MRI results

Aidan's neurologist called this morning to give us the results of his MRI. He said that he was pleased to see that there was no further damage in the areas of infarction/stroke. The basal ganglia area, he said, was preserved. He also made the statement that had Aidan not started receiving hyperbaric treatments, it would be a completely different MRI. Whomever reviewed the films before our neurologist said that there were some areas of scarring in those areas where he had the strokes, but Dr. C didn't see them himself. I guess it's just a difference of interpretation.

On the not so great side, there was a little more atrophy of the entire brain and the ventricles are enlarged, but there is NOT any swelling, which is usually associated with the enlarged ventricles.

I asked what else we could be doing and if any of this is reversible or if it will improve. He said that we should definitely continue the hyperbarics and increase his ambrotose to 2 pills in the evening instead of one. The ambrotose is a really strong anti-oxidant. Aidan is already on all of the vitamins and anti-oxidants that he has recommended. He did say that it is possible for the brain to heal, and we've already put a halt to further damage or softening of the brain, which is good.

I wanted a miracle, but I'll take this. Yesterday was extremely difficult for me. We didn't have a nurse at all yesterday or last night, but that wasn't what made it difficult. I guess I'm just very depressed. All I could do was look at Aidan and cry yesterday. I miss EVERYTHING that he used to do. I want him back the way he was. I want him to have a future that includes going to school and playing sports or whatever he wants, going to college, getting married, having kids... I want all of that for him. I don't want him to have to depend on people to do everything for him. I want him to be able to run and play like a normal little boy his age. It just sucks... all of it. This shouldn't have happened to Aidan! It shouldn't happen to anyone. It's like being stuck between living and dying. He's trapped.

I'm grateful for the progress Aidan has made. We have the appointment with the neuro-opthalmologist on Wednesday and then next Wednesday, the 11th is the brochoscopy. I will definitely post something after the doctor's appointment Wednesday.

Thank you all for your continued prayers. Please, keep Aidan in your prayers. Pray that we continue to see progress and improvements and that this golf tournament is a success. We really need to have that hyperbaric chamber at home. With gas getting so expensive and reports that it could possibly go up to $5 a gallon, I cringe to think how that is going to impact us taking Aidan to his treatments. We're already going only once per day when he really needs 2 treatments per day because of the gas and the time involved to drive to and from each day.

To anyone who is planning to register for the golf tournament, a note:

PLEASE get your entry forms in by THIS Friday (the 6th), as we have to give a count to the golf course that day. If for some reason you get your entry mailed in and believe it will be late, please email us and let us know that you will be attending, if you be staying for dinner after the tournament, and that you've sent your form. Also, payment for registration has to be in by Friday; we will only accept payment for late entries to the Closest to the Pin and Longest Drive Contests. This is different from what is stated on the registration form.

I cannot stress this enough. We have to pay the golf course for the rounds of golf and for the catering, which is why we need the entries ASAP. We hope to see you all out at the golf course. We'll have Aidan out there during the check-in, so you can meet him then.

Thank you!
Erin