Tomorrow at Washington Hospital center, he will have an operation to place a ventricular shunt into the brain ventricles with a tiny programable pump that will slowly and continuously drain the extra CSF away from his brain. We are hopeful that this procedure will lessen many of his most difficult symptoms and allow him to regain his recovery and reclaim his life. He will remain in Neuro ICU over the week-end and hopefully be back at NRH Monday.
Once he recovers from this surgery (his fourth) he will have another 4-6 weeks of therapy before he can be medically cleared for the major surgery which will include replacing his skull flap. But we are very fortunate to have a plan, talented and skilled surgical and nursing teams, and a base of support much closer to home. And most importantly we are blessed with Austin's strength and Forrest's smile to light the way. We are so grateful for your unfailing belief in Forrest, for your continued prayers, positive healing energy, personal visits, cards, letters and blog posts. Your encouragement and support is literally life sustaining oxygen to Forrest and his Team. Without it we simply could not breathe.
Please keep Forrest in your thoughts and prayers this weekend. We will let you know when he is safely through this surgery.
With love and gratitude,
Mom and Team 44
I'll be praying for all of you, including the surgeons. Blessings.
ReplyDeleteRick and I have you in our prayers!!!!! Good luck, stay strong!!
ReplyDeleteJulie and Rick Mitchell
I have absolute and utter faith in Forrest. This procedure sounds like something that will bring Forrest relief and hasten his recovery. How fortunate to live in an era when this procedure is available. Six weeks will fly by but in the meantime, continued prayers and positive energy to all of team 44.
ReplyDeleteWarmly,
Abby Laughlin and family
Hello Rae and Team 44 - keep breathing! There are so very many of us here for you :) - so glad to know this surgery might bring some, and hopefully a lot, of relief to Forrest. He is overdue! We will be thinking of all of you, and especially Forrest, tomorrow trusting in the surgical and care giving teams and praying for wonderful results! Happy there is a plan in place. We are holding you close and sending lots of love and good energy to each of you - you will be in our hearts and minds especially so this weekend, The Shermans
ReplyDeleteYour entire family will be in our thoughts and prayers this weekend, even though I am confident Forrest will power through! He has the strength and support of an amazing family! Hugs to all,
ReplyDeleteBerkeley and Thomas Gunnell
May God be with all of you while Forrest is in surgery once again. I'll definitely keep you all in my prayers. All of you have become so much a part of my daily life that I feel like a know each and every one of you.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Joyce and Wilbur Ellis
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ReplyDeleteDear Rae, Kent and Awesome Austin,
ReplyDeleteYour post is full of good news. The good news of a plan and ordered steps. I'm almost thankful that the MRI's depicted increasing spinal fluid. This seems to be an answer to the frustrating pace of progress these last weeks / month. I am so thankful that there is a resolution through today's shunt surgery that will well prepare Forrest for his next big step of replacing his skull flap.
Rae, you post sounds full of conviction and strength. I know that is not what your mother's heart and stomach must feel this morning. Please know that your strength is there and noticed by others and that our prayers and good wishes are focused on sustaining you, Kent and Austin, and your sense of hope.
I pray that the surgeons and medical staff attending Forrest today have sure hands and sharp minds.
I pray that the surgery is swift, smooth and successful.
I pray that you suffer no anxiety while Forrest is in the operating room.
I pray that the coming days confirm the successful outcome with increased signs of your precious son's return to you.
Amen.
Dear devoted friends, you are covered in prayer today. As sweet Joyce said above, God is with you. He has taken on Forrest's burden and walks with him every day, and with each one of you. And He goes before the gurney into the operating room today.
We eagerly await the good news of Forrest's recovery from surgery.
With love, faith and hope,
Shannon and family
The Lord Himself will go before you. He will be with you: he will not leave you or forget you.
Deuteronomy 31:8
Matthew 18:20 says...
ReplyDeleteFor where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them. Please know that many of us gather in His name today praying for Forrest and I am confident that He, who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, is there by Forrest, the doctors and each of you. I trust that Forrest's healing and restoration is waiting to reveal itself and oh what a day that will be!
Blessings to you today and we look forward to the update.
Donna
We will be praying for Forrest today, as in every day, and we hope that this surgery will give Forrest and Team 44 the hope that they all richly deserve. I truly feel that once these complications are removed, Forrest will have a clear path to a complete, steady recovery. Bless you all! Barbara Riddleberger, Claudia Sarnoff and the gang from Rabbit Hill.
ReplyDeleteThe prayers that have been offered by Shannon and Donna and others are beautiful..... there is nothing more I can add to these loving words. We are all with you and praying for the outcome and speedy recovery that you all so deserve. With love, hugs and warm thoughts and prayers, Betsy, Mark & Lauren Davis
ReplyDeleteDearest Rae, Kent, Austin and of course Forrest,
ReplyDeleteThe sheer strength, conviction and power you show as a family is truly beautiful-it is evident in each and every post and picture on this blogspot, though it was well known before Forrest's devastating injury. My prayers and love is with you, every minute of every day and I will look forward to seeing Forrest's post surgery update.
Hayleigh Royston
Praying... love you all.
ReplyDeleteDearest Forrest,
ReplyDeletePay little attention to the details and obstacles. Your visible humor, should tell you very clearly that you're the winner in this saga. I will see you Tuesday, Champ!
Lots of love,
Mrs. Sharples
Forrest,
ReplyDeleteYou are probably one of the strongest people I know. Keep on fighting buddy! My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Love,
Katie D.
I am Anne Geis, Peyton's Grandmom. My prayers and thoughts have been with you Forrest and your precious family for months. I follow your blog and go to bed remembering all of you. I have grown to love
ReplyDeleteyou all and do not even know you. Until we meet, may God's grace immerse you and give you strength. Love in Christ, Grandmom Geis