What we know so far

Donovan's surgery is scheduled for May 12th. We'll venture to the hospital at 5:00AM for the prep work. The surgery is scheduled to begin at 7:30 and is excpected to last four to five hours. Donovan's first two days will be spent laying on his back but being turned on a regular basis. We understand that the neurosurgeon, Dr. Skarli, will provide us with medication to help Dononvan build up pain control even before the surgery and that he will have an epidural until he can tolerate the pain following the surgery. This is huge for us as we've read stories of children having a great deal of pain. Once Donovan can control his pain, can move, eat, and all the good stuff that goes along with it, they will move him to Mary Free Bed; somewhere between four to six days.

One of the reasons we chose the team at DeVos is our trust in their meticulous approach to this procedure. Dononvan's spasticity is most limiting in his legs. When they perform the Rhizotomy, the neurosurgeon will access the nerve roots at a single vertebrae. Along with the neurosurgeon, the neurologist will use EMG (electromyography) to monitor the activity of muscles as they stimulate the nerve. When they find an over-reaction, they will severe the nerve root(s). It is quite amazing that this procedure exists and we are so grateful to have this talented team available in our own backyard.

We won't know how much change the Rhizotomy will bring Donovan until he is through the surgery but we have been told he may have very limited use of his legs at first. The procedure will essentially eliminate the false strength of his spacticity which will allow him to re-learn how to use his legs with better muscle use. In practical terms, it is our hope that he will be able to walk and run easier, be able to kick a ball, be able to jump (something he asked Santa for), be less likely to fall, and be better able to keep up with his siblings and friends.

All this learning will come with a lot of hard work for Donovan. Once at MFB, he'll be in the therapy room from 8:00am to 11:30 and again from 1:00 to 4:00. MFB is an excellent facility and we trust they will know Donovan's limits and will work within them during these therapy times. Once Donovan comes home, he'll continue with out-patient therapy 3 times per week for six months, then 2 times per week for the next six months.

This Rhizotomy is not a cure for Donovan's CP symptoms. We hear that 50% of kids with this procedure still need further orthopedic surguries. We know this will be a life long journey for Donovan. Our focus is simply on reducing the needs for future surgeries and optomizing Donovan's abilities.