Learning with the Fang

UPDATE #2:

Mandy saw Miles yesterday and reports that even amid some very nasty swelling things continue to progress well.  The swelling is likely to get worse before it gets better and there is some risk of seizures, so it is best not to try and visit the hospital until further notice.  Will update this post with any major news, but watch my personal blog (http://mikese.spaces.live.com) for more frequent news.

UPDATE #1:

Miles went into surgery yesterday with a very positive attitude and supportive family. Just got an update from Dave to say he made it through a successfull 4 hour procedure and is in intensive care. The signs so far are good, scroll to the bottom of this post for more detail. A hearty round of applause from team Fang (and subscribers) can be heard in the distance.

This is the view from the drum-kit of young Miles who is fighting (another) battle for life. We are all thinking, praying, rooting and working hard for him.

More Detail:

After the longest day, we have good news to share.

The surgeons performed 4 hours of brain surgery on Miles this morning, and
successfully removed all of the AVM (abnormal vessel mass) that was the
cause of his problems. The surgeons called us from the operating room to
confirm their success after conducting an angiogram to see pictures of his
“new” brain, and then proceeded to piece back the part of his skull they
punctured and stitched him back up.

The anxious part was still to come - whether the surgery had affected any
part of his brain or mechanisms. Sight, comprehension and especially speech
were the big danger areas. Another 30 minutes later the anethesist called to
say things had gone very well, and then he passed the phone to Miles who was
still in post-op and spoke to us. It was the most amazing, euphoric and
overwhelming moment. Tears of joy, shock, pain and relief surged through us
to hear him - we knew that he was OK. They only drug him lightly for such an
operation because they are keen to get him conscious again quickly to test
his responses. All good.

We waited forever for an available bed in Intensive Care Unit so that he
could be transferred from post-op, and it wasn’t until four hours after the
phone call that we finally got to see Miles. He’s in very good shape,
considering they’ve drilled a hole in his head. He’s got a bit of an extreme
mohawk shave on the left side, but still enough shaggy fringe to cover most
of it once the bandages come off. Swelling is not too extreme at the moment,
all contained to the back left of the skull, but we’ve been warned that the
worst will come out in the next day or so before receeding.

The most amazing and inspiring thing is Miles’ strength and calm through all
this. He went into today’s operation feeling secure and confident, and
almost serene in his belief that things would go well. He was similarly calm
and composed from the time he regained consciousness, resting peacefully and
even managing sympathetic smiles at my pathetic attempts at jokes to
alleviate the tension. He’s made of tough stuff. Very inspiring and
uplifting for mere fragile mortals like Inga and myself.

The road ahead will now probably be very slow. Another day for Miles in
Intensive Care, drifting in and out of sleep between constant observation
checks, then about a week in the Neurology wing at ACH (Ward R5 North Wing),
though I suspect the first few days will mainly be in a sleepy fog until the
swelling and initial pain subsides.

I appreciate that so many are keen to see Miles and pass on their love and
best wishes, but I feel his ability to rest solidly in the first few days
will be of invaluable benefit to him. I’ll keep in touch with you as to his
progress and when he’ll be ready for visitors to break the boredom.

For your love, prayers and strong bonds of friendship, the Slys cannot thank
you enough. There’s still not much we can do except will this amazing young
fighter back to speedy good health.

With love, cheers and deep gratitude

David, Inga, Lucas - and especially Miles