3rd Surgery

Hello everyone-

Here we are again, another day in Children's Hospital.  Don't get me wrong, I love that we have this place but I hate that I live here.

I don't know where I should begin.  I guess that's the harder part of writing email updates to everyone.  You just don't want to sound so depressing but you almost feel like that's all you really have to say sometimes.  So my apologies first,  I am sorry if this sounds really depressing.

• We continue to see seizures and spams.
• Owen has a fever for unknown reasons.
• We again are faced with our last surgical option, next week, Owen will have an anatomical hemispherectomy on August 22.

An anatomical surgery is different from his last two functional surgeries. They will be literally removing half his brain from his skull. So I know your next question is going to be...How does that affect Owen?  Fortunately, the brain is amazing and can actually overcome this. Many people who have the surgery turn out just fine. There is a recent story about a man who went to see his doctor for headaches.  The doctor completed an MRI and found that fluid had replaced almost his entire brain, he is walking, talking and has a family.

So Owen can overcome a lot. I am still  hopeful that Owen is going to do amazing things in the future. He is just going to half his brain tied behind his back.  If we can get the seizures under control Owen can be a kid and I can erase this year from my memory; like a bad dream.

Mike and I have started to get to know the people on the floor and in the halls, it's bad when the hospital coffee shop knows who you are and what you drink! We have got to get out of here.

On a positive note, Owen will be turning one on the 26th. Unfortunately he will be celebrating it here. Here are a few other positives:

• Owen is enjoying cuddling with Mike and I.
• Enjoyed pudding for the first time!
• Has been out of the room a couple times.
• Today Owen had amazing day.  He was awake and a wonderfully little boy. We needed that.
• He is getting much needed rest.

Well there's the good the bad and the ugly as most everyone likes to say.  I pray everyday that there is good news. But I am not giving up on Owen.  As always, thank your for your support, visits, meals and kind words. Each and everyone of your are blessing that have supported us so much.  I don't think we can ever say thank you enough.

Hugs from all of us here at Children's.
Val, Mike and Owen