and so have we.

The five-hour surgery will keep him in the hospital for about five days. And doctors are confident, pending no unforseen complications, he will have a full recovery and return to school within a few weeks.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The aftermath is MESSY

We are on the road to recovery!  Physically, Xavier is improving daily with his regular physio and pure determination only a child possesses. He is learning to walk again and use his left side, all while building back the muscle he lost.  He has at least another month of treatment left, but we are so fortunate we can manage it at home and at a dose that causes fewer side effects than he faced last month.  Xavier is determined and I admire that in children. The lack of self-pity in kids we have seen  on his cancer ward are so inspiring. Instead they use that energy to heal, and set goals for recovery.   Still there are residual symptoms that are concerning. He is choking on liquids more frequently, suffering from reflux and is unable to move his toes on his left foot. Seems minor but as he tries to walk now his toes curl under his foot and trip him. Who knew how important straightening your toes are!  But the lingering side effect of treatment ...
2 comments
Read more
Ever since I learned how to write, I have been writing. I am not a professional, nor do I pretend to be. I am not an English major or a published author. I wrote the news for years (almost 10 if you count my years at my college newspaper). But the benefit of writing for me is not for money; it's for pleasure. Writing makes me feel good. Since I was 10 years old I kept a diary. I wrote down my thoughts, my daily activities and everything in between. It was my stress relief - how I figured shit out. I can trace every low point in my life to a time when I stopped writing for pleasure. Pen to a paper, fingers to a keyboard, I have to write. My sanity depends on it. So, here I go. I intend on writing about my life, about stories I have swirling around in my head. And maybe share some excerpts from my diaries as a child. If no one reads this, that's fine. It's not for anyone else but me. But if they do, that's ok too. If I can bring a tear, a laugh or a smile to someone e...
2 comments
Read more

I haven't stopped loving you

I haven’t stopped loving you A letter to my son in heaven on the third anniversary of his death Photo by Mark Garrett/Creative Works Photography Dear Xavier,  I have noticed you don’t visit me as often anymore and I miss your surprise appearances in my dreams. Your sweet little voice I used to hear in my head is now just a whisper I can only hear when I really try to listen.  But, I haven’t stopped loving you.  Days go by and I don’t long for you like I used to. I set the table for three without a second thought. Your presence at the kitchen table feels like a lifetime ago - almost hard to believe it was even real.  But, I haven’t stopped loving you.   We put away some more of your things and rearranged the room we had made for you. Mackenzie now plays there beside a cabinet full of all of your Star Wars characters. There are fewer pictures of just you around the house and a few more of us as a family.  But, I haven’t stop...
1 comment
Read more