Surgery

After finding some troubling news that Kiyas Cerebral Spinal Fluid (CSF) wasnt draining properly the doctors (we actually trust) decided that there wasnt much hope of the CSF draining on its own. So to make a long story short we had a shunt surgically put in her head to drain the fluid. A shunt is basically a small tube that goes inside her brain to drain off the excess CSF. The tube goes under her skin behind the ear and into the stomach where the fluid is absorbed. They left plenty of coil in her stomach so as she grows the tube will still be in her stomach. The surgery went well the doctors say. The risks with a shunt are primarily infection and blockage. There is a 5% chance of infection. If I had a 95% chance of something positive happening in almost any other area I would be happy, but its definitely 5% higher than I feel comfortable with. Also there is a 40% chance of blockage occuring in the tube. So basically this is a lifelong process where there might be adjustments or revisions that will take place. The pros are obviously that her brain can get rid of the excess fluid allowing her brain to develop better, hopefully help her eat better, not have headaches, and of course not have her head continually increase in size. I just pray that she wont get any infections from this and that it will get her on to where she can heal and live a happy life. Kristen is with her now as she has been waking up from the surgery. She had been intubated for about 24 hours and has just been extubated. Which is having a tube put in her lungs to breath. Very uncomfortable and agitating. So we are happy to have that out. Kristen has been there making sure she is as comfortable as possible and getting the right amount of pain medication. This has not been fun for Kiya but hopefully this is a big step to getting her home where she can be held all day and night by mom and dad. Thank you all for your support and keep her in your prayers.

P.S.
She is freaking adorable.