Waiting game!!!

Wow! We have been so busy with lots of things I have not had time to blog! We finally got our genetic screening packet! Took me a couple of days to fill it out but it is now sent back to Cardinal Glennon and now we wait for our call for an appointment! Hoping to find out some more information about Brennan and if he does have any other underlying conditions related to Chiari. As for Brennan.. he is doing good. We have our good days and bad days with him. Last couple of days have been rough with him. His head still hurts along with his back. I was hoping his apppetite would change but so far nothing. I think the weather has been pretty rough on him. We continue to montior him and note changes in him. Thanks to everyone that keeps the prayers and thoughts coming our way! We appreciate them! 

Here is a pic from his 4 week post op. I think his scar looks good and healing well!

Check up

Hello everyone! Friday, February 13th was Brennans check-up from his surgery. The appt went well and they are very happy with how well the incision is healing!  During the visit they had him do a few neurological tests and checked him out. He has been complaining of his head hurting more and his lower back also. Anne, Dr. Elbabaa's nurse practitioner stated that if his back continued to hurt the next couple weeks then we would have a lower lumber MRI done. He is scheduled for a follow up MRI in July and another visit with Elbabaa too. We are just waiting on the paperwork to proceed with genetics testing to see if there are other underlying conditions with him. We will continue to monitor his Chiari and note any changes to the doctor.

Here you can see a progression of how well his incision is healing!

Busy! Busy!!

Wow! Been a while since we have made an update! Been trying to get back into the routine of things and adding a few doctor appts in between! Last Thursday we did a follow-up with Dr. Papazian to address the tube issue in his ears. During his ABR the audiologist told us his tubes were clogged and we needed to have them looked at. Needless to say while seeing Dr. Papazian he addressed that both tubes have fallen out but Brennan has alot of fluid agian in his ears. So we are scheduled for a hearing test with Dr.Lane in Monday and with those results we move to plan B which is still in the works! Friday marked two weeks since hia decompression surgery. Brennan is healing very well!  Dr. Elbabaa did an amazing job!

This week we have 3 appts for Brennan! Monday is with the ENT/Audiologist... Tuesday we see Dr. Gerwe for his 5 year check and follow up since his surgery and Friday we go back to Cardinal Glennon for  his follow-up since his surgery and talk about the next phase of dealig with Chiari! Busy! Busy!!

 In between all of this.. we did manage to celebrate his birthday!! 

Day 8 Post Op

Day 8 of post-op.... today was a good day! B had some visitors today!  Aunt Tracy, Uncle Kevin and his cousins came to visit. We also celebrated his birthday with them. They brought a yummy cake! :) Today he acutally got dressed in clothes and was up moving or should I say running around more. He knows his limits and knows what he can tolerate. We only have had pain meds 3 times today.. that is awesome! His head is starting to heal so it is itching more. Still have to use the special shampoo the doctor gave us. I know I am a day behind posting about being a week out from surgery so below are pics that mark post op day 7

His incision looks good!!!

Day 6 Post Op

Day 6 of post-op. Still trying to control his pain. Been working on getting him to move his neck more from side to side. His head favors one side. Don't want it so stiff.  February 13 we go back to the doctor for a check up. Below are some pics from his surgery. I forgot to post some of these!

Home.. so nice!!

2 full days of being home... so nice! We have been settling in with Brennan and making him comfortable as possible. He has done very well. Just trying to keep up with the pain meds and trying to get him to eat and drink more. His favorite thing to do right now is play with play dough and get on the computer to play Starfall. When his head starts to hurt he lays on the couch with Ben and Bailey.. his stuffed dogs. He also enjoys cuddling with Chris and myself. Sometimes he even will fit in a cuddle with his brother! :)  February 13 is the follow-up doctor appt. from his surgery. He will have a follow-up MRI sometime in the next couple months to make sure everything is good from surgery. We also have appt. to see our neurologist, Dr. Geller in March. Tomorrow is a big day for our champ! He turns the big 5! Crazy how time flies!!! :)

Going home!!!!

Hello all! Today is a great day! Brennan is coming home today!!!! Dr Lebowitz came in earlier to do an assessment and also took the dressing off the incision. It looks really good! He said he gave him the all clear from his end but we had to see what Dr. Elbabaa's assessment would be. After eating a good breakfast and taking a nap, Dr. Elbabaa came in and said he has done amazingly well and has taken this like a champ! Such a trooper through all of this! So.. discharge papers have been signed.. instructions given and should be leaving soon as Chris gets to the hosptial!!! :) We will be following up with Dr. Elbabaa in 2 weeks so he can check his incision. In 3 months he will have another MRI to check on the area of the brain that was decompressed. Also we will also be following up with Dr. Geller, our neurologist.