God is Good All the Time

And all the time, God is good! We found out today that Dominic will have the surgery! I first received an email this morning from Dr. Chugani letting me know that based on the PET scan and EEG, Dominic is an excellent candidate for the surgery. He had a couple questions about how Dominic uses his right hand and arm, and said we'd talk later. He called me this afternoon and said that Dominic's PET scan showed little brain activity in the left hemisphere of his brain. Of what little part did show activity, that was the focus of the seizures. So, basically, Dominic's left hemisphere is dead. They will be removing the outer layer of the cerebral cortex, the portion that is causing the seizures. He was originally concerned that if Dominic was able to use his right hand well, that he would lose that functionality. However, since he doesn't, he probably lost that function awhile ago. Any progress he has made so far is probably due to the right side of the brain taking over that function. Dr. Chugani does not think that Dominic will lose any function after the surgery. The only thing he will lose is his right peripheral vision. But he said he'd be surprised if he had it now anyway.  It just goes to show how much Dominic has already overcome. The fact that he is progressing - rolling over, sitting, babbling, using his right arm - this is most likely due to the right side of the brain taking over. Amazing! What a little champ!

We feel incredibly fortunate and blessed that surgery is an option for Dominic. Mike and I have talked a lot and we both feel that God is leading us down this path. Three months ago, we prayed that surgery would never need to be an option, but we've come to the point that it is the only option to give Dominic the best shot at life. Dr. Chugani said that we will most likely have the surgery within the next month. No other testing needs to be done. He is presenting Dominic's case at the Epilepsy surgery conference on July 18th. This is just a chance for all the neurologists and neurosurgeons to get together and discuss, to make sure no one is missing anything and to see if anyone feels anything else should be done prior to surgery. We will then meet with Dr. Sood, the neurosurgeon, and discuss the surgery. He will walk us through what they will do, the risks/benefits and all the details of the surgery and recovery. Dr. Chugani made is sound like the surgery is pretty cut and dry - only a one step surgery and they have a definite source of seizures. Dominic will probably only be in the hospital for a week or so. He will recover for about a month and can then continue with therapy. He said that at a year post-surgery, Dominic should be med free! Unbelievable! This is such an answer to prayer, such an amazing gift, and completely crazy. I never thought I would be this happy and overwhelmed with joy that my 9 month old son is having part of his brain removed. But all I can think about is his chance at a "normal" life. A life without seizures, a life without meds, a happy life. Praise be to God!