If you know anyone having surgery in Houston today...

[hilary1617]

4:01 pm: Update from medical team. All is well. Next update from doctors to be provided in two hours.

 

[hilary1617]

6:51pm: Good news! Liam is out and ok. Surgery went really well. Great outcome. The tumor has been removed. No cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak. Some BP issues at the start, but those resolved and nothing like the pulse/BP roller coaster he experienced last time. This time, he had a calm awakening, with no attempts on his end to remove his IV's or flee when the anesthesia was lifted!

This time, they were able to enter from his nose instead of his lip, which will make Liam happy. However, his nostrils are still small and so there was a bit of a tear they had to stitch up. First thing, Dr. M skimmed off some of the patch from the prior CSF leak in order to get the tools past it. He looked at the left side where the previous tumor had been removed. On the left side, he cleaned up some scar tissue and then examined an MRI shadow/spot that proved to be nothing. Then he moved to the right side where he successfully removed the new tumor that had been visualized on MRI. They then spent a lot of time watching him to make sure there was no CSF leak and no excessive bleeding. Liam is sleeping now.

I am very happy!!!!

 

[southernlady]

Glad to hear he’s out of surgery, that it went well, and he’s on to the healing.

 

[Susan in Tennessee]

6:51pm: Good news! Liam is out and ok. Surgery went really well. Great outcome. The tumor has been removed. No cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak. Some BP issues at the start, but those resolved and nothing like the pulse/BP roller coaster he experienced last time. This time, he had a calm awakening, with no attempts on his end to remove his IV's or flee when the anesthesia was lifted!

This time, they were able to enter from his nose instead of his lip, which will make Liam happy. However, his nostrils are still small and so there was a bit of a tear they had to stitch up. First thing, Dr. M skimmed off some of the patch from the prior CSF leak in order to get the tools past it. He looked at the left side where the previous tumor had been removed. On the left side, he cleaned up some scar tissue and then examined an MRI shadow/spot that proved to be nothing. Then he moved to the right side where he successfully removed the new tumor that had been visualized on MRI. They then spent a lot of time watching him to make sure there was no CSF leak and no excessive bleeding. Liam is sleeping now.

I am very happy!!!!

Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful! I’m so happy for your son and you and your whole family!

 

[JackieOnLine]

a very good report!

 

[Larra]

Great news! The chicken and I will rest easy now.

 

[Munchkin]

Very happy for all you. Great news!

 

[hilary1617]

All, thanks for the support and for joining in our delight at the outcome! Liam is being moved out of PICU into standard care today. Couldn't have gone better!

 

[JackieOnLine]

so glad to hear it! what a relief for all of you.

 

[Spiky Bugger]

All, thanks for the support and for joining in our delight at the outcome! Liam is being moved out of PICU into standard care today. Couldn't have gone better!

Liam:




hilary1617 :

 

[MsVee]

I am so glad Liam is doing well.

 

[hilary1617]

I don't want to get my hopes up - as it has been a long 5 years that he has been at this battle - BUT he's doing so well I think they DID get all of the tumor out. I am worn out and happy and feel so lucky.

 

[hilary1617]

Good news! Liam is recovering well and may even be discharged tomorrow.

Thought I would take a moment and share some information on Liam's condition, Cushing's Disease.

It is a very serious condition caused by tumors in the pituitary, the master gland at the base of the brain that controls the body's endocrine system. Cushing's causes very high levels of the stress hormone, cortisol, which leads to heart disease, among many other detrimental effects. Untreated it can be fatal. There are no good medications available for long term use; the drugs available have serious side effects (e.g. liver damage).

These pictures below show Liam before his first tumor, and 18 months later, after that tumor had taken hold.

Risks of the surgery include blindness, stroke, and coma. Coming out of this surgery, which we hope is curative, his recovery will take a long time as he weans off replacement steriods / hormones. Every few weeks his dose drops down and he experiences withdrawal symptoms. Last surgery, he missed a total of 15 weeks of school (his freshman year) and it took 18 months of illness for him to come off the meds.

https://csrf.net/understanding-cushings/pediatric-cushings/early-identification/

 

[Larra]

I hope this surgery is curative for Liam and that he has a smooth recovery and taper off steroids. He sounds like a terrific young man.

 

[hilary1617]

I hope this surgery is curative for Liam and that he has a smooth recovery and taper off steroids. He sounds like a terrific young man.

I'm a little biased, but can honestly say he is the kindest, most empathetic, bravest soul I have ever known. He was born to help others; hoping this gives him the ability to feel well enough to do something with his life that makes a difference!