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Dear Friends, All is well. After 8 years of dealing with what ifs and unknowns, the pediatric neurosurgeon has given both Allison and Lillian a clean bill of health!!! PRAISE THE LORD!!! 8 years ago, Allison had the neurosurgery to correct a tethered spine. This condition could have caused irreparable damage such as paralysis, loss of function of everything from the navel down to her toes, etc. The surgery was extremely high risk because the surgery itself could have done the same damage! We went through with it and God was good. After that surgery, we were told the percentage that the tethered spine could reoccur was about 15%. If it did, the first indication would show up in her feet. Well lately, she has been having trouble with one foot so the neurosurgeon wanted another MRI on her. Lillian was born with many of the same indicators Allison had which point to a tethered spine. She was tested and a sacral cyst was found at the base of her spine. Since her birth the neurosurgeons have been watching the growth progression of this cyst and for clear evidence of a tethered spine or not. Last year, we were told to wait one more year. At the end of that year an MRI would be done to determine if we should continue waiting or undergo the same high risk surgery that Allison had endured. Those were the two options. The year has passed. The MRI happened yesterday. To our amazement and utter surprise and inexpressible joy and gratitude, the pediatric neurosurgeon looked us square in the eye and told us he would never have to see us again!!!!!!! Allison’s MRI showed a perfect spine!!! The foot problems are growing pains or shoe issues or something minute and inconsequential!!! Lillian’s cyst has not grown at all since last year!!! While these cysts are not normal, they are common and many people are walking the earth with just such cysts. She will not have surgery of any kind for the cyst or for a tethered spine! Being the skeptical MOM, I asked questions and he finally was able to get it through to me that they are fine! To allay my fears, he told us that if we notice anything unusual or abnormal in the future, we can contact him but that he was closing their files and was not ever scheduling another appointment for them unless he heard from us! While we are grateful to Dr. Swift and his “Brain Team” and the staff at Children’s Medical Center in Dallas, we are so glad to never have to see them again!!!!! Brett likes to think of the cyst which remains on Lillian’s spine as a reminder of God’s mercy and grace and proof that HE does answer prayer!!!! HE stopped the growth of it last year because it hasn’t grown at all! Spread the news!!! |
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