Ordinary Brain

We got some results yesterday on my daughter’s brain MRI.   During the initial hospitalization at the start of September she had a brain MRI which showed some white spots in a few places in her brain.   The preliminary report made it sound a little scary, like were these mini-tumors or something, but we were told very quickly by a friend not to be alarmed by that as it likely wasn’t abnormal.   

Sure enough, when the neurology team came in to give us an overview of the results the first thing they told us was not to worry about the white spots, they were very common in a significant portion of humans and the cause, function or meaning of them was unknown.   They said that if the spots on her MRI were of that type they would remain in her brain probably all her life.    They suggested we do another scan in a few months to see if things had changed. 

Wednesday was that re-scan day and I wanted to know if we could eliminate the brain or if there was something involved that would be visible on the scan.   What if, for instance, she had inflammation around the optic nerves?   What if the white spots had grown or changed?   

Even before we had left the hospital, when my daughter was just waking up from the anesthesia, our main eye specialist told us the preliminary report showed nothing wrong with her brain.   I’m very glad she has just an ordinary brain at this point. 

We got the final report yesterday in which it details the white spots still exist and are unchanged from the prior scan.   The scan also noted what our eye doctors had been seeing as well, that she has micropthalmia (small eyes) that look to be low in pressure (low fluid) and the retinas appear to be detached from what the scan reader could tell.   

Tomorrow we head to Detroit.   As a side note, apparently in the last day or two I wrote both Detroit and Denver in a blog post.   We are going to Detroit.   Denver is lovely, but Dr. Trese doesn’t practice there.   Thanks to those of you who let me know.

The Big Boy Update:  Today was my son’s fifth birthday party.   We had it at the house here and were treated to seventy-four degree weather, which felt like a sunny summer’s day and was wholly unexpected.   We had the party in the walk-out basement and let the children run around the back yard.   A balloonist came and he and his assistant did delightful balloon animals for everyone (mostly light sabers for the boys), magic tricks were performed and fire was eaten by “the head guy” as my son called him.   Angry Birds cup cakes were enjoyed by all at the end and hopefully we’ll all sleep soundly tonight as a result.    

The Tiny Girl Chronicles:  Nana brought my daughter a baby doll cradle today.   It is a beautiful wooden one given to her from their neighbors.  My mother-in-law made bedding for it and when my daughter saw it she immediately put her frog ballerina stuffed animal she was given today from JoAnn and Henry.    She rocked it a little bit and then looked up at Nana and said, “you could be the babysitter tomorrow because I’m not going to be here.”   I think she’s looking forward to her special trip with dad and me.   I just hope we can sell this trip as fun and not just another trip to a hospital.