This Wednesday, March 2, Jacob will be going back to the hospital to have a shunt placed in his brain to drain excess spinal fluid. In his last surgery the doctor had to open the ventricle, where spinal fluid is produced, and warned us that there would be a 50/50 chance that Jacob's brain would not be able to absorb the extra fluid and that he would need a shunt to help drain the excess spinal fluid into his stomach.
The shunt placement is only 40 minutes, but it does require intubation, a head frame for placement and will result in a full surgery and overnight hospital stay. Thankfully his mom was already planning to come to town for the week and will be here to help with the kids while we are away for a night.
As I stated a week ago, Jacob has been suffering from deficits over the last few weeks. His right side, especially his hand, arm and leg are becoming very heavy and unresponsive and he continues to have difficulty producing language. We had planned to take our kids to Disneyland, already postponing that vacation twice, and were mercifully still able to go last week. The steroid and a motorized cart helped Jake make it through our time there and he was able to enjoy the trip and make some cherished memories with our kids.
This has been a difficult month for Jacob. After each of his previous surgeries, he would have a recovery period but would then start to improve and get back to his normal self. The surgery in January has not gone that way. In fact, he seemed to be at his best immediately after surgery and then has been slowly declining in his abilities for the last four weeks following. Jacob is a man who is very present minded and his feelings follow his present condition. So the last few weeks have been difficult for him in a way he hasn't experienced to this point.
We are hopeful that the shunt will alleviate some of these symptoms and that Jake will again be able to feel better. We are so grateful for your prayers and would appreciate you praying for him in this next procedure and for a better recovery afterward.
10 comments:
I'm with you in prayer, Jake! Giving you, Jordan, and children loves and hugs, Friend! Be strong, Brother. Hugs and hang tough! Sis. Reed
Thinking and praying for you guys.
Love and prayers to you and Jacob!
My love to you and your family. I add my prayers to yours and those of your family. Forever, Connie
The Washington DC temple reopens Tuesday. We will have Jacob name on the prayer roll. We never stop praying for him.
Your wish is my command��
Thanks for the post, Jord. As always, your posts are very thorough and detailed, and provide such useful information. We are praying for Jake and you and the kids, and fasting as well. It is an interesting comment about Jake being present-minded. I believe that most of us are like that. We love Jake, you, and the kids, and our thoughts and prayers are always with you.
vfr
Thinking and praying for you guys today.
We love you guys Jordan! Thanks for keeping us updated. You are in our thoughts & prayers!
We love you Jordan and your darling family! We pray for Jake everyday and hope he does recover well!
Denise
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