I just wanted to update you on my grandson's AVM.

dawn_mo

dawn_mo

Well-known member
My stepdaughter researched and researched and finally found a doctor who specializes in AVM surgery. His name is Dr. Spetzler and he is out of St. Joseph's Hospital in Phoenix.

He looked at all of Luke's medical records and tests to date and told my stepdaughter he was confident that he could surgically remove it. Luke went in and had an embolization on the 12th, another embolization on the 13th and the craniotomy was completed then also. It was a 13 hour surgery.

My grandson is now in recovery, slowly starting to eat and such, and the surgery was a complete success. The AVM is 100% gone. All of his brain waves are normal, and he will be a happy healthy little boy again. I feel like I have witnessed a miracle. After all of the stress our family has gone through, and the ordeal that Luke has gone through, it feels so good to be happy again.

The support that we have all gotten from our friends, family and community has been overwhelming. I can't stop smiling! Thanks everyone!

If anyone would like to contact my stepdaughter regarding AVM, please email me and I will pass it on to her. I am urging her to become an advocate for this medical condition because there just isn't much out there about it, as far as support groups and such.

 
What great news! I'm smiling reading your post.I can't imagine how your cheeks must be hurting! : )

 
Your step-daughter is so smart -- it really is up to us to see what help is available out there,

Not just rely on what one doctors says. They all have their specialties and can't know everything (although they would like you to think that *g*). This is such good news, and thanks to God who specializes in miracles smileys/smile.gif

 
What a stupendous update! I'm so happy 4 you and yours. How old is yr GS? May he get well soon!

 
He is only eight years old and one of the strongest people I have evern known. He is amazing.

When he was told that he qualified for "Make A Wish", his mom asked him what he would like to wish for, and he answered world peace, where no one would get hurt. I cannot even type that without tearing up. We opted not to "Make A Wish" as it seemed like that would make his case, one of a dying child, and that was not acceptable. He did get to do the dolphin encounter at Sea World and he loved that.

 
If anyone is interested you can read about his journey on a site called Caring Bridge.

It is a site set up for people with illnesses and such, where people can check in and see journal entries and keep up with everything. My stepdaughter was able to let people know what was going on without constantly being on the phone or texting. If you go to this site, type in lukebowie as the site you want to visit. It is really quite amazing and my stepdaughter is a beautiful writer, mother and daughter.

 
St. Joseph's Hospital and The Barrow Neurological Institute it houses is ...

...one of the top hospitals in the country of neurological issues. He was in the best facility possible!

I'm so happy for you, your family and your grandson! What a fantastic outcome.

If there's anything I can do for your family here in Phoenix, please let me know.

Michael

 
Dawn_MO--I love that site & have followed the journeys of 3 different ladies on it. 4 those of U who

are new to it, you should key in 'www.caringbridge.org' and then type in the site name Dawn noted in her post.

Zowie, it always tugs at my heart strings when serious diseases happen to such young children. Luke is certainly a brave young man. May he enjoy a speedy recovery!

www.caringbridge.org

 
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