Dad had an MRI today and the neurologist just finished giving us sad news about the results. Doctors found two small infarcts on Dad's brain stem. A "cerebral infarct" is a medical term for dead tissue caused by a shortage of blood to an area of tissue. It is essentially a stroke, which the neurosurgeon suspected after Dad wasn't showing improvement for so long. In this case, it may have occurred during brain surgery to remove the AVM or after surgery when his brain was in recovery mode. The cause is unclear at this point, but the fact that they are there is not unclear, sadly. The location of Dad's infarcts on his brain stem is significant; they are in the location that controls "primitive actions" like swallowing, coughing, and waking up.
The neurologist said Dad now has a "very poor prognosis," because the brain stem does not regenerate (heal itself). For Dad to heal, dead tissue on his brain stem will literally have to come come alive. That would take a flat-out miracle.
This means that our family will probably have some significant decisions to make when Grace arrives from Antarctica. We continue to deeply appreciate your prayers through this process. They have sustained us and will undoubtedly continue to do so.
The only real bright side of today is that Dad looks a lot better; the doctor removed his head bandage last night and pulled out the drain tube from Dad's cranium, because it wasn't leaking anymore and the swelling is gone. We can again appreciate the haircut I gave him a couple of weeks ago. Mom has made sure his skin stays beautifully smooth, and she even combed out his hair with her fingers to ensure that it remains how he likes it.
We take some consolation in knowing that Dad is not in pain. In fact, the most uncomfortable Dad has been in this process probably was when he threw up in the trashcan at work (before telling his boss to call an ambulance). We take far greater consolation in knowing that an eternity with God awaits Dad whenever his time here is done. He has surely made the most of his 60 years thus far. He has invested masterfully in the things that really matter.
That's all for now. Thank you again for all of the loving support over this past week. What a crazy week it has been...
15 comments:
"In all their distress, he too was distressed..." Isaiah 63:9
This is hard. :^( Still praying for all of you. I know God is still working, even though it doesn't look the way we wish it did. Love you.
You are in my thoughts and prayers. Thanks so much, Shiloh, for your daily, lengthy updates.
Words fail me, but we continue to pray for all of you, and grieve with you as well.
Trusting in God's perfect plan and knowing that He will carry you through whatever it may be. Love you guys and still praying with you.
Let us then approach the throne of grace with CONFIDENCE, so that we may receive MERCY and find GRACE to HELP US in our time of need. Hebrews 4.16
God you are stronger, wiser, more powerful, and mightier. Our confidence + trust are in You.
Sending much love and keeping you all in my heart.
thru the tears, praying and trusting with you all
Lots and lots of love and prayers from the Millers!! We are so sorry to hear all this sad news.
Thinking and praying for all of you every day.
all I can do is pray (well and cry, but that doesn't do much)
Shiloh: Let me know if there is anything we can do to help now or in the future, I saw Dale this morning my brotherin-law and freind who was always there for us both during the good times and the difficult. UncleRichard
If this is coming to the time for Jesus to take your dad home, we will say with the Lord,"Well done, thou good and faithful servant." Both your mom and dad have had such an impact on our lives as parents. You know we unofficially call them our mentor parents. When you were all still quite young, and we only had Ellen and Tim, we both looked over your family and agreed that we could look no further to find such a fine example of godliness and wisdom. Your dad has lived deliberately for God and wisely wasted nothing. If 60 years are the limit to his life here, never were there a 60 years better lived.
Our hearts are breaking for all of you.
Your dad encourages all of us to strive for a life filled with deliberate purpose, beautiful faith, joy and family. I deeply thank him for his example.
shiloh and sam: our thoughts and prayers are abounding for you all. may you continue to feel the love and support of those surrounding you and upholding you. thank you for keeping us informed so faithfully in the midst of your travails; it has been a great help in knowing how to direct our prayers. in his name, susan and jon
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