Angiogram Results...

In short, Ananda's angiogram earlier today revealed a venous aneurysm in addition to her AVM, which complicates matters. Not the good news we had hoped for, but at least now we know more about what is effecting her.

We drove to Orlando on Sunday, rented a hotel room next to the hospital, and even went swimming early in the evening. In the morning, at 5:30am, Melanie and Ananda went to the hospital for the preop and procedure, the angiogram itself taking about an hour, followed by 7 hours of observation. Ananda was in great spirits all day long, playing Webkinz on the laptop, and eating everything in sight after the anesthesia wore off.

Dr. Hellinger will present her case to a panel of doctors at a Gamma Knife conference (hopefully) this Friday, where it will be reviewed. With the presence of an aneurysm, radiosurgery may no longer be an option, since it takes 2-3 years to completely eradicate it. Melanie and I have become more accepting to the fact that invasive surgery may be her only recourse, and now the doctors will decide if it is, in fact, operable...

Our deepest gratitude to Dr. Hellinger and the hospital staff at Florida Hospital, who were exceptional today - compassion and caring, professionalism and expertise.

We're at home. Everyone is totally exhausted after a long day at the hospital. Ananda is sleeping soundly and has to keep her leg straightened while the femoral artery heals - the location where they routed the angiogram. No school for her tomorrow, but maybe some pumpkin painting/carving, and hopefully trick-or-treating the next day. Last week, she was awarded the Citizen of the Month award at a ceremony at her school. Of course, she continues to be a bookworm, having finished another Magic Tree House book this weekend...

Please, at our request, continue to keep all your thoughts, feelings, and prayers for our daughter positive. Do not waste any valuable time/energy on negative thoughts or worst-case-scenario outcomes. Ananda will be completely and miraculously healed! Believe it.

Thank you.