One Week til San Francisco

Two weeks til surgery...IF we decide to do it.

Next week we're scheduled to meet with several doctors to 1) verify we qualify for surgery and 2) learn all we can about the pros/cons/risks involved with the surgery so we can make a fully-educated decision about whether to proceed. Initially the plan was for me to meet with the doctors and have Isaiah join me for surgery the next week. After all, we feel like we've already researched a TON about the surgery and have basically made up our minds to move forward. I talked with Rachel, our surgery coordinator, about that plan. Basically, she said Isaiah needs to be there with me to meet the doctors. She said, "I know you think I'm crazy because you already know you want the surgery. But everyone who comes out here wants the surgery, and more people than not DON'T have it." So...Isaiah is coming with me to meet the doctors! That means he'll be gone from work for 2 weeks (working remotely as much as possible) so he can be with me during our decision making and surgery, which will probably be the toughest part of this whole ordeal. I love him so much.

So why do so many people not have the surgery?
1) They don't qualify. We've already "passed" most of the tests we need except for a fetal MRI which we'll do next Wednesday in SF. If there are multiple complications with Baby Hudson's brain then they won't operate on him. I'm told it's not likely they'll find anything to hold us back at this point.
2) The risks of the surgery outweigh the benefits. This could be true if Baby Hudson had a low lesion or no fluid build-up in the brain. However, we're told he has a fairly high lesion and mild-moderate fluid build-up which makes him a good candidate for surgery. Chances are the benefits will outweigh the risks in our situation.
3) Insurance denies coverage. Ex: http://www.getusedtothestairs.blogspot.com/2012/04/curse-educators-mutual-insurance.html. Thankfully, this Utah family eventually got approved, had the surgery, and just delivered their sweet baby girl this month in SLC. Isaiah and I are thankful to have excellent insurance to cover the bulk of our medical expenses.

And so we continue on our adventure. Next week we'll meet with:

¨       Pediatric/Fetal Surgeon-Hanmin Lee, MD or Shin Hirose, MD

¨       Perinatologist-Larry Rand, MD or Lena Kim, MD

¨       Pediatric Neurosurgeon- Nalin Gupta, MD, PhD

¨       Anesthesiologist- Mark Rollins, MD or Jennifer Lucero, MD

¨       Social Worker- Sharon Nomburg, LCSW

¨       Radiologist- Roy Filly, MD

¨       Pediatric Cardiologist- Anita Grady, MD

¨       Labor & Delivery-Molly Killion, Clinical Nurse Specialist

¨       Neonatologist- Sonia Bonifacio, MD

¨       Spina Bifida Clinic Coordinator- Cindy Lazzaretti RN

¨       FTC Nurses- Jody Farrell MSN, PNP, Rachel Perry, RN 

Who knew having a baby could be so complicated?