Decision

The neurosurgeon recommended surgery on Abbey's spinal cord. We must make a decision if this is something we want to do. There are risks associated with the surgery as well as if we opt not to do the surgery. We will meet with the neurosurgeon again in a month. Until then, we will do research, study and pray.

I'll try to explain her condition in layman's terms...in short, she has what is referred to as a tethered spinal cord. (1, 2) [here are two links that briefly explain what that means]. Her spinal cord is extra long (which in itself is not that big of a deal), however, the end of it is stuck to or tethered to a fatty mass of tissue. The surgery would attempt to release the cord from the mass so that it could float back into the spinal canal and be surrounded by spinal fluid as it should be as well as remove some of that fatty tissue.

This spinal defect is a "cousin" condition to cloacal extrophy and therefore, it is unknown as to why it happens. It is a form of spina bifida.

It is recommended that the surgery take place some time between 6 and 12 months of age. The surgery takes 3-5 hours. About a 10 inch incision is needed (is her torso even that long?). Recovery is expected to be about 7 days unless complications arise. There is a chance that re-tethering can occur at some point in her life, which would mean another surgery.

Abbey is a beautiful child inside and out. She continues to teach us more about life than we ever imagined. She finally got her foot into her mouth the other day - she's been going at it for well over a month now - loves to suck on those toes! And have I mentioned that she's rolling over? and over and over...