Operation Underway

Well, here we are in the Children's Mercy waiting room.  Isaac was taken back about 8:40 this morning, with the actual procedure expected to start around 10:00a.m.  Dr. I indicated he thought his part of the surgery would be 6 hrs or more.  We went through all the particulars one last time, gave Isaac huge hugs and kisses and off he went.  Today, what doctors will be doing is rather complex.  Due to the narrowing of his spinal column, they will be attempting to decompress the spinal cord by removing a significant amount of bone that is compressing the spinal cord from each side.  Dr. I and Dr. S will each work on creating more room for Isaac's spinal cord, essentially allowing it to float back into place.

The procedure has to be done incredibly slowing as they will be be removing small fragments of bone.  As a result, the main complications to this procedure are bleeding, hitting blood vessels that supply blood to the spinal cord (which in turn could cause a stroke), and of course, damaging the actual spinal cord and causing paralysis.  All of these things are unfortunately real possibilities, but our doctors are hopeful that all will go well.

After the procedure, Isaac will be in the ICU for at least tonight and may still have to be on the ventilator through the night depending on how long the actual surgery lasted.

We have said our prayers, we have prepared as best we can.  Isaac was in a great mood this morning and we have no doubt he will conquer what we hope to be his last major operation.

Thank you to everyone who has called, sent emails and texts and shown your support for our little guy. He is amazing and we can't wait for good news!

We will post another update in the early afternoon, as we expect him to be in surgery until late afternoon or even early evening.