9.15.2008

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. 

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi Kyle,

It was so nice to get to talk with you tonight. We are so proud of you. Hang in there. We know you are going to be feeling better each day. Thanks for the phone call. You made our night!

Carson and Tiffany

Dane Faris said...

Yea, that is awesome news-not sure how you put up with all the extra pressure, but then again, you never cease to amaze us Kyle. Nicolas called us on his way home tonight, hope the books make the time go by faster. Also, Mrs DeJong found me at school and told me that it all went well today. Even though you are in Seattle and at the new school, you and your family are always in our thoughts. Now hurry home. Sam and Dane

Anonymous said...

kyle -- you continue to amaze me. i'm so proud to know you. keep up the good, hard work!
issy's friend melissa :)

Anne-Marie said...

Kyle,

I'm glad that you're out of surgery safely and that some of the pressure in your head has been relieved.

Keep up the good work.

Love,

A-M & Chris

Jill DeJong said...

Hi Kyle,

I was so happy to see this picture of you and your Aunt Issy. I have been hearing lots of news about you from all of the people who love you so much, but I miss not seeing your beautiful smiling face each day!!!

Once again, I am so proud of you for facing each new challenge with courage. Just like when you and Erik and all our other Room 1 friends were in Kindergarten, you never give up. I hope you are feeling better and better all the time. I heard that you got a chance to visit with Jake L. today. How cool!!!

I hope you know how much all of your friends, both old and new, are always thinking good thoughts for you. We miss you so much at Happy Valley! Keep getting stronger and stronger and give your mom, dad, and Nicolas big hugs.

I hope to see you sometime real soon.

Lots of love-

Mrs. DeJong

Julie, Paul, Andrea and Shane said...

Hey there Mr. Kyle,

Andrea and I LOVED talking to you last night. We had all been thinking about you and praying for you all day, so talking to you was the perfect end to our evening!

As always, you are one amazing little dude! I can't believe you were skootering with that huge amount of pressure you had! Actually, I can believe it, because it's YOU we are talking about! I know those docs have never met anyone like you!

Jake sure was lucky to get to see you. I bet you cheered him up after that icky game last weekend.

We can’t wait to see you and give you big hugs!!

Love,

Julie, Paul, Andrea and Shane

Dana Hope said...

Kyle,
Your mom is right, "anyone who knows you wouldn't be surprised" that you were still scootering and riding your bike in spite of all that pressure in your head. You are amazing and that intense fortitude is what is going to get you through this next round.
Keep fighting buddy. We're all behind you and send prayers, thoughts and lots of love. Tell your family hi from us.

The Carpenters

Unknown said...

Hey Kyle!

I heard from Issy how great you did at the hospital on Monday, good job! Hope you had fun at Husky practice last night. Can't wait to see you at the next game!
Noel

Unknown said...

Kyle,

We are so happy and relieved to hear that your surgery went well. You certainly have been in our thoughts all week. Hopefully we will get to see you when you get home (Zach has been asking about you). Sending you lots of hugs!

Cindy, Mark, Zach & Taryn