Surgery All Done

We just met with Doctor Menezes following the operation. Jake is still in recovery. The surgery went more quickly than expected. They were closing him up in 6.5 hours. The tumor was quite a bit bigger than they thought and was intertwined with the brain tissue around it. It was also almost twice the size that it appeared in the films. From what he could see of the tumor the doctor things that it is grade 2 or higher – indicating follow-up radiation therapy. Jacob will be disappointed about that but we will help him deal with whatever is necessary The surgery went as well as it could go but it was also more difficult than they thought. There was a lot of scar tissue and the tumor was very deep in his head – 3-4 inches… almost in the middle of his head next to the brain-stem. . They had to cut away a lot more of the bone to get in and past the scar tissue. There was also a lot of scar tissue between shelf separating the cerebrum and the cerebellum and on the cerebellum itself. He said that it was very difficult to get into the area where the tumor was and the tumor was on and around some very critical areas of the brain just as expected. The Doctor said that if the tumor does come back it will be extremely difficult to remove again. They got everything closed up fine. To get the bone attached they used two Titanium plates, one on each side of the back of his head. That should present no further problem. One of the most dangerous things now is hydrocephalus. The ventricles were so small that they did not think they could get a ventricular drain in so they did not try. They will watch him closely. For the next 48 hours he will be in critical condition and in pediatric intensive care. Jake has kept his humor and keeps us all laughing, even amidst his pain. His friends have been here all day and they are making a documentary of Jake's experience. Jake will love that when he is feeling better.