Space Monster

Alex has been cranky most of the afternoon and has turned into a little space monster. She has her favorite gown on with koala bears in spaceships. We are all tired from a lack of sleep last night and her head is probably sore coupled with a new tooth coming in. She always likes to take on multiple things at once. She did get a really small dose of morphine in recovery but they say most kids just need tylenol after the surgery so that's what she's getting. They made two small incisions on the right side of her head where her shunt is and they don't look too bad. We are just thankful they don't have to shave her head!

Some have asked how we knew her shunt was malfunctioning and although the symptoms can be varied and sometimes difficult to spot, Alex's signs were very obvious. The biggest clue was feeling how full her fontanel (soft spot) was and she was just not herself. She was very irritable, tired and inconsolable at times and she started vomiting in the evening. It was also pretty apparent that she had a headache because she was very sensitive to light and sound and she kept her eyes closed. All very classic signs that there is a blockage going on with the shunt causing pressure in the head and changes in behavior.

We want to say thanks to everyone for their kind words and prayers the past 24 hours. What a great team of supporters we have rallying with us and making sure we are not alone in this journey. With the surgery now behind us, our spirits are lifted and we have a sense of relief. Let's just hope that Alex catches a break this time.