So here’s a little more in-depth of what has been happening.
Mason actually had two surgeries. I don’t think I’ve mentioned the other one, seemed so minor. A few years ago Mason had the VNS implanted. (read more at www.bluesticker.com/mason
As a refresher: the brain surgery that Mason had is called Corpus Callosotomy. The surgeon severed the part of the brain where the left and right side of the brain communicate with each other, stopping the seizure from crossing from one side to the other causing the big seizures - tonic drop seizures, tonic clonic (grand mal)) and the like. The purpose was to decrease the intensity of the seizures, not the amount
So far, the number of seizures has dropped by about 90% - not really expected but accepted!!! He was having 20 - 30, and now just a few in the mornings. The intensity has also decreased by the same amount. The morning seizures have been the strongest and worst, causing Mason to fall and hurt himself, as well as have some difficulty breathing. Monday, a week before the surgery, he had three tonic clonic seizures before school. Really wiped him out, and the first one had his face buried in the blanket with little or no breathing room. Now his seizures are tiny little twitches, hardly noticeable if we’re not looking.
There could be changes along the way, especially in the first few weeks until the swelling goes down. His face had a bit of swelling the first day or two, but if he’s wearing a hat, you wouldn’t know a thing was different. The incision is longer than originally anticipated. It’s like a big staple shape. Because Mason had a lot of blood vessels at the top of his head, the incision was made to be able to into the brain from the front for part of the surgery and the back for the rest. As it turned out, our gifted surgeon was able to do the entire process from the front only, eliminating the need to disturb the back part of the brain. Although the surgery time was anticipated at 3 ½ to 4 hours, the brain surgery actually took about 4 ½ hours. With the rest of the time taken for the VNS.
I am figuring out pain management and why he cries. Yesterday he had been crying a lot, gave him Tylenol with codeine. Didn’t do much. I was a little concerned. Then we fed him supper. He ate 3 pieces of lasagna and garlic toast. He was very happy after. His cries have changed, so I have to get used to them.
Today has been a great day for Mason. Lots of laughing and giggling, triggered by burping and peek-a-boo. He even had some bounced to his step today, so I see running and jumping starting shortly!
So that’s it for today. I hope you can all see how important you are in the miracles of Mason’s life. Thanks for your support! He’s just woken up, so I gotta run! Shirley
