Wednesday, June 24, 2009

June 24th

Well we are back at home and all is well. Matt had the radiation surgery today. Poor baby, when they were trying to start the IV they had to stick him 5 or 6 times. Finally, they got the IV started and things got better. Matt was very nervous about having the halo put on this morning, of course who wouldn't be nervous having 4 screws put into your skull. Anyway, they got all of that done and he went in for a CT scan and to have an angiogram done. The neurosurgeon that has been working with Matt came out and told me that the AVM had grown a little bit, but that he expected it to do that. The AVM went from about 1cm to 2cm. He told me that it was very treatable and that the radiosurgey was a go for today.

Matt went to recovery and then back to the floor. We waited for the doctors to form their plan and then at 2:00 they took him to do the actual radiation treatment. They give the radiation in 5 doses, and it took about 30 minutes. After that they took the halo off and we were on our way back up to the floor for them to discharge him. The radiology oncologist came out and talked to me and said that all had gone well and that now we are in the waiting part of the treatment. It will take a year or so before they can tell if the radiation surgery worked or not. What they are hoping for is that the radiation will cause the blood vessels that are feeding the AVM will get scar tissue on them and that they will essentially die. They will keep an eye on him for the next couple of years to make sure that all is still going well and that the AVM is not growing anymore. The oncology doctor told me that the way that the AVM is positioned that it had actually moved the good brain tissue out of the way and gave them a much better line of fire for the radiation. By this happening there is less a chance for the radiation to damage the good brain tissue. Once again we are seeing how awesome our God is and that He is still in control of this situtation.

We have been so blessed by having great doctors, but we also know that our Lord is the one that is giving those doctors the skills and know how to do what they are doing. I am so happy to be writing this and so happy to be telling you about how wonderful Matt is doing. We came home and Matt helped unload the car and carry stuff in and he was back to doing his normal stuff as soon as we got home. He told me that he was not going to let a little bit of pain from the screws in his head stop him from carrying on with his life. Matt just got finished eating a big bowl of chili, so we know all is well!!! Please continue to pray for Matt and that over the next year that God will continue to do the good work that He started. We are looking forward to the day when they look at us and tell us that the AVM is dead and not drawing blood to it anymore. Thank you for all your prayers, love and support it has been a long year and we are so hopeful about what the future holds for us and all the glory and thanks go to the wonderful God that we love and serve.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

So very glad that you are home and doing so very well. We love you all and will be praying for you. See you soon. Aunt Mary & Uncle Ronnie

Anonymous said...

You are thanking God mostly, me too.
Doctors and people are essential, but we have to Thank God for all things.

I'm glad to hear Matt came through Radiation well.

I have GK the 22 of July. I'm praying everyday for a great outcome.

Peace,
Ameenah