Sunday, March 21, 2010

Lola's Surgery


Hi everyone!

Lola is still in the hospital recovering. I am actually in a library that they have in the hospital and I thought that I would update everyone on her status.


Thank you for your positive thoughts, prayers and gestures towards Lola and our family. We are so blessed to have such wonderful people in our lives! Lola went in for surgery Friday evening around 5 PM. It was a about 2 1/2 hours later than originally planned and Lola last ate at 10:30 that morning- needless to say, we had one hungry girl on our hands! She actually did really well and did not get fussy until about 1/2 hour before surgery. The surgery lasted about 2 1/2 hours and she did extremely well. The surgery was much more involved and detailed than originally thought. The drainage tract that was at the base of her bottom, was actually a leakage from the tailbone. When he followed the drainage, it actually was a long tract the weaved underneath the spinal colum and into the middle part of her back- her lumber spine. Here is where it actually turned into the cyst. It basically was a "ballon" of fluid. The doctor removed the cyst and also removed a large fatty mass that was next to the spinal cord. When he followed the drainage tract up, he actually had to lift her spinal cord up (he said like you would lift up a lobster- great visual doc! haha), detach the cord and then reattach it. Needless to say, this takes VERY precise hands and eyes. Once he took out the masses and repaired the cord, he stitched her back up. She does have about a 5 inch incision from the middle of her back all the way to the base of the bottom. The neurosuregon said that he has never seen something quite like this before, but thinks he removed everything and created a good enough space so that she will not get another cyst.




Her recovery so far has been wonderful. She really is inspirational because she is such a fighter and so strong. They do have her on pain medicine and an IV drip. The doctor thinks she will be OK to return home tomorrow! As far as her recovery, it is going tremendously well. She is moving her toes (which is a GREAT sign) and her wound is recoving nicely. A lot of problems that tend to happen will not be able to been seen until future development. Some children have trouble controlling their bowels or bladder. However, so far it seems that this is not a issue. The neurosurgeon stated that typically 1 in 3 will need to come for a follow up surgery, we are hoping this is not the case. Lola is doing amazingly well and we are all so impressed and inspired with her recovery. We must still keep a close eye on the incision and look for fevers (which can be a sign of infection). Please continue to keep Lola and our family in your thoughts and prayers. Love you to all!!



Jen, Chris and Lola <3>