We headed into the city on Wednesday morning, not knowing if Summer would receive her scan because she was nursing a cold... We checked in and the nurse determined that her lungs were nice and clear so they would proceed.
Summer chose orange scent for the mask and after all the preparation, paper work and a little waiting, we headed into the room where they put her to sleep with some gas. She was a little scared and fought the mask a bit, which made us feel really aweful... poor kid goes through so much.
Once she was asleep they inserted an IV and put her under a general anesthetic. Don and I headed to the cafeteria for a coffee while we waited the hour. My friend Heather came down from her office and joined us and we also had lunch with her later.
At 2:30 we met with Dr. Dirks and received the scan results. Summer's ventricles have not changed size since her CT in June. Good news. He also said that the shunt is still not placed well and that some Neurosurgeons would consider replacing it. However, that is not without risk: 5% infection rate, risk of a bleed, etc.
Since Summer is not showing any sypmtoms, we all agreed that we should watch and wait. He reminded us to be diligent about any headaches and to not dismiss any symptoms. We don't know how long Summer's shunt has not been working well, and symptoms can have a slow or quick onset.
Summer will have another MRI in one year. Dr. Dirks will allow us to have the scan performed in North Bay. I am really pleased about that.
We left the hospital at 3pm, and got to enjoy rush hour traffic - making the long day just a little bit longer.
Summer in her hospital gown
What a great toy to have in the waiting room! Squirt got his scan done too!
Groggy Girl in Recovery
*Just a side note... it feels kind of funny snapping photos in a hospital. One of the nurses in MRI recognized us from when Summer had her CT scan in June. I think either because we were taking pictures then as well, or maybe it was because Summer had the same stuffie 'squirt' with her.
It must be a relief knowing that the ventricles remain unchanged! I am sure it doesn't take all your worries away - but at least it is a step in the right direction. Summer and Squirt are way too cute - Summer looks fantastic :)
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