STUDENT SPOTLIGHT :
By : Meredith Stone
Hi ! My name is Tytan Josiah Stone and I am going to tell you a story about me . About June of 2012 , my mommy had an ultrasound while I was growing inside “ the oven ” and she received a scary report from the doctor . The test indicated my head was unusually large and he was not sure what happened to me . More tests were done and my mommy was freaking out as no one could diagnose the problem . About three weeks later , I was so uncomfortable , that I caused a lot of stress and insisted to come out and see the world even though I should have waited six more weeks . I ’ ll let my mommy , Meredith , tell you more of the story .
The next few hours were the longest hours of my life . I was lying on an operating table from an emergency C-section , able to see six doctors huddling over Tytan and then they rushed him off to another area . My mother was able to observe everything from a distance and still stay with Tytan . Whisked next to the
NICU , Tytan was hooked up to several machines and immediately had a transfusion of platelets .
The diagnosis was vague as the doctors still were baffled and knew there were other abnormalities and that I needed to see a specialist . The preliminary issues were Hydrocephaly and Dandi Walker Syndrome . The only neonatal / surgeon was in St . Louis or Oklahoma City . So , within two hours , baby Tytan was life-flighted to the OU Children ’ s Medical Hospital . Dr . Grosse was amazing . A thorough neurological exam revealed Tytan had a stroke intrauterine , which the doctor was familiar with but had never actually seen one during her career . She shared with me the need to operate as soon as Tytan ’ s temperature could be brought up to normal . We put him in very warm clothes and kept him in a warming bed along with all tubes to keep him alive .
Dr . Grosse did a procedure to remove the dried-up blood and the dead brain cells from his little head . Tytan was left with 7 % of the right side and 32 % of the left side of his brain . Of course , I
“ Tytan ’ s development and future is certainly in God ’ s hands .” was devastated . I had two daughters earlier in life and was so thrilled to have a son , but a mom is never prepared for a “ special ” baby . We stayed at OU Children ’ s Medical Hospital for several weeks until Dr . Grosse could operate again to place a shunt in his head . Other medical issues surfaced after the surgery , including the fact he might not be able to see . Over time and several ophthalmologist visits , it was stated he was legally blind , but today he is able to see with a challenge of Cortical Vision Impairment .
We continued to travel back-and-forth to Oklahoma City five more times to keep updating the shunt , until it worked properly . To this day , if Tytan ever seems to be ill , the x-rays and c-scans are done to make sure the shunt is working . Unfortunately , Tytan has developed PTSD with doctors or anyone in a white coat ! The good news is Tytan ’ s head circumference began to shrink and he could finally hold his head up when he was eight months old . It really took extra time for him to reach his milestones and we nicknamed him Tytan Turtle . Everyone , especially other little kiddos loved Tytan Turtle !
An exciting day came when Tytan was enrolled at the Little Light House ( LLH ). The opportunities for him to grow and mature were amazing . He was able to receive all the “ therapists ’ specialties :” speech therapy , low-vision therapy , physical and occupational therapies . Each LLH student receives an individualized educational plan with a goal for the child to function as independently as possible , considering their mental and physical challenges , although no limits are put on progress .
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