More information slowly surfaces as tests come in and doctors become more conversational about my brother's prognosis. The Cerebral Contusion is more accurately defined as an Intraventricular Hemorrhage located in the left-middle part of the brain. If you aren't a trained medical profession this probably sounds greek to you. So hopefully I can give you some clarity.
An intraventricular hemorrhage, often abbreviated "IVH," is a bleeding into the brain's ventricular system, where the cerebrospinal fluid is produced and circulates through towards the subarachnoid space. This is a direct result from the physical trauma to his head. This is also something that may happen when one has hemorrhaging from a stroke. Brad has not had a stroke, he had a high-impact collision with a bus.
Intraventricular hemorrhaging has been found to occur in 35% of moderate to severe traumatic brain injuries. This type of injury requires a great deal of force to cause. If you've seen the picture of Brad's car you can easily recognize that some serious force was caused. Because the hemorrhage usually does not occur without extensive associated damage, the outcome is rarely good.
Prognosis is also dismal when IVH exists and blood pressure levels are not controlled. This can result in dangerous increases in intracranial pressure and can cause potentially fatal brain herniation. This is why he needs rest and little stimulation. They are doing their very best to medicate and isolate so that his swelling does not go up or stay elevated.
I hope this information helps and does not hinder. It may be easy to look at all this information and get stuck thinking the worst. My desire is truly to take in the complexity and difficulty at it's fullest so that I may marvel at what God does with this story. For all of us! It may be a full and rich recovery for Brad, in which I am whole-heartedly praying for. But if His message is for me to be greater aware of the legacy I'm leaving, I'm listening!
I am especially thankful for each of your comments and prayers. I am humbled and am unable to fathom how much love exists in what often times looks like a broken, dog-eat-dog world... but love wins. This love is graciously being poured out on us through you! Still I am humbled that so many would care. Thank you! Continue to pray for Brad. Feel free to share these posts with someone else if they are of any help. Maybe someone that is going through a similar situation could use this. Continue to pray for our family and know we would love to pray for yours. Continue to believe that love wins!
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