Wednesday, January 30, 2008

MRI Results :-(

Dr. Fieu and Dr. Osgthorpe came in and told us the MRI result. The said he has severe involvement of the white matter in the brain. It is involving several different places in his brain and even into his brainstem. The called it cytotoxic inflammation in the brain (toxic effects in the cells are causing the swelling). It is extensive and severe but young brains are resilient and adaptable. There is also swelling in the brainstem however this is the tissue around the cells are swelling (this explains the posturing) so that is more likely to be reversible. There currently is no abseses that are visible that the antibiotics could not reach but they will probably do weekly MRI's to monitor that. It may be 4-7 days before he shows any improvement and he possiblly could worsen a little before we see that improvement. The infection, has proven to be very sensitive to the antibiotics even to the point he believes it may be completely dead but the reason he feels that the MRI is so impressive is because the organism was so aggressive and there was so much of it. There is no way right now to tell what this all will mean down the road. Young brains have better ability to heal and reorganize than our old used up ones.

9 comments:

Wilson 5 said...

OK, guys, I am still praying like crazy...hang in there....Love you.

Future OB/GYN said...

I just found this blog and now I can't stop checking it ever 10 seconds for updates! You guys are in my thoughts and prayers, and I hope Charlie Cooper will be better very soon! Good luck...and thanks for all of the updates!

Anonymous said...

We are so sorry to hear about cooper. We hope and pray that this can will become just a memory of a scary time and He will be better soon. You and cooper are in our thoughts and prayers.

Susan's neighbor Liz Bodkin, her family, and the "ladies".

Anonymous said...

I love you Ang and Rob. You are both so strong. If anyone can do this you guys can. We love you.
Stefanie, Torrey, Tristan and Hope

Meghan said...

that was not my favorite post ever. please work on that for next time. i believe charlie must start feeling better soon with all that nutrition he is getting... you know how he gets when he is hungry...
brit is doing good. they played so hard...they have both slept for like 3 hours now (yay). check out my blog to see the excapades of last night if you need a smile.

i love you guys and that little man with my whole heart. my heart hurts right now, but i will not stop praying. god works in mysterious ways...

Dawn said...

Angel and Rob - My thoughts and prayers are with all of you. I was flabbergasted to hear of this. I know that Charlie is in the very best hands he could be in, and I know that faith and love will be the thing to pull all of you through this.(GREAT DOC'S ARE A PLUS AS WELL.) If I can do ANYTHING to help you, please don't hesitate to call me. MY LOVE TO ALL OF YOU! Dawn Christensen.

Anonymous said...

I ditto what Meg said and I know that Charlie is in the best hands possible. When Kenny had her baby and it was down in Las Vegas... all I ever hoped for was her to be in SLC in Primary. It is a great place. How lucky the little guy is to have a mom that is a nurse and dad with medical experience as well. He is in awesome hands.. Once again, please know I check this often,,, it is even a "shortcut" on my computer. I love you, Jill

Peterson Fam said...

like wuggs, i too am still praying and checking in...love you so much.
loni

Anonymous said...

Rob and Angel,

I can't think of anything worse than seeing your child so sick. My heart aches for you. You are all in our prayers.

John and Lorie Mitchell