Quick Update on Andrew

We've had a busy week. Which I guess is a good thing, 'cause it keeps our minds off last weekend. We've received an amazing outpouring of love and support, and I want to thank everyone for their kind letters and comments. They help bring a little light during a dark time.

So Andrew had surgery yesterday to place a shunt. Everything went very well, and we are not expecting any complications. They will take some x-rays today to make sure everything is placed where they want it, and we are hopeful that Andrew will start to feel more comfortable in the next few days. I admit, that I am optimistic that this will resolve his hydrocephalus, that it won't get infected, and that he will be off oxygen soon, no more desats and bradys, and will be home in a month. Possible, yes, but unrealistically optimistic. But a dad's gotta dream, right? :)

The shunt has a little reservoir on the top of his head, which flows to a valve behind his left ear. The valve is a pressure release, so when the CSF reaches a certain pressure, the valve opens, and the CSF drains through a tube down to his abdominal cavity where his stomach, liver, kidneys and intestines -- I didn't realize there was extra space down there. Then the CSF is absorbed naturally into his body.

So, as long as this shunt works, we'll just be waiting on him to start breathing without supplemental oxygen, stabilizing his vitals, eating from a bottle (he has demonstrated an ability to suck, swallow, and breathe, and pace himself, which is AWESOME -- there is a very strong possibility that he won't need a g-tube!), and finishing up his eye development. It is awesome to be working on the things which will allow him to go home -- to us.

Ethan's Obituary: http://andersonmortuary.com/node/552