Preparing for surgery

Posted on May 12, 2014 by jeffcuz

J.P. Surgery — J.P. recovers after shunt surgery in May 2013.

It’s always nice to have two superheroes pulling for you on the day before surgery.

J.P. got to meet Batman and Catwoman on Monday afternoon at Florida Hospital for Children.

It is looking more like J.P. won’ be returning to his Canine Companions training for at least a few more days.

Dr. Eric Trumble is J.P.’s neurosurgeon, and he has scheduled an exploratory shunt revision for Tuesday morning. He believes there could be an intermittent problem with it, so he’ll remove it and check all the parts before placing it back in his head if everything is OK. J.P.’s surgeon, Dr. Mark Chaet, will assist.

Those who have followed J.P.’s journey may recall there was a clog in his shunt in 2013 that also prompted a hospital stay. Trumble will be checking for that, too.

I have been in contact with Canine Companions, and they have assured me that the

Clogged shunt — Tubing from J.P.’s shunt revision in 2013.

match with our dog is solid. We won’t lose the dog and can resume training when J.P. is able.

J.P. will undergo a CT scan of his abdomen today, and he had a super IV line placed for IV nutrition. He will hopefully be able to restart normal feeds tomorrow after surgery.

I am really hoping that we’ll be able to have J.P. back to Canine Companions in time to meet his puppy raiser on Friday and make it for graduation at SeaWorld on Saturday. Please pray that all goes well with surgery and his recovery.

J.P.’s doctor said the dog needs to come to the hospital to visit J.P., and Canine Companions is trying to make that happen. I really appreciate how understanding the staff has been with this unexpected hospitalization.

I’ll post more tomorrow after surgery is completed and we have some idea about whether it resolves the vomiting problem.

I’ve also been told the first part of the series on team training at Canine Companions will air at 5 p.m. on WESH-TV. I’ll post the video here after it is posted on WESH.com.

http://www.wesh.com/news/canine-companions-help-people-overcome-physical-limitations/25940014#!MQR4y

Category: About Us, Canine Companions, Family, MedicalTags: canine companions, canine companions for independence, children with special needs, disabilities, Eric Trumble, family centered care, florida hospital, florida hospital for children, guide dogs, hydrocephalus, service dog, shunt surgery, special needs children, walt disney pavilion

2 Comments on “Preparing for surgery”

Susan Vaughen
May 12, 2014

Prayers for J.P.. Paige and you Jeff. Oh and for Karina too!!

Reply
Gerald Cousins
May 12, 2014

Jeff I am following the blog closely and getting updates from Catherine if you need anything just call. Hang in there. Karina looks great.

Reply