Ho, Ho, Ho Merry Christmas!!!

Happy Holidays everyone!

I cant believe another Christmas is just around the corner!  Only a year ago at this time I was on bed rest awaiting our little Westin!  With so many fears and worries, I just wish I knew then what I know now.  We were back in the cities on December 5th-7th.  On the 6th we had a full day of tests again to finish of the year.  The day started reallllly early! Westin decided to get up at 5am!  We had to be at the hospital at 7:30 to get him ready for his sedated MRI.  We were both really dreading this test, one because he had to be put under for it, but mostly for the results.  This is a test where you can really get the best picture at his brain and spine.  Once out of the MRI he has another bladder ultrasound and another RNC, which is the test where they insert a catheter and fill the bladder with a radioactive dye so they can watch to see if there was any reflux.  Then they also watch to see if he initiates voiding on his own.  All of these bladder tests are done frequently to watch for any changes in his voiding or to see if the level of reflux has changed.  There #1 goal is to protect those little kidneys.

Once done with all of these tests we were of to meet with the Dr's for the test results.  First we met with Peter who is the nurse for Westin's neurosurgeon.  Hes a great guy, really easy to talk to, and tells it like it is.  Once is his room he pulled up the test results for the first time so we could go over everything together.  For the MRI they were checking for symptoms of tethered cord: Tethered cords are a group of congenital developmental malformations in which the spinal cord is fixed to surrounding tissues within the spinal column and cannot move freely at the lower end. As a child grows, his or her spinal column grows, but the spinal cord may not grow at the same rate. This fixation of the spinal cord as the spine lengthens causes tension on the spinal cord and nerves, producing various symptoms.

There were also looking for Syrinx.: A syrinx results when a watery, protective substance known as cerebrospinal fluid, that normally flows around the spinal cord and brain, transporting nutrients and waste products, collects in a small area of the spinal cord and forms a pseudocyst.

Lastly they were looking at the ventricles to check for hydrocephalus and they were also checking for Arnold Chiari Malformation type 2, Chiari malformations are structural defects in the cerebellum. That's the part of the brain that controls balance. Around 90% of kids with Spina Bifida have AC11.

Once the test results were pulled up. He looked at us and shook his head.  He said that the MRI couldn't have looked any better.  His ventricles were at the correct size, which means there is no sign of hydrocephalus which means NO SHUNT!!!! This is something that is very exciting!!!  Also there were no signs of tethered cord or any syrinx.  Also through the MRI we learned that he doesnt have Arnold Chiari type 2.  This is really rare that he doesnt have this because Spina Bifida and AC type 2 pretty much go hand in hand. 

What a relief it was to have this test over and done with, and to top it to have awesome results!  We are so blessed.  He continues to prove that he is one special kid!

Once done with Peter we were of to meet with Dr. Marker to go over the bladder tests.  These test results continue to be good.  Both kidneys measured equal in size, there is still a small amount of reflux on the right side.  This has been the same since Westin was born, at this time isn't enough to worry about.  So we don't have to have any more tests with Peter for a year, at that time Im guessing another MRI will be done to check the ventricles again.  As far as any more bladder tests, we won't go back until this coming summer!  It will sure be nice to have a few months break!

We also had some fun, lots of shopping, good food and meeting new people!  We were able to meet up with another family who has a little girl who also has spina bifida who just turned 1 in November.  We had soo much fun with them.  And I'm pretty sure Westin has a crush on Leah.. They were so cute together.  Both just happy, smiley and so full of life!  What blessings they are!  If was fun to chat because Leah also has the same Doctors as Westin.  We had lots in common with them and look forward to getting together next time we are in the cities!

Here are a few new pictures, I hope you enjoy!

“Life is an opportunity, benefit from it.
Life is beauty, admire it.
Life is a dream, realize it.
Life is a challenge, meet it.
Life is a duty, complete it.
Life is a game, play it.
Life is a promise, fulfill it.
Life is sorrow, overcome it.
Life is a song, sing it.
Life is a struggle, accept it.
Life is a tragedy, confront it.
Life is an adventure, dare it.
Life is luck, make it.
Life is too precious, do not destroy it.
Life is life, fight for it.”
― Mother Teresa