MRI Results

First off, let me begin by saying that it has been exactly a year since we found out that Lucy had hydrocephalus. 

The MRI results today looked great!  The neurologist told us that her spine looks good - nothing to be concerned about there.  Also her shunt is definitely doing its job, controlling the level of fluid in her head and allowing her brain to develop.  She still has (and always will have) an abnormal brain, with some thinned-out areas and more fluid than a normal brain.  However, in the doctor's experience, there is no reason to believe that she will be drastically behind from a learning and development perspective.  He did acknowledge that there will likely be challenges in that department, but nothing to address in her toddler years beyond the ECFE programs we are already in the process of connecting with.  What a huge answer to prayer to have confirmation that little Lucy is doing so well! 

I was reading back on our blog to the entry for March 5, 2012 and it is obvious to me that we were in a much different place then.  Here are some excerpts:

2012:
[The doctor] sat down, looked at the monitor for a few seconds and declared that although the baby's development was on course at this point, she had a "severe case of fetal hydrocephalus." He then proceeded to point out a black mass of fluid in her head where her brain should have been.





2013:
The doctor sat down, looked at the computer images and declared that her brain looks good, despite being born with what he agreed was a severe case of fetal hydrocephalus.

2012:
The doctor asked if we had questions - which we really couldn't wrap our minds around. He outlined options for us - terminate the pregnancy, more test to rule out other birth defects, etc. 



2013:
The doctor told us that Lucy looks great and seems to be on course from a development perspective.

2012:
We held most of our tears until we made it to our car. I will never forget what Jason said as we struggled to pull ourselves together: "She may not be perfect, but she'll be perfect for us." And he's right.



2013:
We hustled to the car on a snowy afternoon holding a smiley, giggling 8 month old who IS perfect for us!



2012:
We knew that we would need an inordinate amount of strength to get through this journey and that we could not do it alone.

Isaiah 41:10 Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

2013:

We know that we will still need an inordinate amount of strength to get through this journey and are so thankful to God for his continued strength and blessings that he has bestowed on us over this past year.