Under Pressure

Our day started at 4 AM as we packed for having to stay in case of surgery. It is a 4 hour drive and it was a very pleasant ride down, in that Jon and I had some time to talk without interuption or having things to get done. Paul's head was really hurting, so he was very quiet most of the time. We got there with about an hour and a half to spare, so we got lunch and then headed to the appointment which was at 1 PM. Apparently, they had to work Paul's appointment in, and that is why they were able to see him so soon. We had a long wait, but the doctor later explained that he wanted to have the time to spend with Paul and so he tended to other patients as quickly as he could to free up a block of time for us. He took a complete history and asked a lot of questions. They did a CT scan and also a shunt tap. The CT scan showed that the ventricles are still enlarged, but the tap indicated that the flow on the shunt is working. The shunt also allowed the doctor to check the pressure in the brain. The problem is not too much pressure, but possibly very low pressure. Paul's headaches may be due to that low pressure reading. The doctor adjusted the shunt and said he wants to see Paul again in 2 weeks unless his headaches become more severe than they are now. With the adjustment to the shunt, he is hoping that he can determine the very narrow 'window' that will need to be found with the setting of the shunt. Because Paul has a problem with overdraining, this will be tougher to do. The doctor did not feel surgery was necessary at this time, as that will be his last resort. We were told by the physician's attendant that Dr. Thompson is very well versed in the use of shunts and that he should be able to help us. The success of shunts varies and the outcomes are very unpredictable, which is why you have to keep working at it until you find the perfect 'fit' for each person. They will work on this until we know the shunt is working its best, then see if the correct combination of meds in conjunction with the shunt will help Paul.
The doctor said he feels Paul has what is called 'Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus' and is basically a border line case. He said that if the shunt were taken out, Paul would not experience a life threatening problem, but obviously would suffer very severe headaches. They will test the brain fluid for any low grade infection, but that the fluid was clear and he does not feel there is any problem with that.

Our prayer is that with this adjustment, Paul will find relief and can get on with his life. He can start rehabilitation again, as long as he can work through the present headaches.

We were going to stay in Savannah, since our appointment was not over until 5:15, but as we were leaving the office, we got a call that the boys had locked themselves out of the house. We had new windows put in and Jon told the guys they were not allowed to cut any screens and 'work' the window open. They had to go to my sister's house and wait for us. We got home about 9:45 PM.

The drive home was another peaceful drive. Jerry had given us the audio CD of Peggy Noonan's book about Pope John Paul II. I was listening to the chapter about how Pope John Paul prayed almost constantly during the day. I smiled as I could relate to that, now that our life had taken a turn in November, 2005. I was listening intently and then noticed that the sky was so beautiful and that one single ray was coming through the clouds, then another, and then another. The expanse of sky in front of us was filled with a wide stretch of rays coming through the clouds. I stopped the tape and just enjoyed the beauty of the sky, thanking God for the help we received that day and for this beautiful sign of His awesomeness and majesty. I turned the CD back on and the words leapt out at me as the reader said that as a young boy, John Paul had often prayed at his parish church, Our Mother of Perpetual Help! I have already spoke of Tuesday being the feast of St. Alphonsus and his devotion to Our Mother of Perpetual Help. Then the reader spoke on about how John Paul had met St. Padre Pio and how he had requested intercessory prayers for a woman he knew who had cancer. She was cured and John Paul attributed it to the intercession of Padre Pio. In fact, it was Pope John Paul who canonized Padre Pio as a saint. I thought about their connection and then remembered that we had received Blessed Oil from Padre Pio and that along with the picture of Pope John Paul that we had in the hospital room, we had the oil. I used the oil daily when I blessed Paul, and continued that practice when we got home, with the picture of Pope John Paul directly facing Paul's bed. All this made me smile so much, as I thought about how in that moment, I was hearing connections between Pope John Paul, St. Padre Pio and Our Lady of Perpetual Help. I don't consider it coincidence either. In that moment in time, as I was able to listen and reflect on what was being read about John Paul II and his devotion to the Blessed Mother. I felt like God wanted to let me know that Our Blessed Mother truly was surrounding us with her love and protection and that Pope John Paul was praying for us, along with St. Padre Pio. I have seen so many of these little signs in my pathway and feel in my heart that God lets us know He hears us by sending us 'messages' we can see and hear.

Today, Paul got up easily and got a shower and was ready when Jerry came over to take him to Mass. When Paul came out of the shower, he said, "Did you see that I finished in 12 minutes? That is the fastest time for me."

Thanks be to God for the peace He provided us yesterday and the hours of driving that provided us so much time to reflect and pray!

May your heart be filled with that same peace today,
Love,
Jon and Rebecca