October 10, 2010, Aidan's surgery dates set

 October 10, 2010

When our youngest grandson, Aidan Penner, was born nearly eleven years ago, it was discovered that he had suffered a stroke a few days before while still in the womb, and that part of the left side of his brain was damaged. We feared he would be handicapped in some way, but our fears turned to joy as he grew up showing minimal effects. He lived normal life until about two years ago when he started suffering seizures.

Brain Surgery

His seizures continue to increase in frequency, duration, and severity, even with anti-seizure medication, and now Aidan is facing brain surgery to remove the part of the left side of his brain that is non-functioning and interfering with the functioning part of his brain.

The surgery will be done in two parts, the first on November 15 to install an electronic sensor plate on the left side of his brain that will monitor and record which parts of his brain are still functioning, and what body functions they control.

On November 24, after ten days of 24-hour monitoring and testing, the surgeons will remove the sensor plate, and very carefully remove the non-functioning parts of the left side of his brain in order to reduce the severity of the seizures. The danger is that they will also need to remove some parts that are still functioning.

Negative Effects

He will almost surely lose right side peripheral vision in both eyes. He will suffer some sort of lameness to his whole right side. The possibilities range from some weakness in the arm and leg to total paralysis of his right side. Since his language skills are above average, the doctors believe the brain has already rewired this function from the normal left side to the right side of the brain. If not, he might lose some language function.

Specific Prayer Needed

Aidan’s parents, Keith and Cheryl Penner, who need you to pray for them too, wrote a letter giving more details. Here are some excerpts from that letter to pray for:

1. That Aidan will be miraculously healed. That his seizures will stop and he will be able to return to the life of a normal ten year old boy.
2. That the operations will be safe and he will heal quickly and without complications.
3. That the sensor plate will be effective and gather useful data.
4. That the seizures will be originating in a location that does not have another function attached.
5. That there will be no physical, emotional, or intellectual damage to Aidan from the surgery.
6. That we will be able to prepare Aidan adequately for the surgeries, recovery, and the possible negative consequences of the surgery.
7. That the surgeon will make wise decisions and that God would guide his hand.
8. That the surgeon, and God, will understand that while they are operating on Aidan’s brain they are operating on our hearts.
9. That Savannah will not feel “lost” in the chaos revolving around her younger brother, Aidan.