Mom: "After installing the shunt, Noah developed some fluid on the left side of his head and it had to be aspirated, although the shunt is working. There were several incisions made to guide the drain for the sh
unt from his brain down to his stomach. The good news is that Dr. Tabrizi checked his CT scans this morning and there was no extra fluid inside or outside of the bone flap. 3 brain surgeries in 3 and a half months is a lot for anyone; Noah has handled it like a champ and we are so proud of him. Today, his spirits are good, although we are all really anxious to get home. It looks like the earliest we can go home is Monday, because Dr. Tabrizi wants to monitor him for a couple more days. All his sutures and staples will come out in a timely manner, and he will be as beautiful as ever!GO NOAH GO!"
Update Page
- LOVE
- As most of you already know, on July 28 my brother had an Arterio-Venous Malformation (AVM) which ruptured in his brain and had to undergo emergency brain surgery to remove it. We've created this website to give everyone brief updates on his status because it has been difficult to keep everyone up-to-date. There aren't words to describe the gratitude we feel for the outcry of support and love that has been shown for Noah. We also appreciate all of the positive energy and prayer that has been directed his way -- and truly believe it is helping him.
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Post-Op
Dr. Tabrizi just came out and said that Noah's surgery was successful, went well, and there were no issues. Apparently, the first thing Noah asked about when he woke was, of course, whether he'd need a catheter - sounds like Noah is himself again!
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Wednesday Night
Noah's operation to install his cerebral shunt will be tomorrow morning at 8:30am PT.
The operation is anticipated to last approximately 1 hour and he will be transferred to the ICU again a couple hours thereafter. He will probably spend one night in the ICU and then transfer again to Neuro DOU.
We appreciate everyone's thoughts and prayers yet again. Go Noah go.
The operation is anticipated to last approximately 1 hour and he will be transferred to the ICU again a couple hours thereafter. He will probably spend one night in the ICU and then transfer again to Neuro DOU.
We appreciate everyone's thoughts and prayers yet again. Go Noah go.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Tuesday Night Update
Well -- the great news is that Noah's surgery to reinstall and refasten his skull using a titanium plate and titanium screws was successful. Noah is once again hard-headed.
Unfortunately, the CSF (Cerebrospinal Fluid) has not been draining at the desired rate and has begun to accumulate -- leading to significant swelling on the left side of Noah's head.
Following today's examination, Dr. Tabrizi believes that Noah is going to need to undergo surgery again this Thursday to install a cerebral shunt.
Tomorrow, Noah will take another catscan, and Dr. Tabrizi will decide whether to indeed operate following his review of the results. We hope that Noah's brain will begin to assimilate the fluid tonight, but are prepared for whatever the next few days have in store.
It is now looking like Noah will be in the hospital until at least this Saturday, the 14th. We remain, however, very positive-- and appreciate everyone's support.
Unfortunately, the CSF (Cerebrospinal Fluid) has not been draining at the desired rate and has begun to accumulate -- leading to significant swelling on the left side of Noah's head.
Following today's examination, Dr. Tabrizi believes that Noah is going to need to undergo surgery again this Thursday to install a cerebral shunt.
Tomorrow, Noah will take another catscan, and Dr. Tabrizi will decide whether to indeed operate following his review of the results. We hope that Noah's brain will begin to assimilate the fluid tonight, but are prepared for whatever the next few days have in store.
It is now looking like Noah will be in the hospital until at least this Saturday, the 14th. We remain, however, very positive-- and appreciate everyone's support.
Friday, November 6, 2009
Following Morning
Noah is doing great and is in good spirits. Catheter notwithstanding.
The surgery apparently went as well as it could have gone.
Later today, as soon as a private room opens up, Noah will be transferred out of the ICU and into a normal room. The doctor seems to think Noah will be discharged either Sunday or Monday. Noah's not allowed to use his cell phone in the ICU, but will call everyone back as soon as he gets out. Go Noah Go.
The surgery apparently went as well as it could have gone.
Later today, as soon as a private room opens up, Noah will be transferred out of the ICU and into a normal room. The doctor seems to think Noah will be discharged either Sunday or Monday. Noah's not allowed to use his cell phone in the ICU, but will call everyone back as soon as he gets out. Go Noah Go.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Post-Surgery Update
The anesthesiologist and the surgeon just came out and said the surgery went well. We haven't seen Noah yet, but apparently things went as well as they could have.
