Post-surgery update

The surgery went well this morning.  It started before 10:30 am and she was done by around noon.  Our surgeon came by and told us things went well during the operation and I appreciate that they have the surgeon meet with us after procedures like this.

After the surgery Brooklyn recovered in a holding area.  The nurses were so nice and competent, as they seem to consistently be here at this wonderful facility.  Brooklyn was then transported back to our room in the same crib where she sleeps in her room.

It was nice to have some time to talk with Jenny during the surgery.  We've been dealing with a lot during the past little while and she has been so strong and faithful.  I admire her courage and diligence in caring for Brooklyn and the rest of our family during this time of adjustment.

Here are some pictures of Brooklyn post-surgery:

The basic idea, as I understand it, is as follows:

1. The fluid that is outside the brain but to the side of the skull is being drained by one of the external drains.  This is turned on to the "faster" setting because the first goal is to remove that fluid so as to allow the brain to occupy that space.

2. The fluid inside the brain is being drained by the other external drain.  This is turned to the "slower" setting.  The settings are determined by how much pressure is required to push fluid out (i.e., the drain in #1 is set at a lower pressure threshold).

3. Once the first set of fluid (outside the brain but inside the skull) is drained, they will increase the flow for the second drain.

4. We'll get a MRI in the morning to see how much fluid has drained.  After a week or so the neurosurgeon teams will make a decision on how to treat it moving forward (e.g., with a new shunt or with an alternative treatment).