Hello Friends
Well it’s only nine days until Mason’s surgery. I have had moments of fear about the surgery, quickly brought it before God and it dissipated. (wouldn’t it be great if I did that in all areas of my life, all the time!!!!)
Couple of things happening on the 26th of September, the day before surgery, the first is the MRI in the afternoon.
A very important event in the evening. We will be bringing Mason to the church to the Monday night Pray First Team to be prayed over by the elders and pastors. Others will also be there, including family and friends. If you would like to join us, that would be great! If possible, let me know so I can let them know in advance of how many will come. We are currently planning to be there right at 7 pm.
Ephesians 3:20, 21 has been popping into my head a lot lately:

NIV
20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen
Amplified Version:
20 Now to Him Who, by (in consequence of) the [action of His] power that is at work within us, is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly, far over and above all that we [dare] ask or think [infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams]--
21 To Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations forever and ever. Amen (so be it).

Bye for now!!
Love & Thanks Shirley
Ps. I don’t mind if you forward this onto others. There can’t be too many people praying for this boy!! There are also some people on my list that the e-mails, for some reason, won’t go through. So if you get this as a forward that’s great!

Surgery Date

August 17, 2005

Hello all,

Summer is going well. We’ve been doing some holidaying, having a great time at a campground. Mason loves, I mean really loves, digging on the gravel lot!

Anyway, we met with the neurologist and neurosurgeon a few weeks ago and here is a quick overview of what will happen:
~Mason will have an MRI on September 26 (1 pm) to determine where the blood vessels are at the top of his head where they will go in.
~Surgery will be on September 27 lasting 3 ½ to 4 hours. The incision will be along the top of his head, front to back, 3 or 4 inches long or so, depending on where the blood vessels are.
~He will be in the hospital 4 or 5 days
~Back at school after about 2 weeks (after surgery)
~They listed off a few possible complications most of which tend to correct themselves shortly
~Permanent complications would depend mostly on if any of the blood vessels that cross the top of the head were nicked or severed. Therefore the MRI the day before to avoid that.
~They will completely sever the corpus callosum (often they will attempt a partial first, but because of the severity of Mason’s lack of development, the issues that would normally be affected, won’t matter)
~Mason is currently having at least 20 to 30 Tonic seizures per day (not counting his blinking seizures) , according to the EEG intensive monitoring we did a little while back. Those are the seizures that take over his whole brain. That includes those that we don’t notice, but only happen in the brain. This surgery will keep the seizure to the side where it began, keeping it to a focal seizure which in Mason looks like blinking most of the time.
~Neuro-Psych testing appointment on August 18. Meeting with the psychologist (9am – 3 pm) to play with toys and talk. This will help further determine what Mason knows, can do, and what ages he is at developmentally in different areas.

Currently, Mason is doing quite well during the day. Mostly blinking seizures so he isn’t wearing a helmet most days. The worst times are between 5 and 9 am, where they seem to go on back to back in clusters. They also increase somewhat after supper.

Daryl remade the sandbox recently, and the backyard is a place of great pleasure for Mason. The girls are enjoying the summer. Both have had their week at Camp Squeah Bible camp. Seeing friends and spending a lot of time at the trailer and swimming there.

We have not felt anxious about the surgery coming up. We are confident that God is in control, whatever the outcome. He has gifted these doctors greatly. We have had nothing but positive things to say about Childrens Hospital here in Vancouver. Mason’s neurologist, Dr. Mary Connolly has been very supportive and humble. As well as being one of the best in her field internationally.

As I look back on our life and the way circumstances, jobs and homes have taken us down different paths, pointing us to where we are today, there can be no question that our Heavenly Father is really looking after us, even in our tendency to be distracted by other things, and we take our focus off Him.

Thank you again for being part of our circle of family, friends, and supporters. (this includes those of you that are not on my current list, but get these updates and information in other ways!!)

Thanks again!!

Love Shirley and Daryl

July18, 2005
Hello all
Well the Dr’s have recommended the corpus callosotomy brain surgery for Mason, as we expected. Daryl and I will meet with the neurologist and neurosurgeon on Wednesday, July 27 to discuss the details. We also have a surgery date for September 27. The timing is perfect, as my sister Kim is getting married on September 24, in Vancouver, and my mom and other sister will be here to help out without having to make an extra trip.
As always, we covet your prayers for wisdom and the right direction for the doctors. Also for the waiting time, that Mason’s seizures won’t get worse, and all the rest involved with something as major as brain surgery.
I’ll let you know more details after our July 27 appointment.