Kyle's feeling a lot less pressure!

Kyle and his aunt "Issy" chill out after his surgery today

As many of you already know, Kyle underwent surgery this morning to have a shunt placed as a way to relieve brain fluid build-up. We woke up early to leave Bellingham by 5AM and arrived at Children's in Seattle for our 6:45AM check-in. By 7:45AM Kyle was walking back to surgery with the anaesthesiologist. What a brave boy to kiss his dad and I a "see you later" and walk out the door and down the hall without us. 

We waited about 2 hours for our pager to ring telling us he was finished and to head back to the surgery center. We met with Dr. Avellino, the neurosurgeon who placed his shunt. We were happy to hear that everything went well. Dr. Avellino said "He must be very good at compensating for what is going on!" He then explained that the pressure in his head was very high, measuring 48, and normal pressure is about 7 to 9! He was surprised that he wasn't having frequent headaches and that he was able to ride his bike yesterday. I wanted to tell him that anyone who knows Kyle wouldn't be surprised. 

Right now we are waiting for him to come out of recovery. After he wakes up he'll have a quick CT scan to make sure everything looks good, then the nurse will wheel him up to us in his room. It seems like the day should be over and it is only 11:30AM! Kyle and I will stay here overnight and maybe for a second night. He'll see Dr. Olson on Wednesday and start the next round of chemo. 

Thanks for all your good thoughts and prayers this morning, I have no doubt that they help Kyle put on the brave face he wears so proudly.