We visited the University of Chicago for the 3rd time and visited with Dr. Ebersole. I was told by an unbiased source that he is one of the top Drs. in the country dealing with Epilepsy. The plan for Stacy at this point, is 2 surgeries. The first surgery would remove a small portion of her skull and place probes into a diseased portion of her brain. Then they would put her into a private room to do a video EEG where they remove her epilepsy medication slowly until she has a seizure. By this test they will be able to isolate good from bad brain tissue. She would then be taken back to surgery to remove the bad tissue. Hopefully this will stop her seizures and we could stop her medication.
They also noticed several other diseased areas of the brain from the MRI but nothing that needed anything done at this time. They noticed that the pineal gland had some calcification which may not be a big deal, but they would like to see any previous MRI's she's had before.
This could change our lives as she could eventually drive again someday.
Obviously we are very scared about the process and at some point will have to make a decision to do this or not.
I will update again after next Friday's visit with the neurosurgeon.
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Bye Mom. I love you. You were my rock during Stacy's hospitalization.
My Mom - Click picture for an amazing blog
Bye Mom. I love you. You were my rock during Stacy's hospitalization.
Jeff Bowman - Ryan's previous brother-in-law
Stacy Ritenour's History
Stacy was admitted to our local hospital 12/2003 with headaches. While during a CT scan, she became unresponsive. The CT showed a brain tumor. That evening the neurosurgeon drilled a hole in her head to reduce extreme fluid pressure (hydrocephalus, once called water on the brain). Then she woke up and was doing very well. The neurosurgeon said that a cyst was blocking her 3rd ventricle which drains Cerebrospinal fluid from the brain into the spine.
The next day the neurosurgeon removed the cyst and we thought that she would be home in a week. Unfortunately that less than 1% chance of complications got us and she got bacterial spinal meningitis from the surgery. This can cause anything from no problems to death. Stacy ended up with a limited short-term memory, seizures, tremors, and because of her seizure medication, extreme tiredness.
She spent 7 months in a Rehab facility in southern Illinois, but when returning home, would just stay in bed unless told otherwise. My income does not allow us to hire anyone to help her but is too high to receive government help.
With full-blown seizures continuing for the last 4 years, I decided to look for something better for her and found Dr. Ebersole at the University of Chicago. He is highly trained in epilepsy and has worked at the National Institute of Health and the Yale Epilepsy clinic before starting the Epilepsy clinic at the University of Chicago. Her neurosurgeon also has worked for the NIH and has specialties in surgery for epilepsy and Parkinsons disease.
Stacy and I have 4 children from 9-17 and Anthony, our 17 year old had brain cancer at 8 years old. His tumor (one of the worst cancers) was removed at the local hospital and then we followed up with Chemo and radiation at the University of Michigan. After almost dying from pneumonia, they stopped the chemo and decided to see what happens from then. He is now 8.5 years in remission and will be considered cured in 1 more year. He is currently in good health although because of the radiation and chemo, has stopped growing at 5 foot tall. However we are just glad he is alive as survival rates from his cancer is only 30% at best.
The next day the neurosurgeon removed the cyst and we thought that she would be home in a week. Unfortunately that less than 1% chance of complications got us and she got bacterial spinal meningitis from the surgery. This can cause anything from no problems to death. Stacy ended up with a limited short-term memory, seizures, tremors, and because of her seizure medication, extreme tiredness.
She spent 7 months in a Rehab facility in southern Illinois, but when returning home, would just stay in bed unless told otherwise. My income does not allow us to hire anyone to help her but is too high to receive government help.
With full-blown seizures continuing for the last 4 years, I decided to look for something better for her and found Dr. Ebersole at the University of Chicago. He is highly trained in epilepsy and has worked at the National Institute of Health and the Yale Epilepsy clinic before starting the Epilepsy clinic at the University of Chicago. Her neurosurgeon also has worked for the NIH and has specialties in surgery for epilepsy and Parkinsons disease.
Stacy and I have 4 children from 9-17 and Anthony, our 17 year old had brain cancer at 8 years old. His tumor (one of the worst cancers) was removed at the local hospital and then we followed up with Chemo and radiation at the University of Michigan. After almost dying from pneumonia, they stopped the chemo and decided to see what happens from then. He is now 8.5 years in remission and will be considered cured in 1 more year. He is currently in good health although because of the radiation and chemo, has stopped growing at 5 foot tall. However we are just glad he is alive as survival rates from his cancer is only 30% at best.
4 comments:
I'm honored to be post #1. You know I'm behind you 100%. I'm glad we know about blogging now. It's a tremendously wonderful way to keep family/friends informed and support YOU! I've already been praying about this decision before you and I will continue. Love you.
Good luck at the neurosurgeon!! I hope you get some good news. Please update as soon as you are able to.
tisha
Well, I am so glad for this blog. I hope things go well enough that this won't get used as much as Jeff's did. Regardless we will pray for her and you and the kids always.
Much love, Mom and Rex
Thanks for writing this.
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