Kalter is back in the spotlight. Jack goes to the doctor again, the Tuesday after Susie and I's weekend excursion. Expecting a routine check mixed with some painful immunizations, it was to our surprise when Kalter ordered a CT scan.
I could not go to the dr. appointment as we took the earliest available time in order to get the shots done well before Jack was due to spend time with his babysitter (Grammy Val) again. After the appointment, I called Susie to ask how things went. "It went okay...", she said with a bit of hesitation. She went on to say he got his shots and that went similar to last time with lots of screaming as one would expect. Then she added, "He wants him to get a Cat Scan to see why he has such a large head". Kalter had informed Susie that Jack's head was within the normal range for head size but was growing at a rate faster than the rest of his body which was a cause for mild concern and enough reasoning to do a CT scan.
I called the doc back and asked about the CT Scan after a day of letting it settle in. Was this serious? How concerned should we be? What are we looking for? Expecting to see? Kalter indicated that he was concerned. He added that we are looking for the reason as to why Jack's head is growing at a fast rate. I asked about what Susie had told me he had told her regarding his statement indicating he refers about 1 patient a month for a CT for the same thing and approximately 11 of those come back with need for concern.
Susie and I both researched the possibilities. We knew they were looking for Hydroencephalus, aka water on the brain. This condition is actually when spinal fluid builds up in a spot in the brain causing bulging of the skull. While not life threatening this condition can result in reduced mental capabilites and numerous complications. Further, the treatment involves an invasive procedure to place a shunt in the head to drain the fluid often resulting in infections and leading to numerous additional procedures. Other possibilities were much worse, too upsetting to even mention here. However, our hope was and I think our expectation was that they would find nothing...we both have big headed families.
Within 3 days, we had the CT Scan done. Even though Kalter said there was no hurry and we should just get it done within the next month, we wanted it done yesterday! Further, how did he know there was no hurry if he didn't know what the cause was?
The procedure was relatively easy for Jack. He simply had to lay in a bed while x-rays of his head were taken. I kept my hand on him and talked to him...smiling the whole time. Only one of us could go in with Jack; Susie waited in the lobby, alone.
Afterward, we ran out of the hospital and I told Jack I didn't want to go back so he better get control of his head immediately. Jack said, "00h, magadoo". Now I think that means, "go ahead and get used to it dad cause we're coming back".
1 comment:
Reading your blog continues to raise my blood pressure. Although, it is a good reality check and reminder as to why I feel horrible all the time... exhausted, overwhelmed, and that I will (and do) cry at the drop of the hat. I constantly fight the urge to get angry at God? and say, "Why is this all happening to us? We are really good people!!" Must sign off, am feeling a heart palpitation coming on. Love you.
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