Moments after I posted the last blog entry I returned to the PICU and found we had our answer. Gabrielle had 3 seizures in the time I was gone and has had 11 more since then. The seizures originated from the temporal and parietal lobes. All of the doctors, without reservation, have recommended functional hemispherectomy. Gabrielle will go down to the OR about 11am this morning to have the right hemisphere of her brain disconnected from the remaining structures. The doctors estimate it will be a 4-8 hour surgery. They predict about a 90% likelihood that she will be seizure free. The surgery will affect the motor and sensory function of the left side of the body and will also cause loss of half of the visual field in each eye. It can cause hydrocephalus which would require the placement of a shunt so we will be praying Gabrielle does not experience this complication.
The peace we have going into this surgery is amazing. God has faithfully answered our prayers and has lead us through this entire process. We know without a doubt that this is God’s will. Gabrielle was supposed to have the final stage of her surgery on Monday. It was rescheduled for today so we could monitor the spiking for a couple more days. Monday we hadn’t seen any seizures so we would have closed her without further resection. Can you imagine the devestation we would have experienced if the seizures had returned days after surgery was complete? I am so thankful that God has orchestrated all of this and that He continues to lead us through this storm.
I will post with an update later today.
Love,
Kelly
I’m so glad that you feel clear about this. We’ll be prayig for o complications ad that you ca all go home soon!
Margaret
HEY KELLY!
I NEVER THOUGHT THAT I WOULD FIND MYSELF TELLING ANOTHER HUMAN BEING THAT I WAS GLAD THAT THEIR CHILD HAD A SEIZURE, BUT I AM SO THANKFUL THAT GABRIELLE SEIZED AND SEIZED MORE THAN JUST ONCE TO LET ALL OF YOU KNOW THE NEED FOR MORE INTERVENTION! I WAS SO WORRIED THAT YOU WOULD NO SOONER GET HOME AND HAVE TO WALK DOWN THIS ROAD AGAIN. I PRAY THAT YOUR MINDS AND LIVES ARE FINALLY AT PEACE AND WISH GABBY A SMOOTH ROAD TO RECOVERY!
IF THERE IS ANYTHING THAT YOU NEED UPON YOUR RETURN HOME, I AM ONLY A FEW MILES AWAY! OUR PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU.
JULIA
Kelly and Duff,
You are simply amazing people and your faith and trust in the Lord is an inspiration to all! It is answer to prayer that this decision became so very clear. We are praying for you and Gabrielle all the time. I’m so happy for you that you are at peace with this surgery, knowing it is the best for Gabrielle.
Love and Hugs,
Anne
Hi Duff and Kelly
Thinking about you all so much today. What a long day today must have been for you. We hope the surgery went well and that Gabrielle is recovering now.
Love The Bates