Hi everyone,

Monday afternoon Maddie suffered a subdural haematoma (bleeding inside the skull but outside the brain) on her right hemisphere and was airlifted from Reston ER to Fairfax Inova PICU. Yesterday (Tues) afternoon the pediatric neurosurgeon performed a craniotomy (cut a hole into skull) and removed over 70 CCs of old and new blood. They reattached the half-dollar sized piece of her skull with titanium strips and screws. The operation was smooth and today’s CT was clear, so only time will tell how she recovers.

For a visual on craniotomies from cancer.gov, please click here.  It is an illustration, but still may upset you – please use discretion.

She has not yet awaken, but it may take some time as the brain needs time to decompress and any damaged nerves to heal. However, she’s moving all extremities and reacting to touch, so those are positive signs. Jen mentioned that just now when the nurses were suctioning out her mouth, she was biting and trying to swallow, which is another good sign. Additionally, they’ve slowly turned down the settings on her ventilator since last night and she’s taking it very well. Her heart rate, breathing, blood vitals, and O2 levels are all within normal range.

The biggest concern now is irreversible damage to the brain. Her pupils are different sizes and not reacting to light tests although her eyelids are starting to flutter more with stimulation.

The upside of returning to Inova is the sincere care and attention we are getting from all the staff. Every single surgeon, doctor, nurse, and PA who saw Maddie last time around came to talk with us since we arrived. We are so grateful to be in such good care with so much amazing technology.

Please pray for us. The next few days will be critical for Maddie’s recovery. Additionally, Abby is taking Maddie’s absence well so far, but showing signs of missing her and mom. Bill is entering a very busy season at work with mid-year reviews coming up and Jen has exhausted all her leave, both paid and unpaid.

There is much that we cannot control, and thus we lay it at the feet of our Lord.

Thank you all,