Posted by
Chris Warren on Thursday, January 22, 2009 8:49:41 AM
I intended to blog about running & politics and probably will again someday soon.
Following up from a previous post, my wife and I received word that our unborn son had a neural tube defect. After much worry, many prayers, and sleepless nights, my wife had an MRI where they "scanned" the baby. The diagnosis is Spina Bifida with a Chiari II malformation on S-2 of the sacrum. According to the doctor, this is a "better case" scenario and holds a good prognosis for our son being able to walk. There is always the potential that nerve damage could be present and he could need assistance walking or have bowel/bladder control issues. Overall, the prognosis is good. Like many babies with spinal bifida, he has fluid on his brain, causing pressure. (Again the doctor said it was mild and the prognosis for normal intellect was good).
The next hurdle will be surgical intervention. Pediatric neurosurgeons will have to "close the opening" on his spine immediately after birth. He will most likely have to have a shunt placed to drain fluid from the brain into the abdomen.
Please continue to pray for our unborn son's health, my wife, son, and I, as well as the medical staff who will take care of our son.