THIRD Back Surgery

Ryan has been dealing with severe pain since May of last year. He has had all kinds of complications along the way. He had his first back surgery on November 19, 2008. His second back surgery was on December 9, 2008. We were shocked to find out that he was going to have to have a second surgery... we thought that would certainly be the end of it. We were wrong.

This is a picture of Ryan's back four weeks after his second surgery. Notice how it is healing nicely, thanks to the help of his personal nurse Reagan.This is a picture of Ryan's back six weeks after his second surgery. Yes, we have a problem.

The change in the appearance of his back happened almost overnight. We went to our family Doctor, who immediately sent him back to the Neurosurgeon. An emergency MRI was scheduled, and the results showed what the Neurosurgeon already suspected. A hole or tear has occurred in Ryan's spine at the surgical site and his CSF (Cerebral Spinal Fluid) is leaking and pooling. Cerebral Spinal Fluid is a serum-like fluid that circulates through the ventricles of the brain and the cavity of the spinal cord. It acts as a cushion, protecting the brain and spine from injury. Ryan is going to have to undergo a third surgery in order to "plug the leak" in his spinal cord. Dr. Mutat, Ryan's neurosurgeon, explained to us that this surgery will be more complicated than the previous two. Ryan is having really bad headaches due to the lack of fluid around his brain since it is all pooling at his lower back. Also, the pain has returned in his leg due to pressure being put on his sciatic nerve from the fluid build-up. At this point, we are waiting to find out when the surgery will be. Our family Doctor explained to us that this is an urgent situation due to a risk of meningitis, so we are hoping to have a surgery date sooner rather than later. I will certainly post an update once I know something more. In the meantime, we could really use your prayers...