God answered "Yes"

I'm back from a long, long break.  I guess I'm just waiting for something wonderful to happen, the answer to what we have been praying for several months now.  This is it... I am ready to share the big story!

It was one of those days when we felt so helpless. There was nothing we can do about the situation but to accept, pray about it and lift everything to God. Being helpless doesn't necessary mean that you will be hopeless, right?  This post is a bit long but it's worth reading until the end. [I tried to be not too emotional, promise ;)] God's love really moves in mysterious ways!

August of last year, I told my husband that I would like to bring Matt to his neurologist for a follow-up check up. This is in connection with his shunt (a surgically placed tube and valve system, which takes excess fluid from the brain to the abdomen) because of his Hydrocephalus due to Spina Bifida.  I do not observe any problem with Matt but I just wanted to make sure that the shunt is still in place (since Matt is already 13, there's a possibility that he has outgrown his shunt and now needs to be lengthened.)  It's been years since we last consulted his neurologist and I think it's about time to pay her a visit. To know more about Matt's medical condition, please check here.

Dr. Aida Salonga, one of the first doctors who attended to Matt right after his birth, was happy to see him again.  She is our favorite doctor who doesn't run out of encouraging words and stories to share with us. We usually spend at least 30 minutes whenever we consult with her.  After updating her with Matt's latest achievements and discussing our concerns, she suggested for him to undergo CT scan of the brain and Spine X-ray to check the current position of his shunt.

We went back to the hospital (Perpetual Hospital, Las Pinas) for the procedures on August 31. 

CT Scan and X-ray. Matt was very cooperative and we were able to go home right away.

The next image will show a CT scan image of a normal brain vs one with hydrocephalus.  The black area (2nd image) represents CSF (cerebral spinal fluid) build-up on the ventricles of the brain.That's exactly how his brain looked like when he was born in 1999.

Matt was shunted immediately after birth that is why the enlargement of his head was prevented.

We were in for a surprise when we came back to Dr. Salonga to show the results of the CT Scan.  Matt's hydrocephalus is back after almost 13 years! 

Impression: Obstructive Hydrocephalus

We CAN NOT believe that there's a water/fluid build-up in his brain! How can this be?  We have not observed any symptoms of hydrocephalus which are frequent vomiting, headache, irritability and/or tiredness, impaired vision, seizures and difficulty in waking up or staying awake. In fact, Matt has improved a lot in his performance in school and has become more independent this school year. He concentrates when given tasks in school and at home. 

At that time, I felt so confused, I was in the 'in-denial' stage.  I am with Matt most of the time except when he's in school,  I would have been the first one to notice the 'signs' but there's really none. Dr. Salonga advised us to consult Matt's neuro-surgeon, Dr. Norman Bitanga, the one who performed most of his surgeries. We went to him a few weeks later. He confirmed what we do not want to hear, that is, the shunt has malfunctioned (as to when we really don't know) and there's no other way to make it work again. But still, my question was not answered, in my mind, I'm still hoping that there is just something wrong with the result of the CT Scan and everything will turn out fine.  We were instructed to observe and do a repeat within 6 months.  If it will reveal the same result then there's a need for a surgery -- a placement of a new shunt on the other side of his head.  It was a sad day for me and my husband.  We can't bear to see our son go through that procedure again.

What is a Ventriculoperitoneal shunting?

• An area of hair on the child's head is shaved off. This may be behind the ear, or on the top or back of the head.
• The surgeon makes a cut in the shape of a horseshoe (U-shape) behind the ear. Another small surgical cut is made in the child's belly.
• A small hole is drilled in the skull. A small thin tube called a catheter is passed into a ventricle of the brain. This can be done with or without a computer as a guide. It can also be done with an endoscope that allows to see inside the ventricle.
• Another catheter is placed under the skin behind the ear and moved down the neck and chest, and usually into the belly area. Sometimes, it stops at the chest area. The doctor may make a small cut in the neck to help position it.
• A valve (fluid pump) is placed underneath the skin behind the ear. The valve is connected to both catheters. When extra pressure builds up around the brain, the valve opens, and excess fluid drains out of it into the belly or chest area. This helps decrease intracranial pressure.

