Ben's Emergency Brain Surgery

Our sweet grandson/nephew, 11-year old, Ben had to undergo a very serious Brain Surgery late Tuesday Night. On Sunday (8/19) Ben stated he was having a really bad headache and by the evening his fever reached 103. Monday morning, he was taken to the urgent care where his parents were then told he had an infection behind his eye and he was given antibiotics and instructed to go home and rest. By late Tuesday, his fever suddenly increased to 104.7 degrees, was lethargic, and was unable to walk or talk. 911 was called and he was rushed by ambulance to St Johns Medical Center in Longview, WA. Once he got there, he underwent a cat-scan and a lumbar puncture. This helped determine that there was an abscess in his brain caused by the infection.  From there he was then rushed to Randall's Children Hospital in Portland, OR where a neurosurgeon was prepped and waiting to perform a craniotomy. To perform this type of procedure, Ben was intubated so they could remove the infection from the inside of his brain. During the MRI while at Randall's Children Hospital, they found signs that he could have had a stroke. He currently is under medical-induced coma in the ICU and will be there for several weeks while recovering. Both of his parents will be taking off work to be with Ben during this time and will need our help in paying for his medical bills. Ben & his family appreciate all of the faith, love and support for a fast recovery and hope that he will be able to return home soon.