The Brain

We received Wesley's MRI and PET scan results last week.  Although we really like his epileptologist, he speaks with a very heavy accent.  After speaking with him, and still feeling confused as to our plan and the results, I was able to get his neurologist we've been seeing since he was 2 months old to decipher for me.  We really love her and are just amazed at how much she cares for Wesley and our whole family.  

So here are a few snapshots from his scans (hint, the black areas are fluid where there should be brain matter).  It's disheartening to say the least although it's really nothing we didn't know already.  The PET scan did give us some new information.  The MRI looks at the anatomy of the brain while the PET scan gives some information about the functioning of the brain.  Anatomically, the left side of his brain shows more damage.  Unfortunately, functionally the right side is showing more abnormalities.  My take away... it's all messed up.  

The most important line in the results, however, is "No new abnormality."  The other positive piece is they don't want to do surgery to remove any parts of his brain (to stop his seizures).  Now the details of the "old" abnormalities and the reasoning behind their not wanting to do surgery are sobering; however, we're always looking for the water in the glass rather than the air.  










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