No word yet on whether a shunt will be necessary - we've been informed that it will take up to 3 months to make that decision. For the next two to three days Noah will have a drain that empties excess CFS (cerebro spinal fluid). Thanks to everyone for their prayers and thoughts. We will update this site again tonight after we see Noah.
No word yet on whether a shunt will be necessary - we've been informed that it will take up to 3 months to make that decision. For the next two to three days Noah will have a drain that empties excess CFS (cerebro spinal fluid). Thanks to everyone for their prayers and thoughts. We will update this site again tonight after we see Noah.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
"Prepare for the Worst, Hope for the Best" ?
Tomorrow morning Noah is getting his bone flap (left side of his skull) put back in. In certain ways, this is only the beginning-- we still have cognitive work to do. In other ways, we hope for closure-- from a physiological perspective. Despite the reassurances that this surgery is simple compared to what we've already been through, tomorrow my brother goes into brain surgery.
"Prepare for the worst, hope for the best"
That's what multiple nurses told me from the period from July 28 until Noah came out of his coma on August 6...the 10 worst days of my life (and I suspect those of my entire family). As is the case with most pivotal moments in my life, Noah on the other hand, slept through the entire ordeal.
It's a strange feeling to know the exact worst moment of your life and the exact best moment of your life. For me, the identification of each is now simple -- and that fact alone has unequivocally changed my life. How insignificant my pre-rupture priorities now seem.
I think as a result of liability, nurses and others are forced to paint a cautious and often pessimistic picture for you when you're in a life-threatening situation. False hope can be a dangerous thing for those at the furthest reaches of emotional volatility and financial burden. "Prepare for the worst, hope for the best."
As I promised in a previous post, I will soon detail all of the miracles: the predictions and warnings that proved false. But it's not time yet to count blessings; we have to make it through tomorrow.
So one more time, we ask for your prayers; your positivity; your light.
Right after Noah's rupture 3 months ago, when I was warned of the inevitable mental "deficiencies" Noah would have as a result of the removal of the healthy brain tissue of his lower-left occipital lobe -- I kept trying to tell myself and others that until someone told me that it was absolutely impossible, I believed that Noah would walk out of the hospital and make a full recovery. Well, on Saturday, August 22nd -- 25 days after Noah's rupture, he walked out of St. Jude's medical center, got in a car with my parents and drove home.
So tomorrow, rather than ask you to "prepare for the worst and hope for the best;" we ask that you believe that Noah can make it through once again -- and fight with us until that happens.
"Prepare for the worst, hope for the best"
That's what multiple nurses told me from the period from July 28 until Noah came out of his coma on August 6...the 10 worst days of my life (and I suspect those of my entire family). As is the case with most pivotal moments in my life, Noah on the other hand, slept through the entire ordeal.
It's a strange feeling to know the exact worst moment of your life and the exact best moment of your life. For me, the identification of each is now simple -- and that fact alone has unequivocally changed my life. How insignificant my pre-rupture priorities now seem.
I think as a result of liability, nurses and others are forced to paint a cautious and often pessimistic picture for you when you're in a life-threatening situation. False hope can be a dangerous thing for those at the furthest reaches of emotional volatility and financial burden. "Prepare for the worst, hope for the best."
As I promised in a previous post, I will soon detail all of the miracles: the predictions and warnings that proved false. But it's not time yet to count blessings; we have to make it through tomorrow.
So one more time, we ask for your prayers; your positivity; your light.
Right after Noah's rupture 3 months ago, when I was warned of the inevitable mental "deficiencies" Noah would have as a result of the removal of the healthy brain tissue of his lower-left occipital lobe -- I kept trying to tell myself and others that until someone told me that it was absolutely impossible, I believed that Noah would walk out of the hospital and make a full recovery. Well, on Saturday, August 22nd -- 25 days after Noah's rupture, he walked out of St. Jude's medical center, got in a car with my parents and drove home.
So tomorrow, rather than ask you to "prepare for the worst and hope for the best;" we ask that you believe that Noah can make it through once again -- and fight with us until that happens.
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