The glass is changing...

I consider myself a positive person most of the time.  This whole experience, beginning on May 1, 2006, has done its best to take me 'off the course' of optimism.  Just how many conversations can one endure that begins, "Well, we don't have a crystal ball, but we could try..."?  I don't expect perfection, but wish the percentage of positive outcomes outweighed the negative.  After meeting with the Neurosurgeon on Friday, I walked away with my heart weighing on the negative outcomes. 

The type of surgery that can be conducted on Ahnya's brain is a two-part surgery.  I found a pretty good, reader-friendly description that I took from www.epilepsy.com -

______________________________________________________________________________

How is the two-stage procedure done?

During the first stage, a surgeon creates an opening in the skull and exposes the surface of the brain. No brain tissue is removed, but small electrical contacts, or electrodes, are placed over the surface of the brain. Once these electrodes are in place, the scalp is closed. The patient then returns to a hospital bed and is closely monitored. The electrodes not only record the patient’s seizures electrically (thereby allowing physicians to identify where the seizures start), but also allow mapping of brain areas under the electrodes. During this kind of mapping (called extraoperative brain mapping because it happens outside the operating room), the patient is always awake and conscious. He or she is able to participate fully during the mapping. The completeness of the final map is limited only by the number and location of the electrodes that were placed on the brain’s surface.

The second stage of surgery, which may be several days later, is when the surgeon performs a second operation and removes the abnormal brain tissue, using the information gathered from the electrical recordings and the brain mapping. 

_____________________________________________________________________________

The second stage of surgery, described above, would be the IDEAL outcome for Ahnya because it would cause no further damage.  Unfortunately, the doctors at The Denver Children's Hospital are very concerned that the damaged tissue is too close to functioning tissue.  This makes it difficult to operate because of the risk of affecting the 'good tissue' during surgery.  While Ahnya's brain has transferred most of her language ability to the right hemisphere (since the infection 5 years ago), we now understand there is concern for her motor abilities as well.  We left Friday's appointment feeling defeated in our options and powerless to make a 'safe' decision.  

Today was different. :-)

With more options then what Children's Hospital is able to offer us, we have decided to do the surgery here at the Mayo Clinic.  A conference call, after our appointment, prompted the decision to move forward in anticipation of a more desirable outcome for Ahnya.  In order to start qualifying her for surgery this summer, there are two tests that need to be conducted here at Mayo - an MRI and an EMU (Epileptic Monitoring Unit) study.  This will take a couple more days this week. 

What a wonderful turn of events to finally attend an appointment that is optimistic and hopeful.  While I continue to hear about the notorious crystal ball, my vision of a positive outcome changed the moment I left the doctor's office and walked into one of the many atriums in the Mayo Clinic -

This beautiful chandelier reminds me of how complicated, precious, and fragile this little brain is.  I pray that her brain, and how she chooses to use it, will bless others and give them something to enjoy - that it will show God's goodness and love. 

My job is to stay focused and wise, while loving on Ahnya.  Please join me in praying for several things -
1.  We need our insurance to (quickly) pre-approve Ahnya's MRI and EMU stay in order for her to be admitted in the morning.  Please pray that everything is taken care of first thing in the morning and nothing will stand in our way of completing these tests while we are here.
2.  COOPERATION!  Although Ahnya could write the book "Complete Idiot's Guide to MRIs and EMU stays", she's quite the patient when it comes to IVs and EEG leads! :-)  Let's just say - she makes a name for herself!
3.  Our safe travel back to Denver on Saturday.
4.  Our sweet family who is not with us.  Jonathan continues to hold down the fort in Denver.  Please pray for them to remain safe and healthy.

Thank you for your concern, prayers, encouragement, and love. 

Now with my glass half full,
Melissa