Questions for NeuroSurgeon

[Guest guest]

My son (7 years old) is going to see a neurosurgeon tomorrow and I am

exhausted weeding through information. What are some key questions I should be

asking? I am making a list to take with me so I don't get side tracked and

come home with more questions I should have asked. The Orthopedist said she

could not diagnose it as did the urologist but they both basically told me

he has a tethered cord after the MRI. When he was under 2 the neurologist

did a MRI and said it was questionable at L5 but said it was a wait and

see but he retired and the new neurologist didn't ever mention it again. He

has mild cerebral palsy and was treating the toe walking as CP related and

sensory related. The toe walking continued until eventually we couldn't

stretch him and he complained with his legs. They were deciding between botox

and casting or heel cord surgery until they did the MRI, we were referred to

a urologist when he was 4 because we never got him trained and he did

surgery to open up the opening to the urethra because it was partially blocked

and did xrays that confirmed severe constipation. We started him on mirilax

and detrol but the problems aren't going away and now he is dribbling most

of the time. I have no idea if they'll do surgery, If they do can they

repair the bladder issues? What happens if you leave it alone? Will we still

need to lengthen the heel cords? I had a friend going to the surgeon with us

but now she can't and I know I'll get caught up in the first thing he says

and he'll lose me. I am a nervous wreck as you can see...24 more

hours...this has been the longest 2 weeks of my life.

Darla