Moe's Progress





We found out in March of this year that Moe was still leaking spinal fluid.  Moe had his first surgery last year in Spring, to repair the leak, but unfortunately it did not work.  When he complained of his headaches to his doctors, they all thought his headaches were a result of withdrawals from the cocktail of pain medications he was using.

 

Needless to say, the doctors were wrong.  We were told the headaches for withdrawals can last up to a year.  So we did our research and gave him the help he needed to deal with that. 

 

I don't want to blame the doctors for not correctly diagnosing Moe because he has an incredibly high tolerance for pain. And because of that- he was diagnosed incorrectly.

 

We finally took him to a  specialist who correctly diagnosed the problem- he was amazed that Moe dealt with that type of pain for over a year.

 

His specialist said it's almost impossible for people with  cerebrospinal fluid leaks to be able to function like Moe did for an entire year.  Despite the pain he endured, Moe took over 20 units in college and maintained over a 3.0 GPA. 

 

 Moe said his pain felt as if he was repeatedly being kicked in the head. The only time he felt some relief was when he was lying down.

 

It's a testament to Moe's mental discipline to work through pain.  Yet, I wish he didn't have to go through that.  



 

Moe had his surgery the day after his birthday.  We took him to the Stanford clinic and within a few hours- he was ready to go home.  I was grateful that my mother-in law stayed behind to cook us a home cooked meal and cleaned up the entire house!  She was very helpful.

 



 

 Moe is doing a lot better and the surgery worked- no more CSF leaks!

  It breaks my heart when he tells me that because of the pain he was in- the past year was a blur.

We have entered another phase in his recovery. 

Though he looks very healthy- he's dealing with problems with the scar tissue where the surgery was done to repair the leak.  And his doctor suspects that he may be having problems with his thyroid.

We knew that his recovery might take longer so Moe is staying home this semester and taking classes online before he transfers next year.

He's undergoing more tests, but his doctor's believe that a series of IV treatments will help him get better.

Moe is optimistic and yes..... he still wants to play football.

RM and I are trying to mentally prepare him that he may need to put his dreams of playing football to rest.

He doesn't want to quit his dreams of playing football.  When I asked him why, this is what he said:

"I have to give it one more try.  I know I'm good.  I have to give it one more shot, and if I get sick , or my body fails me....at least I know that I tried."

My son is my inspiration.

It's his face that I picture when I'm asked to do something beyond my comfort zone.

It is his courage and his tenacity that motivated me to give my first speech at Toastmasters.

It is his faith and endurance that uplifts me.

I don't know if football is in Moe's future, but there is no doubt, that whatever he pursues in life - he will be successful.