Rachel continues to be very tired and displaying the same neurological symptoms. Her blood culture has shown negative growth which means they cannot find a source/proof of an infection. Tonight the docs decided to do a CT scan. It revealed that her shunt is malfunctioning and fluid is building up on the brain. Now you remember that the VP shunt (Ventriculoperitoneal shunt) was placed in October 2007. Rachel needs a shunt because her spinal tumor has interrupted the normal flow of cerebral spinal fluid (CSF). When this happens, fluid builds on the brain creating intense pressure. The shunt diverts the CSF through a tube into the stomach. A shunt malfunction could mean several things. The doctor mentioned a few...
1. Protein cell buildup in the shunt (possibly protein=dead tumor cells?)
2. constipation (causes the pressure to back up)
3. A new growth in her abdomen
They are doing a CT scan of her abdomen this evening. This could possibly mean a surgery for her tomorrow if she needs a new shunt. She also will be moving to the pediatric intensive care unit for closer monitoring. We will post more when we know more.
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