Isolation

The boy has had his operation. Only two hours, though he was in theatre for five hours. The surgeon thinks it was successful and the tumour from the fourth ventricle has been removed. No side effects so far. He can move his arms and legs. But the next 48 hours are critical as any side effects become apparent. Next operation in January all being well.

Long day today. Had to be up early to get him to hospital by 7:30am. But didn't go to theatre until 9:30am. He was thrilled to be there and to see the anaethetist. He excitedly got his line ready for the anaesthetic. Much to the surprise of the anaesthetist. The wife got very upset when he was being put under and only just made it out of the room before welling up.

He was in theatre for five hours but the operation only took two hours. The remainder of the time was spent sorting his trachy out and it having to be replaced for one that did not leak.

We spent the time having an ostensibly calm lunch trying not to think of his head being cut open. He was very sleepy in recovery but seemed to recogise us. Probably the effects of the morphine. The next 48 hours will be critical as his body reacts to the surgery. He can move his arms and legs. But we can't yet tell how well nor how his eyes are or the effect on his swallow / balance. He is very nauseous and is retching regularly.

At the moment he is sleeping. Breathing good but heart rate up as he is starting to run a temperature. I will spend the night with him. The nurses are very good and have taken us through the likely effects over the next few days when they expect him to get worse before he starts to get better. Let's hope we can get him through this period without him having to go to
intensive care, as happened last time.

Tomorrow, all being well he will have a MRI to see whether they got all the tumour that they wanted. This has to be done within 48 hours otherwise the swelling will obscure the true position.