Cassidy Samantha Smith, a beautiful baby girl was born with a severe case of Hydrocephalus. Initially thought to be aqueductal stenosis, later it was discovered that the hydro was caused by arachnoid cysts. She also failed her hearing tests in the hospital, creating yet another worry for her parents. They wanted their child to have the best of everything and yet more and more, it seemed she was going to have a very challenging life. Cassidy was taken to the Children's Hospital in Atlanta -- Scottish Rite-- first thing the following morning.
On March 6th, Cassidy had her first surgery. they placed a VAD (Ventricle Access Device) so that they could relieve some of the pressure from her brain. On March 10th, they did the shunt surgery. Thankfully there were no complications and she was able to come home on March 16th. Her nuerosurgeon was very optimistic and helpful. He gave Beverly and Dwayne informative books, some website addresses, and he recommended they contact an association. It was very comforting being informed, but they continued to pray that everything would work out well.
June 2004
Cassidy is very alert and is hitting most of her milestones. She has gone to several specialists, one of them for her hearing -- and her hearing is great! Beverly and Dwayne know that God has answered their prayers and are feeling very optimistic. Cassidy goes in for her follow-up CT scan. The good news is that her ventricles are getting smaller, the bad news is her brain seems to be deformed and they suspect a possible case of Schizencephally. Their neurosurgeon assured them that she was doing great, and even if she did have Schizencephally, it would probably be mild. An MRI is scheduled, but not for another few weeks. Beverly and Dwayne once again consulted the internet. This time, it was not as encouraging. Schizencephally is a very scary condition. Fortunately prayers were answered once again because the MRI showed no Schizencephally, but this is when the Arachnoid cysts were discovered. They had been so enlarged that her brain had not been able to connect properly. The good news--they were getting smaller with the ventricles. Beverly and Dwayne were then told that they needed to go see a Neurologist. The first neurologist was very dry--asking questions without looking at child or parent, then finally making the prediction that Cassidy would probably be delayed when she was 6 and starting school but that currently she was fine.
Beverly and Dwayne made the next visit with a different neurologist.
September 2004
Cassidy's next visit with a neurologist was when she was 6 months old. This neurologist was much better suited to Beverly and Dwayne's personality. (They had decided that while they liked hearing about all of the possibilities, they prefered an optimistic doctor to a pessimistic one.) Like the first, this neurologist also informed them that Cassidy would need to be monitored as there were definite abnormalities in her brain. However, he added that currently she was doing fantastic and seemed right on track.
Beverly and Dwayne use a book called "What to Expect the First Year" to monitor Cassidy's milestones. At six months she had met every one but she was still not eating solids. Her regular pediatrician recommended that she see a specialist. Beverly and Dwayne waited a month to see what would happen. They knew Cassidy could eat, she just wasn't very interested. Finally, Cassidy discovered that she like Sweet Potatoes and there was nothing to worry about. Cassidy is still not a big eater, but her height and weight are fine.
December 2004
Cassidy is very active at 9 months. She is strong-willed and determined, characteristics that will serve her well. She is still meeting most of her milestones. According to the pediatrician, she is meeting all of the important ones. She pulls herself up, crawls, walks along the coffee table, loves to find anything she can get into--especially if she isn't supposed to. Cassidy says ma ma and da da--she said Da Da first. She is rarely ill-tempered and hardly sick. At 9 months, she has only run a fever twice -- both low-grade.
Beverly and Dwayne are extremely proud of her, more so than if she had been born with absolutely no challenges. They know that while her story is just beginning and she may have hurdles ahead, God is watching out for her and she will overcome them.