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Updated 14 January, 2004.
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The Story so far ......
December 20, 2000 - Megan was born a healthy 3.990 kg (8lb 14oz). January 25, 2001 - Megan was admitted to Monash Medical Centre with hydrocephalus and was scheduled for an MRI scan. MRI scan performed without a GA. Another scan scheduled for 29th January. January 26, 2001 - (Australia Day) Megan was diagnosed with a brain tumour. January 29, 2001 - MRI scan. Tumour approximately 3 x 2 x 1 cms. January 30, 2001 - Surgery to have bi-lateral VP shunts to reduce the pressure in her head. February 1, 2001 - CT scan to check shunts. February 9, 2001 - Brain and Spinal MRI performed as a baseline for commencement of treatment at Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne. Tumour approximately 5.5 x 4.3 x 3.2 cms. February 12, 2001 - Admitted to RCH - tumour described as "tripling in size" February 13, 2001 - Surgery to insert a central line. A central line is used for giving chemotherapy. 1st course of chemotherapy commenced. February 16, 2001 - Back into surgery to fix a leaking central line. February 20, 2001 - Third attempt at fixing the central line. February 21, 2001 - CT Scan performed. Life saving brain surgery to "buy Megan some time". Tumour was diagnosed as an immature teratoma. This is rare tumour especially in someone Megan's age. February 22, 2001 - MRI scan shows tumour 5 x 4.2 x 5.2 cms. February 25, 2001 - Planned brain surgery to remove tumour - 10 hour procedure. Approx 1/3 - 1/2 of the tumour was removed. February 26, 2001 - MRI scan. Unclear if tumour has grown. March 2, 2001 - 2nd course of chemotherapy commenced. March 15, 2001 - MRI Scan - results prove inconclusive as to tumour growth and the decision is made to continue with chemotherapy. March 21, 2001 - CT scan shows a build up of CSF. Surgery scheduled. March 22, 2001 - Surgery for a shunt revision. March 23, 2001 - 3rd course of chemotherapy commenced. March 26, 2001 - CT scan shows a marginal increase in tumour size. April 11, 2001 - MRI Scan - results compared with scan on the 15th March and show a small but definite growth of the tumour and chemotherapy is deemed ineffective. April 26, 2001 - Pre-op MRI scan. Compared with MRI scan on April 11. Tumour is 4.7 x 6 x 7.2 cms. April 29, 2001 - Planned surgery for the removal of Megan's tumour - 18 hour procedure. Megan goes to ICU post-op. April 30, 2001 - MRI scan shows a complete re-section of the tumour. No residual tumour visible on the scan. May 1, 2001 - Megan returns to the ward. May 15, 2001 - MRI Scan - results are inconclusive once again. A small section is highlighted on the scan with contrast and there is a question as to whether this is tumour regrowth or post operative blood. May 29, 2001 - MRI scan performed at 11:45. May 30, 2001 – A day we will remember for a long time to come. MRI scan was CLEAR! No TUMOUR GROWTH!!!! An eye test confirms Megan has some sight as she followed a light. July 31, 2001 - 3 month post op MRI Scan. August 1, 2001 - 3 month post op MRI Scan shows "no evidence of tumour recurrence". November 4, 2001 - 6 month post op MRI Scan considered STABLE. January 15, 2002 - Surgery to clamp bi lateral VP shunts. January 18, 2002 - CT scan shows no definitive difference in ventricle size post shunt-clamping (despite continued vomiting). January 20, 2002 - Another CT scan once again shows no definitive difference in ventricle size. January 23, 2002 - Surgery to unclamp the right shunt as ventricle pressure is tested and is 26 (normal range is 0-15). Left shunt remains clamped. January 31, 2002 - CT scan shows ventricle size unchanged. Feeding refusal put down to faecal loading. February 4, 2002 - MRI scan (9 month post Op) shows NO EVIDENCE of tumour. May 21, 2002 - MRI scan (1 year post Op) continues to show NO EVIDENCE of tumour. August 26, 2002 - MRI scan (16 months post Op) continues to show NO EVIDENCE of tumour. MRI scans will now be 6 monthly. January 21, 2003 - MRI scan (21 months post Op) continues to show NO EVIDENCE of tumour. July 15, 2003 - MRI scan (27 months post Op) continues to show NO EVIDENCE of tumour. July 21, 2003 - CT scan show slight increase in ventricles. Symptoms of vomiting & extreme irritability, and eventually drowsiness result in surgery to revise blocked shunt. Pressure very high. July 22, 2003 - (2am)CT scan as symptoms of blocked shunt continue. Inconclusive as to increased ventricles. July 23, 2003 - (3am)CT scan as symptoms still continue. Surgery results and new shunt revision is found blocked. July 23, 2003 - Surgery to insert external drain to prevent blockage of shunt and monitor pressure. July 24, 2003 - MRI scan to rule out damage as Megan presents with bradycardia and bradypnea. Results show no significant damage. August 1, 2003 - Surgery for PEG insertion. August 4, 2003 - Surgery to insert femoral line for administration of IV anti-biotics due to opening and exposure of shunt wound. October 17, 2003 - Surgery for PEG change to MicKey button. December 14, 2003 - CT scan shows slit ventricles. Megan will need a shunt revision as she is now "over-shunting". December 17, 2003 - Shunt revision surgery. Shunt valve is now a "flow valve" rather than a pressure valve. December 30, 2003 - CT scan in Horsham on way back to Melbourne from Adelaide. Shows enlarged ventricles and decision is made to be flown by Air Ambulance to Melbourne. January 1, 2004 - (4am)CT scan shows ventricle size unchanged. Symptoms of blocked shunt persisting. Shunt revision surgery. Shunt catheter is now placed at front of head and connected with tubing to valve at the back. ICP monitor is placed to monitor pressure. Megan has the dubious "honour" of having the first operation at Melbourne RCH for 2004. CT scan to ensure everything is in correct position. January 2, 2004 - (3am)CT scan shows ventricle size unchanged. ICP fluctuating. January 4, 2004 - ICP monitor removed once pressure stabilises. January 12, 2004 - MRI scan (33 months post Op) continues to show NO EVIDENCE of tumour. MRI scans will now be yearly
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