Embolization

Embolization is the process by which a portion of the vascular system (in this case, an artery in Dad's head) is sealed and made leak-proof. You may remember that BP did something like that off the Gulf Coast not too long ago, after their underwater oil well exploded. This is kind of the same kind of thing... except we're talking about very small, delicate pieces of Dad's head.

At about 3:15 today, Dad went into the same room where they did the angiogram early this morning. The goal of the interventional radiologist is to put the right amount of "glue" and "coils" in the right places to make Dad's AVM leak-proof. The procedure normally takes two hours, according to the nurse. But we were told that Dad's embolization – because of the size (big) and location (out-of-the-way) – will take about four to six hours.

The neurologist (Dr. Shahi) will then (after a day or two) do a brain surgery to remove the then-hardened portion of Dad's cerebral AVM without doing further damage to the brain itself. It is unclear to us whether they will wake Dad up before that procedure is done. The nurse seemed to think that would be the normal practice, but the neurosurgeon, after yesterday's initial surgery to alleviate the pressure on Dad's brain stem, told us that Dad would be kept comatose until after the AVM is removed. Hopefully this will be answered after the procedure this evening.

In other news, despite the obvious limitations due to the heavy meds, Dad's showing some signs of improvement. His color has returned (yesterday he looked very white), he has coughed twice (sign of muscle control), and he has a furrowed brow (yesterday he had a "flat affect"). His pulse rate and blood pressure increase ever-so-slightly when we talk to him and stroke his face/shoulders, so the nurse says that he can probably hear and has some understanding of what's going on around him despite his comatose state. The less-exciting news is that he doesn't respond to any reflex exercises in his feet, which indicates that he cannot feel a thing down there. Given all of the pain he would otherwise be feeling right now, that's not totally a bad thing, I guess.

Finally, we have been flat-out overwhelmed (in a good way) with all of the love and support we've been getting. If we took everyone up on their offers to help, Siena could permanently move out and we'd never have to cook for ourselves again. :) We are still in maintenance mode, though.

Please don't come visit the hospital, just because Dad's in the ICU, and everything is pretty intense still. I'm sure my mom would welcome calls, texts, etc., but her cell phone battery is weak so don't be offended if she doesn't get back to you. Please know that we very much appreciate the love we have been shown – it is a very tangible expression of how God loves and cares for Dad and each of us. It also helps us to realize that, whatever may come, we know that God will provide us with the strength to carry on!

Also, please pray for the technicians who, as I type, are performing this embolization procedure. It is a very risky endeavor, so wise decisions and calm nerves are key.

Stay tuned...