neurosurgery

[Guest guest]

I called the ped's office to let them know I needed to speak to her this

evening and let them know I was faxing a letter for her to read before she

called. it is easier to cut and paste the letter than to explain all over

again about out day. MRI went well. He was still until the very end.so he

had to repeat the last 7 minutes. my letter

Saw the neurosurgeon & he wants to go ahead with neurosurgery for fatty

terminale (lumbar laminectomy for release of tethered cord). and I

discussed with him the various options that might be available. Dr. X (our

understanding) feels that there really are no other options at this point.

He spoke with Dr. X prior to our coming in to visit, as well. We brought up

the possibility of more testing to determine other possible causes. I told

him that you had spoken to a neurologist who suggested we might do an EMG.

His feeling was that doing an EMG would not be helpful/the data gathered

would not be helpful because we still would not have other options (my

understanding). I asked about doing an EEG and how we could be sure that

there wasn't some sort of " brain related issue " involved. He said that he

doesn't feel an EEG is needed. Something about neurogenic bladders being

seizure related or ph would be having seizures if it were a problem? I

asked if the exams everyone has done helped to rule that out, as well. I

apologize if I have that last point completely wrong.but the main point is

that he doesn't feel further testing would give us helpful information. He

feels we'd be right back where we are, so to speak.

He did speak to us in detail about the surgery. 50% are " cured " from their

neurogenic bladder. He did say that they cannot say why this is. ph

would be in the hospital for 3-4 days. 2 weeks out of school (of course we

homeschool) and then 6 weeks total recovery before he can return to normal

activities. We talked about the potential risks (bleeding, infection and

neurologic deficits). He feels that this surgery is an easy surgery because

it is so far below the nerve endings in the spine. As far as infection, he

asked if J had any previous surgeries (no). We talked about his propensity

toward developing infections and told him we did not have a protocol in

place for surgical procedures. He asked which doctor he should contact

regarding this. and I decided that you were the best one for him to

contact (hope you don't mind). He asked who his hematologist was and we

explained that Dr. Hem is his hematologist, but is now in clinic only one

day a week and can sometimes be difficult to get in touch with.

Would you mind calling me when you get a chance? I would really like to

hear your input on this matter before we go ahead with the surgery. Do you

think 50% success rate is successful enough to give it a try? Many other

questions, of course. We did not set the surgery in stone. They set up a

date (Oct 20th) and we are to call them back once we decide (soon, I

suppose). When looking at our schedule, Oct 20 would work out because it

would be after football season for ph and it would give him plenty of

recovery time before he started winter basketball. He really wants to play

basketball (his first time) & we had told him that he could. Practice

starts in Dec.

Thanks so much for everything you do. I am anxious to hear what you have

to say.

Peace Be With You,

Pattie

Don't let your past dictate who you are now, but let it be a part of who you

will become.