Monday, December 05, 2005

Only Skin Deep

We went to see a new specialist today, an interventional radiologist, Dr. Sally Mitchell. We were referred to her in order to rule out or confirm a related syndrome to Sturge-Weber, Klippel Trenaunay Syndrome. Dr. Mitchell went over Judah's medical history, took some pictures and ordered an MRI scan of his body from the neck down in order to check for possible vascular abnormalities underlying the surface of Judah's skin. This is one instance where it would be a positive thing to say it runs only skin deep! She looked over the MRI of his head from September and gave a good report in terms of there being no vascular abnormalities there. THANK YOU, LORD!

We are going ahead with these tests to help us and any medical personnel involved in Judah's care to best care for him and to help us plan for what we may be facing in the future. If vascular abnormalities exist below the skin, they can potentially cause bleeding issues, uneven growth in his limbs and/or essentially "feed" the port wine stain causing it to swell, effecting circulation among other things. The potential for high blood flow areas exists as well which would be pertinent information to have in case of injury or surgery down the road. We will let you know when we have the MRI scheduled so that you can pray with us. Judah will be put under anesthesia for that, and the test may take a couple hours to complete.

While we make arrangements for the MRI to take place, we anticipate another appointment later this week, Friday, December 9th. Judah will have an EUA (evaluation under anesthesia) to check the pressures in his eyes. If the doctor, Dr. Congdon, feels it is necessary, he will go ahead with surgery in one or both of Judah's eyes to seek to keep Judah's glaucoma under control. We are hoping and praying for a good outcome and that being no need for surgery.

Please pray that:
  • Judah will remain healthy to undergo this procedure on Friday.
  • Judah will not need surgery in his eyes.
  • Judah will fare anesthesia well with no complications during the EUA or afterwards.
  • We will continue to be anxious for nothing.

Thanks for your prayers and expressed concern for Judah and our family!

6 comments:

Karen Hevesy said...

Does he definitely have glaucoma or is it something they are still watching for? Thank you for updating this sight regularly, I check every week, you can never have too much prayer!

Briana Almengor said...

The glaucoma has been treated surgically once, back in May in his right eye. His eye was swollen shut for about 3 weeks, and it took months for it to open up all the way again. Friday's procedure is a checkup, but the surgeon will go ahead and do another surgery if it's needed. Does that answer your question? Thanks for asking and praying!!

Jen Clemmer said...

I've been printing out this blog whenever you post anything so Bradley can read it. We're praying for you all!! If you need anything Bri, just let me know!!

Anonymous said...

Thank you for the weekly updates. I check in every tuesday for the latest! So glad that things are looking good - especially around the holidays :)

peg said...

Hi Briana,
I'm sorry for not faithfully looking at this post! I will be praying for Judah's sugery this Friday.
Love you!

Briana Almengor said...

Thank you all for praying and inquiring about Judah. I'll post a more detailed update on Monday, but quickly: Judah did end up having surgery today on his left eye. (In May, it was his right eye). The surgery went well per the surgeon and Judah's recovery seemed to go better this time than the surgery in May. We go tomorrow morning for a post-op. visit where they'll remove the big eye shield and give us some drops to start using (8 times a day..yuck). All in all, we experienced amazing grace and strongly felt GOd's presence and your prayers throughout the entire day. Thank you so much for your prayers. You can't know how much they mean to us!