1st Anniversary

Today marks Bethel's first year anniversary since her first STA-MCA surgery. Thanks Dr. Steinberg and team for saving my wife's life and for the first class care she received.

Bethel had her 6 month follow up in June and all of the test results were great! She's cleared for another 3 years.

Day 14: Discharged After Seizure

After 2 nights in the hospital, Bethel is back out again. Hopefully, no more issues from here on out because she's been through so much. The pain and nausea was unbearable for her and for me to watch. She's starting to show signs of difficulty forming words and processing thoughts at the moment. This not too uncommon for patients that undergo surgery on the left brain, so she may need speech therapy and is a temporary condition. As far as the seizure, the doctors told us it's most likely a manifestation from the surgery and fluid collection that irritated the brain. Again this is a temporary condition and the doctors do not expect her to have chronic seizures in the future. She's been prescribed anti-seizure medication, Keppra, as a precaution.

Tomorrow we have one last appointment (fingers crossed) with Teresa, Dr. Steinberg's nurse, for evaluation to travel back and to remove her staples.

Day 12: Seizure

Bethel was discharged from the hospital yesterday (11/19/11). She was doing very well and was able to walk over to Lucile Packard Children's Hospital to follow up on 6 yr old boy who underwent the same procedure. His family also brought him to see Dr. Steinberg. He also seems to be doing very well.

Around 12:30 pm today Bethel had a seizure in the apartment. This time I knew it was real because I've witnesses a former college roommate seize in front of me. Her body suddenly stiffened up while sitting on the sofa, her eyes rolled back and her mouth was wide open. Within seconds of me realizing what was going on she began to convulse and foam at the mouth. She was resting her head on the lastest incision side, so I moved her onto the ground and laid her on her right side. She became completely unconscious at this point and I could not get her to respond. I was so scared and felt so helpless. I called 911 and the paramedics arrived within 10 mins of the call. She was beginning to come out of the seizure at this point.

Upon arrival to the Stanford ER, Bethel was conscious and could say her name and age. She was very disoriented and she had difficulty with words. The resident neurosurgeon on duty had participated in her first surgery and recognized her. The doctor ordered a CT scan and it appeared normal. They did see somethings they want to discuss with Dr. Steinberg, but I was told seizures are not uncommon after brain surgery. It may take time for the brain to adjust to the increased blood flow that had been lacking for a long time.

She's spending the night for observation. Thanks to Misono (Bethel's former college roommate) and her husband Dan for visiting and feeding us. We had plans to have lunch with them, but it unfortunately turned into a hospital visit.

Day 10: Post Surgery (Left EC-IC)

Bethel is doing extremely well this time. She left the ICU and was transferred to the G1 for further recovery yesterday afternoon. She is not experiencing the sick to the stomach nausea from the first surgery, so she's been eating well. Her dressing was removed today and only has 1 maintenance IV line hooked up. This time the surgeon stapled her incision rather than with sutures. The right sutures were removed during the operation on Wednesday, so she only have the left staples to be removed. The doctors plan to discharge her tomorrow and we have 1 final appointment with Dr. Steinberg  next Wednesday before we leave for home. Below are pictures of her battle wounds against Moyamoya:

Second surgery in the ICU (11/16/11)

Dressing removed (11/18/11) revealing the closure staples

Day after first surgery on the right (11/10/11)

Dressing removed after the right surgery (11/11/11)

Day 8: Surgery #2

Bethel was nervous and scared this morning. We arrived at the Neurosurgery Check-in at 5:10 am and she was prepped and ready for the OR by 7:15 am. Her fear made it more difficult for me to say "bye" to her. Some how she was still able to make a joke...how this would be a better timed procedure if it had taken place prior to Halloween.

She has heavy bruising from all of the IV lines from last week, so they will try sticking her on the opposite side today. Her anesthesiology is increasing her anti-nausea medications for this procedure to help prevent adverse effects of anesthesia. I'll continue to update throughout the day. Thanks for everyone's prayers and thoughts.

UPDATE:
1:20 pm Dr. Steinberg came out with great news. The second surgery went just as well as the first. Her baseline cerebral flow on the left was 9 ml/min and is now 35 ml/min.

Day 6: Post Op

Bethel was discharged on Saturday (11/12) afternoon and is doing well. She's experiencing some facial swelling, incision pains, and numbness that comes and goes. The numbness was a bit concerning but it is a common symptom post surgery. She tires easily and takes naps throughout the day. Yesterday, her mom and I got her out of the apartment and took a car ride up north just to get out. Each passing day she's been eating much better.

Day 3: Recovery

Bethel is still having a hard time dealing with nausea post op. She's very sensitive to the medications to control her swelling, pain, and nausea. Her central IV in the chest was removed today and she was switched to all oral meds as well as soft foods. Otherwise, she's doing very well. I walked her 3 times today on the first floor of the hospital. Her voice is weak and her speech is a bit slurred at times. Her dressing was removed around 10:00 am which was held on by 3 staples. The surgical team did a great job suturing the incision. It is about 5 inches long.

Dr. Steinberg came by in the late afternoon for a visit. He's very optimistic with the results and believes Bethel may be discharged tomorrow if she eats well. He also suggested alternative nausea medications that may help Bethel deal with the second surgery.