Well, we went over the MRI in detail with the pediatric neurosurgeon today. He showed us where Jace's brain stem actually bends forward, due to pressure from the cyst, evidently. He claims the stem should be rather straight up into the brain, but it clearly bends forward at an alarming angle.
He strongly suggests surgery, & soon, due to pressure on both the brain stem & the cerebellum. When asked if these things just disappear, or drain themselves, he answered yes, sometimes, but added that he could virtually guarantee that this one will not just go away on its own, & by waiting too long, there's a chance of permanent damage to the affected areas.
He suggests a shunt, which will remain in the boy permanently. This thing will drain his excess fluids from his brain into his stomach area, where it will be absorbed with no ill effects. Unfortunately, this is a situation that will require further surgeries as this shunt eventually clogs up, because it will need replacing when this occurs. Looks like he's in for a lifetime of surgeries?
We will need to keep watch on him for indicators of fluid build-up as he grows.
The danger is as minimal as can be, since the cyst is basically on the outside of the brain, & this is not a case of hydrocephalus (commonly called "water on the brain," where there is fluid build-up on the central areas of the brain). He does seem to have an enlarged head due to these problems, as well, probably due to the pressure within.
There are no guarantees as to whether this will solve any problems he has in his motor skills development, but it supposedly can't hurt, & MAY indeed take enough pressure off certain areas that major improvements will be possible, provided we have caught the thing in time.
Since the mouth muscles are such a complex system, which are also controlled in his affected area, this may also be his entire problem with his speach development problems, as well.
I am still thinking about a 2nd opinion, but his arguments about the need for doing the surgery soon may make such thoughts moot. He has set up another appointment in two weeks' time, after he determines exactly what type of fluids the boy is suffering from. If they are the consistency of cottage cheese, it will make the surgery much more difficult & dangerous, but thus far, it doesn't look like that, thank heavens.
There haven't been any hearing tests, yet, but they have been scheduled. I honestly can't believe that that is any part of his problem. I can give him complex directions, & he follows them to the letter, indicating that he both hears AND understands what I'm saying to him. He simply cannot seem to vocalise, & has yet to make ANY consistant understandable words. He HAS learned some sign language, however, which he uses consistantly well.
Eye tests have also been scheduled. He may have a "lazy eye," or this, too, may be a result of his cyst. There are so many variables that this thing could affect, that it seems negligent not to take this Dr's advice, & to have the surgery performed, & soon.
I have no fears about his cognizant capabilities, either. He has proven to be quite capable of solving many problems on his own (unfortunately for me, the babysitter...LOL)
He has found that he can whack at wind chimes with a broom. He can open the front door, AND the screen door, & escape, if I'm not watching. He'e learning to be "sly" about trying to get away with stuff when I tell him "no." He's coming into his own in spite of his difficulties, & is developing his own unique personality.
He gets very frustrated at times, due, I think, to his difficulties in communicating, & thus he screeches a LOT, to show virtually any strong emotion, be it anger, or glee, or whatever. I often wonder if the neighbors think I'm beating him 1/2 to death, with all the screaming going on.
He seems to have adjusted to his problems as well as possible, & is finding ways to get through to us in spite of his difficulties. He also is overcoming his balance problems, & doesn't get as angry as he used to when he falls, but he nearly always has a nice big purple lump on his head, & sometimes even two or three.
It's gotta be tough being him.
We're lucky -- not everyone has this kind of support for situations like this. 
