Well, it's been a very interesting week. Easton has been so irritable for the past few months which the surgery did not seem to improve,so we took him in for another MRI and it showed that he still had excess fluid in his head. This was on his birthday, so it was sad for me b/c I did not picture his first birthday being spent in the hospital.
He had surgery the next day, but this time his doctor put a shunt in. The shunt will cause some of his extra CSF to flow down to his stomach where it will be absorbed. He made an incision in his stomach and fed the shunt (tubing) up thorough his chest, over his collarbone and to the back of his head.
You can see the shunt in the picture above. It will sink further below the skin, so it won't be as noticeable. An extra 2 feet are in there, so it will grow with him.
Here is incision # 2 on his head. Honestly, it was stressful, but well worth it! Easton seems to be back to his old self. Thankfully my parents were in town for Easton's birthday, so they could help out. The only enjoyable time at the hospital was when we ate at Bobby Flay's Restaurant. It was only a short walk and it had the best sweet potato fries! 
Unfortunately, life didn't settle down for too long. Yesterday he face planted which resulted in a fat lip and a battered tooth. I was without a car, but luckily some church friends helped out (thank you Ellen & Becca). We took Easton to the dentist & he said that we'll have to watch a few months to see if his tooth turns gray. We hope not. We finished up with a visit to the pediatrician today for a neurologic exam. Thankfully that went well and showed that this surgery seemed to be a success! What a week! We're exhausted!
14 comments:
Oh my, poor Easton!! And on his birthday! So sorry to hear about all he has gone through. Hopefully he will be done for a VERY long time with hospital visits! Our good friend has had the exact same surgery about 20+ times (he has a medical condition that causes the build up of fluid that they think he got from the Small Pox vaccine he got as a nurse after 9/11) and it takes him a while to recover, so I know it's a tough procedure. Looks like Easton did well though. Sending hugs your way...
Oh wow girl. That sounds awful. You always write it with such a good attitude. I hope Easton's tooth is okay and that you have a much much much more calmer rest of your fall and winter! You deserve a break from all the crazy health issues you have had with your little guy!
Oh wow, I hope that life can settle down for you guys for a bit! I am glad your parents could be there to help out, but it had to be tough to see Easton in the hospital on his birthday!
Wow- I'm never going to complain about taking Xander to the Dentist again after hearing about your crazy week. I'm so sad Easton has already been through so much. But if he's feeling better then it was all worth it!
We were so sorry to heat that her had to have bother surgery. We are glad that it seems to help. As for the tooth. We have been there, but the horrible parents we are never took the girls to the dentist for it. Imogen's front tooth did go black, but it went white again with no problem. As long as they don't fall out you should be fine.
Poor baby! I'm so glad he seems to be back to himself. I know that was stressful & frustrating all at the same time!
Poor little guy! I'm sorry you've had to see him sad. That is wonderful that this surgery seemed to be a success. Sounds like he has been a trooper (and you too!) Don't worry- Mackenzie knocked her tooth loose last Thanksgiving and it is still there but it is starting to turn gray now. Are you guys going to try to go anywhere for Thanksgiving or Christmas? I hope school is going well for Justin.
What a week! And to add isult to injury, the poor guy and his face plant. We pray all will be well and healthy.
Jaymie!!! Just reading this blog post make me feel so bad for all the stuff you guys have gone through recently. How stressful! We need to do something fun!
Jaymie!! I'm so sorry about all that you guys have had to go through with Easton. But, at least the surgery went well. Poor guy. And, I can't believe he hurt his tooth like that. What an awful week. I wish I could help you out somehow. Thank goodness you are so close to a wonderful Children's hospital. I've assisted on a lot of VP shunts, and he should recover and be just fine. Hopefully they don't have to replace it anytime soon and will last for a few years. Good luck with everything. He's such a cutie and will definitely keep you on your toes for the rest of your life!! :) Hang in there.
Man that's a crazy week. I'm sorry. I hope things start slowing down for you over the next few months!!!
Oh Jaymie! Poor Easton!!!!! Gosh....Word does not travel fast in this family. I would have sent a little hospital care package for Easton. I am sooo glad he is OK and he is at CHOP. Let me know if you need anything!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY EASTON.
Poor little guy!! I feel so bad for him and you for having to got through it! I hope this fixed the problem and your handsome littl eman will be back to his old self!
jaymie, your cupcakes are so cute. i am so impessed at your food artistic abilities. how dod you do it?
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