Post-Op Status: Where's ELMO!!!

Eli's surgery finished up at about 7:30 last night. The surgery went pretty well. No major problems or obstacles. The neurosurgeon believes he was able to remove most of the tumor. There is some residual, an unknown amount, just below the optic chiasm (see pictures). This is difficult to remove in a child due to the surgical approach that must be used. Removal of tumor in this area can lead to total vision loss and stroke. We will know on Monday after the MRI the extend of the residual/remaining tumor and what the next treatment steps will be.

When we first arrived in the recovery room, Eli was just waking up. I have him his favorite blankie and then he opened his eyes and in a gruff-whisper said "Elmo, I want Elmo." We could not have been happier than to hear those words! Odd as that may sound it was an indication to us that he was going to be okay! He remembered Elmo and remembered just how much he loves Elmo.

This morning, after a bit of a rough night sleep due to a little fever Eli told me "Mommy, my watch says I need to sleep more!" So there you have it! After a little orange and red jello ("orange it better") Eli went back off to sleep. He is moving all his fingers, toes arms and legs and counting fingers and reading "GET WELL" on a balloon.

So that's it for now. We will be in the PICU for the weekend to monitor his electrolytes and manage his pain.

We will keep you updated. Thank you for ALL the wishes, love and support. It is truly helping him recover.

Our love,
Always,
Meagan and Jacob

In this picture the #2 is the optic chiasm. In the picture above one can see how the optic nerve which crosses at the chiasm lies just above the tumor area.