CSF and Living Water

“If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Rivers of living water will brim and spill out of the depths of anyone who believes in me this way, just as the Scripture says.” John 7:38 – The Message

In my first post, I asked for prayer regarding an additional MRI that I needed to have prior to my surgery. Although this was the most uncomfortable MRI yet (1.5 hours), my good friend Alison Acone kept me company and prayed for me while my body lay still inside that amazing, highly sophisticated tube. It still blows me away that we have the ability to see inside the body, and I’m more grateful for that reality now than ever before!

This MRI was to check the CSF (Cerebral Spinal Fluid) flow between the Brain and Spinal Chord. The MRI did in fact confirm that the flow is limited. This finding just further emphasizes the doctor’s diagnosis and treatment plan, which is good news!

My surgeon was also concerned about how far the build up of CSF went down my spine, as the first MRI didn’t show the syrinx (fluid filled cavity within the spinal cord) as having an ending point. If the syrinx went further down my spine, other procedures would be necessary to remove the fluid.

Here’s the good news: The syrinx is only located in my cervical spine! This means that my Thoracic, Lumbar, and Sacral spine are completely normal!

What does this mean? It means that the surgeon can focus on the problem area and not worry about the rest of my spine in the process.

Praise God!

Thank you for your continued prayers!

11 days until surgery…

John