Dylan Eason Medical Help

On Tuesday May 5, 2015 Dylan was working with J & R Construction. About 3:30 that day he suddenly was not feeling well and told them he couldn't feel his tongue. He was shaky, having trouble drinking and then was unable to speak.  After a little convincing Dylan agreed it was a good idea to go to the hospital.  Rich brought him into the ER and called us to let us know what was going on.  Thank you guys so much for looking out for Dylan and getting him to the hospital so quickly!!  After a CT scan was completed we learned that he had a bleed on his brain and that he needed to be transferred out immediately.  Dylan had had a stroke.  One of the scariest things a parent could hear and see!  It was determined that the best place for him to go was the University of Minnesota neurological unit to determine why a perfectly healthy 23 year old would have a stroke. Dylan was flown to the U of M.  Unfortunately nobody could go with so Larry, myself and Whitney (his fiancé) made the long drive to the cities.  When we arrived at the hospital, Dylan was stable, awake and watching tv.  On Wednesday Dylan had an angiogram so they could get a better look at his brain and see what was going on. So this is what we know.  Dylan has an AVM.  Arteriovenous Malformation.  (This is quite rare. Often times people are born with an AVM and never even know it.  Some live all their lives with never having a problem).  So normally your blood comes up through an artery into your brain filters through some vessels and back out the vein which carries the blood to your heart.  When you have an AVM there is an abnormal formation of vessels.  So from the artery Dylan has kind of bypassed the normal function.  the blood is flowing more directly to the vein.  From the artery the pressure and flow of blood becomes too much for the vein to handle.  Since the vein was weakened it caused it to bleed out.  Causing Dylan to have a hemorraghic bleed on the left side of his brain which affects the right side of your body and speech.  Dylan has a team of amazing Doctors!  Dr Andrew Grande, Dr Ramu Tummala and Dr Bharathi Jagadeesa.  They are the best neuro and vascular surgeons around!  There are a couple of options on how to treat an AVM but the best option and recommendation of his team of Doctors is to go in and remove the AVM.  It if the AVM is not removed, it is likely he will have another bleed and could be much worse. The doctors said it is amazing how well Dylan is doing.  Often times when this happens people arrive at the hospital comatose or do not make it. 

So what now.   We wait and give Dylan's brain time to heal and the swelling to go down.  There is not immediate need for surgery but does need it soon. At this time Dylan is having trouble speaking, writing and has some weakness on his right side. He will be transferring to a rehab unit next week for intensive therapy.  The Doctors will do another scan when they feel it's time to see if his brain is ready for surgery.  They are anticipating within the next 4 weeks they will perform brain surgery and remove the AVM.    

Dylan is determined to get better!  He even walked from the 4th floor of the hospital to the 6th floor and refused to take a wheelchair!  He is frustrated that he cant communicate very well but still has a sense of humor and is quite amused with himself when he makes a joke!   We just keep reminding him that he will have to be patient.  The Doctors feel he will have a full recovery with time.  Just keep Dylan in your prayers!