I have a few prayer requests:

* tomorrow is yet another trip to The Neurosurgeon to remove the last of the three groups of stitches. We’re not expecting anything crazy to happen, but Greg tends to be that person who provides the statistic (such as “wow, less than 1% of people leak CSF!” or whatever the statistic is. I can’t remember what The Neurosurgeon said the stat was).

* Benedict is uber-teething and he’s about ready to chew is hand off. He only gets good sleep when he has Motrin in his little system, which is so sad. We’re blaming his top front teeth, which look like they’re JUST about ready to pop out. God willing they’ll pop out soon.

* A special intention.

* Greg’s Grandparents. His Grandmother had some surgery that has made her feel LOADS better, but his Grandfather is still in failing health.

+ For Lt. BIL, safe travels overseas and eventually to Afghanistan, for safety in Afghanistan and a speedy return home.
+ For Greg’s Grandparents, who are experiencing poor health.
+ For low stress while getting everything together for the birthday party.
+ For holiness of our little family.
+ To follow God’s will, regardless of what that entails.
+ For Greg’s ICP site to be closed, we travel on Monday to get the stitches removed (and probably another shunt adjustment).

We love you, Elise!!

Not too long after I wrote about the CSF leak that had been glued shut, Greg came home and had me look at his head. And sure enough, it was still leaking. We did just as The Neurosurgeon asked which was drop everything and head in. We packed up some overnight stuff and gave the kids lunch, and off we went.

The Neurosurgeon ended up re-stitching the ICP site shut and deduced that Greg’s head was at too high a pressure since the ICP site was leaking in the first place. He turned his shunt down to 90mmHg and off we went. Greg has to sleep in a recliner for the next week or so while his head gets used to the new pressure.

We go back on the 30th to take the new stitches out. Unless, of course; Greg has any reactions to the new pressure.

The kids are doing remarkably well despite the fact that who knows when we’ll need to drop everything and go on a very long drive. I’m going to get some Car Toys and keep them out in the Mom-Mobile for the sole purpose of entertaining Elise when we go. Poor Benedict is still teething something fierce so for the scheduled appointments, I’m going to freeze a washrag in breast milk for him to chew on (and still get some yummy comfort milk at the same time).

So now back to the grind (again). I need to basically pick up where I left off yesterday – laundry, mainly. Maybe today I can get a nap in.

Needless to say, the surgery was a total success. His nurse tonight said the goal is to get him out of ICU tomorrow.

DEO GRATIAS!!!!!!!!!

His nurse is arranging for a priest to bring him the Eucharist. We are doing much, MUCH better today. Your prayers are helping so much, thank you all for them.

I did find the iPod charger, as well.

Please pray that the NS can make the best decision possible with the least amount of pain for Greg.

I need to find the iPod charger, so I can keep updating! :-/

I am doing my best to help keep his spirits up and spend some time with the kids each day. I have help with the kids thank God. This is very, very hard though (no surprise, right?).

I suppose I should go eat sonething while he sleeps.

He tolerated the tie off well but developed hydrocephalus right away. He had emergency surgery to untie the shunt and have a pressure monitor installed. The Neurosurgeon is going to keep the monitor in until Tuesday at minimum. Greg will be In ICU until the monitor comes out.

The NS will put in a new shunt valve sometime next week. He wants to get the brain pressure up to normal which is very painful for Greg who has been at low pressure for so long.

Greg did have the anointing of the sick done Thursday and received Jesus in the Eucharist this morning, thank God.

Pray for him, please. I don’t know how long we’ll be here. I’ll try to update when things change.