An EVD stands for "external ventricular drain." There is a tube that runs from the inner chambers of Michael's brain, the ventricals, up through his cerebral cortex and out of his skull. The hole for the tube is about the size of a pencil eraser. The drain is set up so that extra fluid can be drained out of his head if the pressure becomes too high. Here is a picture of the drain (please skip if too graphic for you). Normal cerebralspinal fluid is clear, but Michael's is pinkish-orange from the blood byproducts of his surgery. Over time, it will return to clear.
When Michael's tumor grew, it pressed right into the natural drains of the ventricular system that run down the neck and spine, shutting them off and creating a back up of fluid in his brain. After the surgery, these ducts were reopened so the fluid could re-circulate, but in many cases, the brain has since lost the ability to drain on its own. We have been crossing our fingers since the surgery that his body would renew and re-learn how to drain the fluid itself. If it cannot, then a permanent shunt, a tube that would run from the ventricular system, down through his body and into his stomach, would be placed. There would be extra tubing left in his body so the shunt could grow as Michael grew. This will be determined in the next day or two.
Thank you guys so much for posting on the blog as frequently as you do. I check your blog as often as I check my e-mail, always wondering how everything is going over there. The kids like looking at the pictures too, and we keep them updated. Sometimes the kids forget to pray for the food, but they almost always remember to pray for Michael. :-) We love you!
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