MRI Results

Everything went great today with the MRI. Dr. Riva-Cambrin is really happy with the way things look. He said her brain looks just like it should a month after surgery, and there are no concerns there anymore with the infection. Her tumor looks good too- in fact he said it's hard to say exactly, but the remaining portion may look even smaller today. Miraculous. We will have another follow-up MRI in 3 months- again, thank you Aetna insurance! And yes, Steve, I will probably be a stress-case again in 3 months...

So "Diva-Riva" - (a pet name the residents call him) and our infection disease doc (Dr. Blaschke) will discuss when to stop the antibiotic and pull the PICC. We think that will be in the very near future. Cassie will have blood work done again tomorrow and we should know more then. We had a very good lengthy discussion with our favorite doc-and he is just really pleased with the way she is recovering, as are we obviously. We simply adore Dr. Riva-Cambrin. We know we were so blessed that he was the on-call surgeon when we were in need November 17. We have always felt that he has extended the very best of his skill and expertise, as well as compassion and communication. From the very first we have felt part of the team and respected. Who would have thought a neuro-surgeon would be down to earth and easy to talk to? Not us, but he is- and he is amazing! He told us we are due some "good karma" and that we should go buy lottery tickets. So signing out and headed to Wendover to try out lady luck......AS IF! We know we have already received a miracle and luck had nothing to do with it!

However, is it karma that she has taken a renewed interest in potty-training? I think so. On the other hand Diva-Riva guesses she'll want to keep her "soother" aka pacifier until she's twenty, after all the trauma she's been through. He also told us to be cautious with Cassie but not to treat her like our "glass child," and that it will be best for her to be able to "run with the pack." I would readily admit to treating her like a porcelain doll.

If you are still reading, wow, you are amazing as well. Some interesting things we have learned in the last couple weeks. Dr. Riva-Cambrin said Cassie's original tumor -removal surgery was one of the most complicated surgeries the hospital saw all year- WHAT?! And Dr. Walker, the neuro-surgeon with 35 years experience under his belt, told us twice he has never seen a case with more complications. We're glad they told us all this after the fact not during....