Hi. My 6 year old daughter has a 11mm fusiform aneurysm. It is on her MCA and opens up to two arteries. She is not a candidate for flow diverter. Right now we are waiting until May for her next scan to see if it has grown. CHOP wants us to act sooner rather than later. They said they want to repair it with a bypass. From my understanding they will take a healthy blood vessel and take the aneurysm out and replace it. We appreciate all of the prayers and positive thoughts.
Welcome Bliss! Thanks for starting a new topic. I canāt imagine the concern or perhaps even fear youāre undergoing right now, please take time to breathe. Iām guessing CHOP is Childrenās Hospital of Philadelphia. Iām a bit confused on why CHOP wants it done sooner but someoneās suggested wait until May for more imaging. Do you have a different neurosurgeon? Have you reached out for a second opinion? Definitely keeping my thoughts and prayers with you and your family.
Our initial Neurosurgeon is at UVA and CHOP is our second opinion. Itās been confusing talking to multiple neurosurgeons at UVA with different opinions vs what CHOP is saying. We talk to Boston on 3/17
Thanks for clarifying that! I know my neurosurgeon does pediatric brain surgery down south of you at WFBH in Winston Salem. Her name is Dr. Stacey Quintero-Wolfe although I think sheās just going by Wolfe now. She does the pediatric surgery at Brenners, itās all at the same place. Brennerās is a really excellent pediatric hospital. I once laid on the procedure table while she was doing surgery on a 5 year old. She told her team I wouldnāt mind she was late and when she came bustling in and told me she had emergency surgery on the little one, all I wanted to know was if he was ok. Yes, he was! Of course there is also Duke, which is probably the best in NC for many things.
Remember to breathe take some breaks from trying to figure out what the internet is saying and not saying, it can get frustratingly scary on it.
Hi @Bnuckols,
How good of you to reach out to let us all know what your family is going through. So, to your request: will I send you prayers, healing energy, and positive thoughts?! ABSOLUTELY! I have been doing so already and will continue to do so! We are here for you with whatever questions or even just to hear you vent, please never hesitate to reach out!
Like @Moltroub, I canāt even begin to imagine all that you are undergoing emotionally at this time. After I ruptured, I was really encouraged to start practicing mindfulness to help manage the stress. Trust me, it would NOT have been my kind of thing beforehand, but I do find it really helps!, and my watches show that they do calm me down.
There are many different types of breathing exercises, but while I was out walking thinking of you, I thought maybe āBee Breathā would be of help as it is a great one for kids would probably have fun with it too!
I am linking to two versions below: one for kids, and one that I use that is more for adults (although certainly kids could participate, it just might be a little long and boring for them!).
That is great you are getting second and third opinions to get different perspectives, albeit that can be a bit challenging to sort through. What have you heard from UVA in terms of their approach?
Sending out lots of hugs to all of you!!!
We will absolutely keep your daughter and your family in our thoughts and prayers. Iām saddened to read of such a young one experiencing a brain aneurysm. This must be very hard for you, too, as her mother. Weāll be hoping for the best possible outcome, and for speed, focus and clarity in her care. ![]()
Iām saying prayers for you and your daughter.
Thank you so much for the reply and the videos! My kiddos and I will look at them today!
UVA is wanting to watch and wait. If it is growing then I think they will want to start talking surgery.
Thank you!!
Huge hugs and strong vibes of love, hope, healing, wisdom, and patience. Please know you and your daughter are in my thoughts.
Sending positive thoughts and hugs to you and your family. Sue
This is a great group to bounce things off, I would get a second opinion for sure.
Sending prayers and positive thoughts to you and your family!
I can only imagine the stress and anxiety that you and your family are experiencing. Iām sending you all prayers and good energy. Hugs to you and your little one.
Hi @BlissN -
Just sending good thoughts your way, as I know tomorrow is the meeting with Boston. Most importantly I hope that you are able to discern what is the right path for all of you. Certainly if you get a chance, please let us know what their recommendation is, and if we can help answer any questions from the patient side we are here for you!
Fin Whale Fan ![]()
Iām with @FinWhaleFan on the meeting with Boston tomorrow! Do you have your list of questions written down? It will help the meeting be more productive for you.
After being told that flow diverter stent wasnāt an option from CHOP we went back to UVA Wednesday and they said that they do not agree with that. So we overnighted her imaging to Dr. Peter Nelson at NYU and he said she is definitely a candidate for flow diverter stent. So much hope in our call with him today. What an intelligent lovely man he is. We still talk to Boston tomorrow just to gather all info we can. But pretty sure my heart is telling me to work with Dr. Nelson. Her next scan is in May to see if there is any growth and then we can make a plan.
Wow what news to hear already! And certainly Dr. Nelson gets a lot of
from me since he invented the Pipeline flow diverter that is in my brain so I have a lot of respect for him.
Still great to meet and hear what Boston has to say tomorrow, but it sure seems like a plan is coming together, and you all must have at least some measure of relief! Thanks for sharing the update, and those good thoughts are still heading out your way!!
Itās great to read of hope! Iām glad you found him and that youāve got a great impression as well. What impresses me the most is your tenacity in finding a surgeon who is the best for your daughter. Well done!