I was gently remind a couple of days ago that I hadn’t exactly followed up on how Karsyn is doing after her surgery! Sorry guys! This summer has definitely been a whirlwind. One thing after another, and I can not believe it’s almost over…but let’s not dwell on the negative!
I took Karsyn to her post op appointment with Dr. Dauser today and he said she looks great. He wants to do another CT scan at the end of August just to check on the ventricles. So all in all she’s doing great. I’ve been asked several times (in several different ways) why exactly she needed this surgery. The truth is, this is our reality. With a shunt comes the possibility of shunt revisions. The shunt can become clogged, as it had with Karysn this time, it can become too small as she grows, and it can simply malfunction. A couple of things can happen with Karsyn, she could be shunt dependent her entire life meaning she will always need the shunt to drain the excess fluid. Or the excess fluid in her brain could begin to drain on it’s own. If it begins to drain on it’s own it’s quite possible the shunt could malfunction and we would just never know it because she no longer needs it. If she’s shunt dependent, the chance of more shunt revisions in the future is a big one.
I’ll admit I was pretty bummed when I found out she was going to have surgery. She had been doing so well, and honestly I think I always just assumed we wouldn’t need any revisions/surgeries. Needless to say my bubble was burst! However, in the midst of my own personal little pity party God reminded me he was in control and humbled me on several occasions. As we were being admitted into our room after her surgery, the nurse was going through the usual slew of questions and she gave a brief review of Karsyn’s history. She said wait a minute, she’s a 24 week preemie? And she doesn’t have any other issues?
This was the second time in the last month I had heard this comment. It was if God was reminding me that yes this surgery was inconvenient and not what I had planned, and no it’s never fun to watch your child go through anything like this, BUT we’ve come so far. And given her history and the circumstances surrounding her birth the fact that her list of diagnosis is small is inothing short of a miracle. I often times feel overwhelmed with the number of doctor appointments we sometime have…..but we don’t see a cardiologist, we don’t see a renal specialist, no pulmonologist, she isn’t on oxygen, doesn’t have an NG tube or a G button, I could go on forever. I was once again reminded just how much I have to be thankful for. I sat there ashamed of myself for even considering a pity party. I’m so thankful that I get to hold my daughter in a hospital room at 3 in the morning because she’s too busy ripping her bandage off her head to sleep. I’m thankful that I can’t sleep because she is continually practicing her “B” words…..bye bye, bady, baby, buhh, buhh…..I’m am so thankful for this miracle God has given me. And while I can’t promise I won’t get off track and begin my pity party ever again, I do pray that God continues to remind me ever so gently just how fortunate I am!
SO…how is Karsyn? She’s doing great! Never missed a beat! Is just as dramatic and talkative as ever! And is a lucky little girl to have so many people checking up on her and getting on to her momma when she forgets to update her followers!!!
