Okay, so I went kicking and screaming, but I went. Today we took Bradley to San Diego for his last doctor appointment with the Neurosurgeon. He'll have to go back next year, but we're going to go ahead and transfer everything to closer to us. UCLA is not around the corner...but it's not a twelve hour day either. We have been climbing each mountain and trudging through every valley as it appears before us, moving from one feeling of crisis to another. We managed to get through the Incisional Hernia all the while thinking about the coming MRI of Bradley's brain. We know that cyst is sitting there in the center of his brain, and we can't see it...but we know it's there. It's felt like a time bomb, but we were also able to push the worry to the back of OUR brains for the most part. This last week has not been easy as we tried not to let the bigger worry turn to immobilizing fear. If I had known this past year what I learned today, I am not sure I would have caught the few hours of sleep that I managed throughout the year. Turns out, if the cyst presses on the Focal plate in his brain then he doesn't go blind; in fact, the pathways will narrow causing the fluid to build up and cause Hydrocephalus (swelling of his brain). That happens then they have to drain the cyst, not an easy task due to the placement of the cyst. A huge rush of nerves followed this information, there had been so many things on top of us that this information was almost enough to make me stop breathing today.
So this is what we learned today. Bradley's cyst is the same size if not a little bit smaller. Rather than growing, the cyst looks to actually be a little bit smaller. The Neurosurgeon said that this is actually a rare thing. We are thrilled! Despite his crappy bedside manner, the Neurosurgeon saw Bradley today. With that smile that warms you through and through, my charming son signed "Thank you" once when I asked him too, and once right after I gave up my thanks. It charmed the doctor because he actually smiled at Bradley. The two swapped high fives and then knuckles. We left knowing that we look for lethargy or vomiting (gagging and retching for Bradley) to let us know if something is changing in him. We all feel pretty confident that all will be well. The sleepless nights, the worry, the fear...it all eased today. As is the way with things, you have to wait for something to happen one way or another - for us - the other shoe decided to drop again, but it did softly, and in a way that allows for Bradley to put some solid effort into being a little boy, in just growing up for awhile. We can hope that with some more time he will develop and mature in a way that will lead to the removal of his button, but for now - we know that right now, he's as healthy as he can be and that's really all we can hope for ever.
We're exhausted, but our little guy is healthy and happy! It's a good day! Thank you God for Blessing this Family, this special little boy, and all those that truly love our little guy!
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