Bev and I are sure there hasn't been anyone whose heart has not been touched in some way by the story of the youngest member of our adhesions family...3-year-old Dylan, who lives in Dublin, Ireland!
His older sister, Jessica has shared much about Dylan's current condition--including that Dylan has spent more than 3 months in the hospital (known as theatre in Ireland). He even had to spend his last Christmas in the hospital--away from his family and the comforts and security of his own little bed!
This ordeal is breaking his family's heart. And it breaks our hearts just to hear what Dylan is having to face every minute of every hour of every day!! All of us know that walk all too well! Fear, frustration, confusion, desperation, hopelessness, helplessness, the feeling that we're treading water without a life vest or a rope to grasp and the feeling that we are slowly "sinking out of life itself ". This just about sums it all up when you're a victim of adhesions related disorder (ARD).
Jessica, Dylan's 19-year-old sister, found the International Adhesions Society (IAS) Message Board; and she found the support of people, who suffer from the same kind of adhesion-related pain that Dylan does!! Jess found information, support, hope, and some direction on the IAS Message Board.
Jess was also given contact information for Dr. Patrick Leahy, a general surgeon from Dublin, Ireland. Dr. Leahy is not only aware of post-surgical adhesions and the severe problems they can cause, he also understands how important it is for adhesion sufferers to seek the surgical intervention of a surgeon, who is very skilled and experienced in the performance of laparoscopic surgery--most importantly, a surgeon who has developed and is very experienced in specialized adhesion-prevention techniques.....techniques that are proving to make a difference in the outcome of adhesiolysis procedures. Whether Dr. Leahy will be able to step in and help Dylan is a decision only Dylan's parents can make...that is, if and when Dylan is strong enough to endure surgery.
The news got even better when it just happens that Dr. Leahy performs surgery right in Dublin. Dr. Leahy is also a friend of Dr. Harry Reich, who is recognized internationally for his skill and experience in performing laparoscopic surgery for adhesiolysis. Dr. Reich has offered to consult with Dr.Leahy regarding little Dylan's case...providing Dylan's parents are willing to accept their offer of help. This is a decision that may be very difficult for Dylan's parents to make; but it is the only decision that has the possibility of giving Dylan a real chance to regain his health.
To have the world renowned pioneer laparoscopic surgeon focus his attention on Dylan's case offers this family hope at a time when Dylan is in great need of hope and prayers for healing!! All that is standing in the way of bringing Dr. Leahy and Dr. Reich together to consult on Dylan's case is the permission from Dylan's parents to make this happen. With the team effort of these two exceptionally experienced surgeons it is very possible that their participation in Dylan's case could contribute to a signifigant improvement in little Dylan's health. With the combination of Dr. Leahy and Dr. Reich, Dylan could have the best chance to enjoy being a 3-year-old child once again!! With surgeons of this calibre offering to consult with Dylan's attending physicians, many of us know they are definitely on the right track!! Maybe some will call it a miracle...or maybe it is or was meant to be.
Recently Jessica posted a message on the Message Board saying their optimism is "shrinking a bit." This is because the attending doctors are telling her parents the same things so many of us--if not all of us--have heard before: " Dylan cannot have a surgery." ..... " Dylan is too weak for a surgery." ..... " Adhesion barriers are not for him." ..... " SprayGel is in clinical trials." (Note: SprayGel was approved in late November 2001 in Ireland; and SprayGel is showing a lot of promise in the prevention of adhesions.) ..... "IF it comes to a surgery, we will talk about it then." (Note: If -- is not a very hopeful word!! Time is of the essence when a small child is clinging to life!!! Waiting too long could have a devastating result!!!)
(Continued in Part 2.....TO ENCOURAGE A SECOND OPINION FOR DYLAN