The surgery went well. The neurosurgeon used the same 5-6 inch incision as he used last time. He was able to remove the entire tumor and every cell he could see under a microscope. They put Jude in the intraoperative MRI and used contrast to verify that the entire tumor was removed. They gave him 2 titanium plates this time and just 4 screws. Last time he got 3 titanium plates and 15 screws, which were removed. As Andy pointed out, Jude has a partially bullet proof head. I know that would freak Jude out now, but he may think it is cool when he is older. Our OR nurse from Children’s was awesome and gave us so much information during and after the surgery. She even told us something that she apparently was not supposed to tell us — that the preliminary view of the surgeon and pathologist was that the tumor was a Grade II rather than a Grade III. We will get Children’s final pathology by Friday, and I think a slide will still be sent to the doctor at Johns Hopkins who defined the difference between the Grade II and III. Jude was out of surgery by noon and his surgeon was a man of few words, as usual, and just said again that it went well and that we would be pleased.
Jude
was brought to the PICU after surgery. They wouldn’t let us see him right away and was already awake when we were allowed to see him. He was pretty upset about all his IVs and didn’t like discovering the central line that is stitched into his neck.
He is going so great. He went right to work asking for popsicles and presents. He ate a popsicle in each color and made quick work opening up the presents I brought for him. He insisted on seeing all the XBox games and was playing XBox within an hour of waking up. He has even gotten out of bed to go to the bathroom and has eaten a huge dinner. He is going to recover in no time. Thanks to everyone for praying for him! God really was holding Jude in the palm of his hand today.