Dallas, TX - finally found our NeuroSurgeon

Well, we have made the decision to go with Dr. Swift at Children's in Dallas, TX. 

Here is his bio:

Dale Swift, M.D.
Dr. Dale Swift was born in Lorain, Ohio. He attended the College of Wooster in Wooster, Ohio, where he graduated Phi Beta Kappa in 1980. He earned his M.D. at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine in Cleveland and was invited to join Alpha Omega Alpha, the national honor medical society.

Dr. Swift completed his surgical internship and residency in neurological surgery at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital in New York City. He completed a fellowship in pediatric neurosurgery at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh in 1992.

Since 1992, he has been an attending neurosurgeon at Children's Medical Center Dallas, Medical City Dallas Hospital and Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children. He is currently associate clinical professor of neurosurgery at The University of Texas Southwestern Medical School. Dr. Swift is certified by the American Board of Neurological Surgery and the American Board of Pediatric Neurological Surgery.

Dr. Swift's research interests include the pathophysiology of Chiari malformations, neuroendoscopy in children and arachnoid cysts. He participates frequently in international pediatric neurosurgical training, most recently in Bangalore, India, under the auspices of the International Society of Pediatric Neurosurgery.

Here is a publication that he was involved with:

 Suboccipital decompression during posterior cranial vault remodeling for selected cases of Chiari malformations associated with craniosynostosis.
Scott, W. W.,Fearon, J. A.,Swift, D. M.,Sacco, D. J. 

Here is the facebook site.  He is the doctor that is the 2nd one from the left with a big smile :)

 https://www.facebook.com/Neurosurgeonsforchildren

This is a tv episode where Dr. Swift is featured.  

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R3myAl7xsJQ&feature=share 

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NNrB_pwym34&feature=share

This features Dr. Swift and his family 

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2wEfVPjWSUI&feature=share

So, anyways you get the idea.  There is a lot of info that we covered but the plan is:

New MRI's that measure the CSF flow called CINE that take place in Feb for both girls.  

Olivia will have surgery in March 2014.  She will have decompression, a dura patch and something done to her C1 spine, which I'll post more about as I understand that more.  She is also probably going to get cauterization of the cerebellar tonsils to shrink them back up.  

For now, I'm trying to cope and get through the nights.  Days are good.  Begin alone or trying to sleep without worry is almost impossible.  I just pray a lot.  

Hugs for all my fans that are going through this and who pray for us :)

 






  

Cerebellar Tonsillar Ectopia

So just found out another kid has Chiari.  Well, actually they labeled it Cerebellar Tonsillar Ectopia.  I have read it is because it doesn't meet the measurment guidlines for true Chiari.  But, I think that looking at the images

That it looks like anything BUT Chiari!  I mean it has a classic shape.  So, I am just going to be praying that this is going to remain stable.

Why did we get her MRI done? Well, honestly because for years we have known something wasn't "right".  The fine motor issues are getting better, but at 12 you should be able to open packages and door knobs!  Things like handwriting in school, super slow.  Gross motor issues have now got a new name of hypotonia.  So, yea, I think the Chiari has affected her over time for sure.  This is more proof to me that the size of the herniation doesn't matter.  My 4yr old's herniation isn't that bad at all, yet she has significant (actually the docs call it "compelling") syringomyelia. 

The plan for now?  Physical therapy to increase muscle strength, and working out at the gym.  Weight gain is a concern with the limited activity that goes on due to being tired easily. 

The goal is to live a great life, a healthy life, and a full of God life.  :)