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