Long term VP shunt placement was discussed, Dad's idea of prepping the lump area under sterile technique & drawing off fluid was shot down, & worried parents left the office wondering how much longer before the dang thing either pops from being too full of shunted CSF or when it becomes time for the VP.
We consulted our Bishop last evening, who came through with more wisdom & faith based stories that related to our situation. By the power of the Priesthood which we (Bishop & I) hold, we laid our hands upon baby Bella's head, anointed her with consecrated oil & gave her a blessing of health. No this isn't the first one & definitely will not be the last, but lately we have been praying more fervently for answers, for solutions... the typical "why our family & why more surgery?" & "did we not make the right choice 3 weeks ago by choosing a subgaleal(temporary) shunt?" and "what else are we to learn from this trial? Why Bella?"
The blessing was given & we seemed to key in on the words that through Bella her doctors, surgeons, & those who care for her medically will be inspired by the Holy Ghost to know what's the best option for her. We felt at peace, the Bishop helped to increase our faith by sharing a true story of placing the right surgeon on the team to perform surgery on a prophet's ailing heart. He encouraged us to stay positive, even to do things to remain on the positive side of as many things as we could.
And wouldn't you know it? Guess who called Becky today? Bella's neurosurgeon. She had pondered & thought of Bella most of the night & was even prompted to call a pediatric neurosurgeon colleague of gets who resides/works in New York. They discussed Bella's case in its entirety & both concurred it's not the best time to place a VP shunt, but rather remove the two subgaleal shunts that are in her head. To give Bella another chance to relearn the pathways to absorb the excess CSF & rid her of the stagnant pocket of CSF that is causing the tennis ball-sized lump on her head. When you ask? Well, as early as Monday, yep the day after Mother's day. The day after her scheduled church blessing day.
A coincidence? Or do you believe as we do that part of the answer to our prayers & the realization of the blessing, are coming to pass through the kind-heartedness & thoughtfulness & many hours of pondering of Bella's neurosurgeon-as if Heavenly Father is directing/guiding her. We know that man does not have all knowledge & where his (or her) knowledge ends, Heavenly Father's knowledge continues on forever & ever.
So we are not begging, because we know you already do it, but just in case, here's a little reminder: Please, please send more prayers to Heavenly Father on behalf of this little miracle baby. We know you've already blessed us so much from your continual prayers & support, but please be specific in regards that she can tolerate being without the shunts for good-what a huge relief that would be for all of us. We know that God heals through His son, Jesus Christ, & we also know that through His holy spirit He can guide & inspire the thoughts/intents/actions of anyone-including the right surgeon, the right team, & the loving parents to make the right decisions regarding this little miracle.
We love you all & please do not take offense if we haven't called, have forgotten a birthday, or something else important in your life-because as you know ours has been a very stressful, ulcer-creating, yet faith-promoting roller coaster ride & we are still on it-as if we have been on it continuously with no potty breaks & feeling a bit like if we had anything in our guts we would have puked it out a few tight-cornered, upside down, curling twisty-loops ago!
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