The good, the bad and the UGH!!!

Last week I met with Urology and Neurology to look at Julia's latest test results.  Her latest MRI shows that her spinal cord is tethered to the fat on her back.  Your spinal cord is supposed to float freely and hers is stuck.  This screws up all the signals it's supposed to be sending out.  It is very likely why her knee contractures haven't improved.  So, the Neurosurgeon will be un-sticking it and cleaning out scar tissue and fat next week.  The surgery is supposed to be 6 hours.  UGH!  She said she may or may not regain some function.......of course her mother is praying for that! On the Urology side of things the good news is her bladder is now considered large......the bad news.....she's not emptying it fully.  This could cause infections and damage to her kidneys.  The Urologist feels that she may return to her normal after her spinal cord has been released.  Let's pray for that!  The big bad news is that her spinal cord covering (the dura) is non-existent down near where her lesion was.  So, the Neurosurgeon will need to put a patch over it and put a drain in.......the drain stays in for 10-12 days.....and you know where Julia will need to be during that time......not resting at home with her sister......nope......in the hospital.............big UGH!  And the worst news of all??????  No visitors under 16.............and that includes Joy.............it's gonna be bad...........in fact we haven't told Joy yet............she is so stressed over Julia even going to the hospital...............it's gonna be bad................huge UGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Pray for us!!!!!!!!!!