Haley and I traveled to Maryland again today for her post op appointment. This was our third trip in the past month. Dr. Henderson was pleased with her incision--it is healing well. He was also pleased that she has still not fainted since the shunt revision surgery. (Aren't we all?)
Anyway, we talked about her incessant pain, and he looked at the MRI of her low back that she had taken last month. This, along with the results of her urodynamics studies (to measure her bladder function) and her physical exam, led him to diagnose her with tethered cord. He explained that the spinal cord is held in place by a thin band of tissue, called the filum. In EDS patients, though, it is very thick and fibrous and can pull the spinal cord down, causing these type of symptoms (pain, urinary difficulties). I commented that I thought it was ironic that EDS patients who have defective collagen can have too much in their filums. He agreed that it seems counter intuitive.
He went on to explain the risks and benefits of the surgery and explained, in detail, how he would perform the surgery. He has done hundreds of these surgeries and has had very few complications. Of course, ultimately, we trust in God for the outcome (and Dr. H does, too--he prays with us before every surgery!)
As part of his exam, he pulled Haley's leg up a bit, and she let out a yell. He also poked her with a safety pin and she cannot feel much in her legs. She is in constant pain, and I, for one, am so hopeful that this surgery will greatly decrease her daily pain. He said that most people feel a good bit of relief immediately, but that more benefit can come for up to a year after.
We don't know the exact date yet, but will let you all know when it will be. Yesterday at church, many folks were saying how happy they were to hear that the fainting had stopped. They said they will continue to pray, and I asked many people to pray specifically for this visit we had today. I asked that they pray that Dr. Henderson would see the need for this surgery and agree to do it. Well, that it exactly what happened. Thank you and thank God!!
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