Neurosurgery Consult

On January 21^st, when I was 28 weeks along, we met with our Family Coordinator, who helps us communicate with everyone we need to for Emily’s care and supports us with any questions and concerns we have, and the neurosurgeon who will be performing the VP shunt surgery.  My mother-in-law, Lois, flew down to go to the consult with us.  We brought a huge list of questions with us and they could not have been more patient and understanding with answering each and every question.  We learned more about how the surgery and shunt work, what the shunt looks like, when the surgery will take place, how her stay in the NICU will be to recover.  This shunt will save her life but it has its problems.  Shunts malfunction and can get infected, and Emily will outgrow it eventually.  When this will happen is unknown, but our neurosurgeon says it will happen.  So Emily will have multiple shunt revisions over the course of her life.  Infections usually occur in the first 1-3 months and malfunctions can happen anytime.  We will have to learn the signs of shunt failure and infection so we can intervene quickly.  

An MRI will be taken after Emily is born to get a baseline of her ventricles, then another will be taken after the surgery to make sure the shunt is inserted and working correctly.  Emily will then have follow-up MRIs to monitor how well the fluid is draining and how her brain “bounces” back.

We also toured the birthing center, where I will have the C-section, and the NICU.  It was a relief to know what to expect and get to see these places beforehand.

I feel so lucky to have our baby at Duke Hospital where she will be well taken care of, and blessed to have our Family Coordinator and Neurosurgeon who are both so compassionate, sweet and supportive.  I feel confident that Emily will be in good hands with the Neurosurgeon we have. 

 

A while back, I saw a picture of a baby wearing a onesie that said “Shunt Happens!” We might have to make this our motto!