We immediately informed the people who work with Matt everyday, his yaya and teachers.  We explained to them the situation and requested them to observe him all the time.  Any unusual behavior should be noted and reported to me asap. They were all concerned about Matt, we are very thankful!  Then, we asked for prayers from family members and close friends. It was hard for us to share what we are going through that time because I would always feel emotional whenever I narrate Matt's condition. Any parent would feel the same if he/she is in our shoes.

We also explained to Matt that there's water in his brain and that he should tell us if he feels something wrong. I would always ask if he has headache whenever I see him squint his eyes. I usually wake up in the middle of the night to check on him. He's aware that we will repeat the test after a few months and I told him we should always pray for God to remove the water from his brain and make his shunt work again.

I know in my heart, there is a miracle waiting to happen.  I am very sure of it! God loves Matt so much and I have no doubt about it. We just need to TRUST and OBEY.

Months passed quickly, Matt remained healthy except for occasional cough and colds because of his allergies. He continued to do well in school. He turned 13 last December 20th and we're very grateful that he was blessed again with another year. Our son is now a teenager!

Look at that handsome smile! He's all grown up now :)

Our feature story "My Little Miracle" in Smart Parenting Magazine also came out on his birth month.  It made me more assured that another miracle is on it's way to us soon.

Last March 1st (Friday) we decided to face the inevitable and bravely repeated the CT Scan.  I texted our Pastor and friends to pray for us. Again, Matt was so behaved! Scan lasted for 10 to 15 minutes only. He didn't want to be strapped for a long time.  Daddy Louie carried him to his wheelchair and Matt proudly told him several times, "Dad, the water is gone" and  he only stopped when Daddy replied with assurance, "Yes son, the water is gone."

The result was already available the following day but we opted to just get it the next Tuesday just before our scheduled appointment with Dra. Salonga. While my husband was parking the car (Matt's not with us) I went ahead to pick-up the result.  I prayed before I reached out inside the big envelope.  My heart was pounding so fast and my hands were shaking when I pulled out the film. I blinked several times to make sure I'm not dreaming (btw, my vision is still 20-20) while looking at the images.

Impression:  Near normal size of lateral ventricles with a functioning VP shunt in place

I was running to the Medical Arts Building. I can't wait to show it to my husband. Matt is right, God has taken the water away! He graciously answered our prayers.  He gave us a miracle!

When we were called by the secretary, I entered the room with a big smile and excitedly handed the films and results (both previous and latest) to our doctor.  My eyes were filled with tears when she clipped the films in the view box and confirmed that the shunt is indeed doing it's job of draining the CSF to his abdomen. She explained that this can happen but very very rarely, that is, at the time of the first scan there was a CSF build-up but it was eventually drained. She agreed it's a miracle!  One of the those she has witnessed for the past 30+ years of her medical practice. Wow, ang lakas talaga ni Matt ke Lord!

Exactly the same position/images of the brain (Top- Aug 2012, Bottom-March 2013)
The white line in some of the images is the shunt valve. 

Hydrocephalus patients have life-long dependence on their shunts and in Matt's case, since his spinal cord has been damaged, the CSF really has to pass through the shunt. Something amazing happened to his body and only God knows what it is. We are just thankful for this great blessing and to all the prayer partners.  All I know is, we BELIEVED and God answered "YES"! He healed our son once again!

Life is a journey of ups and downs.  We just have to make sure that we do not stay down for a long time.  We have our own battles and it's up to us how we are going to face and eventually overcome them.  Live one day at a time, don't rush, keep the faith. God is never late in answering our prayers. His timing is always perfect!

You are one of the greatest gifts we have!

Your little sister loves you very much, Kuya Matt!

 

Thanks for taking the time to read this.  Hope you were blessed :) Happy Summer!