Brady's surgery day

 

Today is Brady's surgery day.  In case there are some of you that are not familiar with Brady, she is my brother-in-law Mitch and his wife Stephanie's new born baby girl.  She was born very tiny (just over 5 pounds and less than 18 inches long)  She was full term with a healthy mom and uneventful pregnancy, so the doctors have run numerous tests on her to find out why she is so tiny.  The tests all came out fine, but they were noticing that her head was beginning to take on an abnormal shape. She was diagnosed with Craniosynostosis.  This is a deformity of the infant skull that results when the skull sutures (fibrous joints) between various skull bones fuse improperly. Skull growth is limited at the fused suture, and growth at the remaining sutures results in an abnormal shape to the infant skull. Craniosynostosis is usually apparent in infancy and is characterized by an abnormal but characteristic head shape, depending upon how many, and which, sutures are involved. Below is an illustration taken from Neurosurgery Today.

Pre-op CAT scan Diagram of surgery 2 years post-op Patient with saggital synostosis and scuphocephaly

Multiple suture fusion - Occasionally more than one suture will be fused. The resulting head shape is dictated by the number and location of the suture. These cases usually require earlier intervention and careful monitoring of intracranial pressures on the brain.

So, that is Brady's story and we are praying for a very successful operation and a normal future for her.  I will definitely be journaling again this afternoon as to the outcome of today's surgery.  We covet your prayers for not only Brady's healing, but also for Mitch and Steph, they are taking this very hard.  Thanks.