COMMUNITIES

Message From the Albanos

Michelle Albano, HS Science Teacher

Posted Thursday, 14-Jul-2005 8:30 AM

Ethan Albano was confined twice at the Philippine Children's Medical Center (PCMC) in his first two months.  Immediately after birth, he was brought to PCMC to treat his myelo-meningocele, a congenital defect in which the thoracic-lumbar part did not close thereby exposing his spine.  An operation was needed within 48 hours to prevent infection.  A week after, a shunt was placed in his head going to the stomach, this time to address his hydrocephalus (presence of a large amount of cerebral spine fluid in the brain).  We stayed in the hospital for over a month because the doctors had to treat the bacteria found in his blood.  Ethan also had to undergo various tests to see the status of the shunt as well as the fluid in his head.

When we were discharged from the hospital, Ethan had a CT-Scan which revealed a considerable amount of fluid in the brain.  Thus, another operation was needed.  We also had him checked by his pediatrician who discovered that he had hernia which required another operation.  The pedia also asked that Ethan undergo a 2D-Echo test because she heard heart murmurs.  So, a week later, we returned to PCMC and Ethan had his second operation on the head and a third one for hernia.  We stayed in the hospital for more than a week and then we just continued his antibiotics at home.

At present, Ethan's wounds in the head and stomach have completely healed.  His back wound has already closed but is still in the process of drying up completely from within.  His neuro-surgeon said that the shunt is now draining both sides of the brain, which it failed to do at first because Ethan's case was a non-communicating type (no passage from the left going to the right brain and vice-versa).

All in all, Ethan survived five operations.  His feet are now being

rehabilitated through thereapy thrice a week which will continue until, God-willing, he can move his legs and feet.  Most meningocele patients (especially those affecting the lower extremities) end up club-footed and unable to walk.  From the time of birth, there are improvements in that now he can raise his legs and slightly bend his knees and feet.  The shunt placed in the head going to the stomach has been functioning according to his neuro-surgeon and the fluid in the brain has been reduced considerably.  The shunt will be in place permanently, unless he outgrows it or malfunction occurs, in which case another operation will be needed to put a new shunt.

Ethan is now 10 pounds from around 4 at birth.  He can now lift his head and cries loudly.  Likewise, he can now see objects and has a good ear.  His brother, Luke, who is very fond of him, often plays with Ethan when he comes home from school.  Luke also helps out in changing Ethan's diapers.

We will know the full effects of both meningocele and hydrocephalus when Ethan reaches two years old.  The possibilities given by the doctors: wheelchair-bound for life, seizures, retardation, unable to control peeing, among others.  Still, we leave everything to the Almighty Creator who has His pleasing and perfect will.

Our hearts are just grateful for how the Lord has shown that He is the Sovereign God who is in control of all things including the seemingly painful and difficult situations of life.  We are thankful for how he has sustained our physical strength and lifted our spirits.  We were amazed at how He touched the hearts of the people who extended help in whatever way they could.  We were greatly encouraged hearing people say they are upholding us in their prayers.

Truly, "His grace is sufficient for us, for power is perfected in weakness."

Thank you all for the prayers and other means of support you have extended to our family during the past two months.  We are just awed by God's loving mercy as we are being sustained by His grace day by day.

Michelle Albano is one of our High School Science Teachers.  Let us all continue to pray for Ethan's full recovery.

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