These are my two cute boys. They both have issues with their brains. I find it fascinating so I thought I would share with you the difference between a "normal" brain and Ben's brain. It's fun. Come along....
Okay...this picture above is Kaleb's brain. Don't get wierded out by the eyeballs. This is an MRI slice of his brain. You will notice that in the very middle part of his brain is a little heart looking shape. Those are his ventricles. They are filled with cerebral spinal fluid. This is what a normal brain looks like except for the white spot above the ventricles. Do you see that? That is his CYST that he has.
(you can see the line running through it - they were measuring the size of it.) It resides in his left temporal lobe. His actual brain is everything else around the ventricles. Okay...so now that you have an image of what a typical brain
(minus his cyst) looks like lets move on to the next picture....
This is Ben's brain, or lack of. This picture is a CAT scan so it's a little different than an MRI. CAT scans are used to look at bone mostly so you can see all the white going around his head - that's his skull. Do you see the two kidney bean shapes in the center?
(they're rather large) Those are Ben's ventricles. They are filled with cerebral spinal fluid too. Because Ben's brain did not develop, the fluid filled the space. The little faded spot in the middle of the picture is his brain stem. You can't see it on Kaleb's because his ventricles are covering it. Ben has no brain, just fluid. That's the difference. Don't be sad. It's okay. Ben's brain wins him a ticket straight to the Celestial Kingdom.
(come meet the AMAZING doctor that takes care of my two boys!!!)
These are my two cute boys. They both have issues with their brains. I find it fascinating so I thought I would share with you the difference between a "normal" brain and Ben's brain. It's fun. Come along....
Okay...this picture above is Kaleb's brain. Don't get wierded out by the eyeballs. This is an MRI slice of his brain. You will notice that in the very middle part of his brain is a little heart looking shape. Those are his ventricles. They are filled with cerebral spinal fluid. This is what a normal brain looks like except for the white spot above the ventricles. Do you see that? That is his CYST that he has. (you can see the line running through it - they were measuring the size of it.) It resides in his left temporal lobe. His actual brain is everything else around the ventricles. Okay...so now that you have an image of what a typical brain (minus his cyst) looks like lets move on to the next picture....
This is Ben's brain, or lack of. This picture is a CAT scan so it's a little different than an MRI. CAT scans are used to look at bone mostly so you can see all the white going around his head - that's his skull. Do you see the two kidney bean shapes in the center? (they're rather large) Those are Ben's ventricles. They are filled with cerebral spinal fluid too. Because Ben's brain did not develop, the fluid filled the space. The little faded spot in the middle of the picture is his brain stem. You can't see it on Kaleb's because his ventricles are covering it. Ben has no brain, just fluid. That's the difference. Don't be sad. It's okay. Ben's brain wins him a ticket straight to the Celestial Kingdom. 
12 comments:
Steve's "high maintenance" comment still makes me laugh!
I love your boys, both of them!
...I would be curious to see my brain on a blog. :)
such cute noggins, inside and out!
You've seen so many of these, I am sure you could tell what is going on before the dr. Thanks for taking us along the brain education game!
See blogging time can be learning time!
Becky, you are so knowledgeable. Thank you for showing us the MRI and the CT scan. How is the cyst in Kaleb's brain? Hopefully not a problem. You are so amazing. You make tears come into my eyes. We love you. You are such a great Mom and what a super advocate you are for all of your children. They are certainly blessed to have such a wonderful mother, and we are certainly blessed to have a wonderful niece. Of course, we love all of our nieces and nephews and are grateful for all of you. Lots of love. Aunt Shirley
shirlgirl - love you too and thanks! this has been such a wonderful journey that i am on. good to have such fantastic support from you and everyone else. couldn't do this by myself.
Thanks for the education. I think I am somewhere in between your two boys. Someday s more towards Kaleb and others a lot more like Ben.
That picture of Ben's brain is really similar to Caleb's-- mostly just fluid. I think those two could be great buddies! Two perfect little men!
The Brain Game!
I Love you, Becky.
Please, though... no pop quizzes.
xoxo
I just love how much there is to know...and how well you know so much! Thank you for sharing. How did you ever discover Kaleb's cyst? Any worries there? (that is my official job...to do all the worrying).
That must be the secret to being a genius, like Ben, more fluid, less mass. Sign me up ;-) Amy Jo
I have a feeling that you are earning your ticket to the Celestial Kingdom, too!! That was very interesting and educational. Thank You!!
I didn't know that Kaleb had a cyst in his brain! I love how you wrote, "don't be sad", I think that is everyone's first reaction. But when you are around Ben and feel his sweet little spirit, you know you are among a noble and great one. Great post. Loved the pics, and I did get a little freaked out by the eye balls, but got over it.
I read the doctor snipped some of Ben's hair for samples. John is currently taking selenium for neurological support.
I would love to hear what the results were on that!
Fabulous family!!!!
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