Our adventures today started with the mom's group at my house, which as usual was very refreshing and encouraging. Right before the group came over the nurse called and told us we could have Aggie's bloodwork done at our convenience today, so we made plans for the boys (they went to the Beck's again) and went after the group.
Aggie has had this done once before, but fortunately she did not remember that AWFUL experience (that time it took me and two nurses to hold her down while the other one tried time after time after time to draw her blood.) She was worried of course because I told her it would be like a shot, but she is SO GOOD at making the best of it.
When we got called back she started getting worried, but then had a seizure as we were getting set up. (two minutes too early I thought! Since she can't feel anything during her seizures I thought it would be perfect if she had one just before the needle went in! But how do you explain that to a strange nurse- "Quick, poke her now- she's having a seizure- it is the perfect time!"
When she 'came to' afterwards she was confused and I think she forgot why we were there for a minute. That was actually very helpful as she was so cooperative while we got setup and they looked for a vein. Eventually it clicked, of course, and while they took the 4 vials of blood she SCREAMED bloody murder! I almost cried too! Afterwards she wanted to sit there and snuggle for awhile (still tired from her seizure).
By the time we were in the car she wanted her bandaid OFF and then worked on trying to get me to promise she would never ever ever have to do that again (no luck sweetie.) We went to Wendy's for some comfort food and she quickly cheered up. When we saw the long line I said "Look Aggie- there's a long poopy line, awww maaaaan!" Of course that was hilarious, and the shot was pretty much forgotten from that point.
Believe it or not, the doc called me about 2 hrs later with the results- it all looks good. So we are on to the MRI and pediatric neurologist, both we hope within the next week or two.
Aggie is sleeping like a baby at the moment (what a day!) and thankfully I just got up from a nap too! We are hoping for a relaxing weekend, perhaps with some Madagascar 2 and craft time and lots of naps.
Friday, November 14, 2008
Thursday, November 13, 2008
news
Hello everyone!
We finally heard from the doctor.
Aggie did have a seizure during the EEG- what they call a partial or focal
seizure. She does officially have epilepsy, "temporal lobe epilepsy" to be
exact. According to the doctor, as far as epilepsy goes this is the kind to
have- it is the most likely kind to go away by the teenage years.
The next step is to search for possible underlying causes (there are a million
and some are quite scary). Tomorrow I take her for blood work, and after that
an MRI (within a week or two.)
We will be referred to a pediatric neurologist in Indianapolis after we have
some more info from the tests. From there, we decide whether or not to treat,
and if so how.
Honestly I am not surprised by this diagnosis- actually I am a little relieved
that they did find something- I did not want to be the paranoid mother that had
to insist to a bunch of skeptical doctors that SOMETHING is wrong with my
Aggie!
So we will continue to wait, and rely on the Lord for strength and wisdom for
each day. Your prayers for her and our family are very much appreciated.
We finally heard from the doctor.
Aggie did have a seizure during the EEG- what they call a partial or focal
seizure. She does officially have epilepsy, "temporal lobe epilepsy" to be
exact. According to the doctor, as far as epilepsy goes this is the kind to
have- it is the most likely kind to go away by the teenage years.
The next step is to search for possible underlying causes (there are a million
and some are quite scary). Tomorrow I take her for blood work, and after that
an MRI (within a week or two.)
We will be referred to a pediatric neurologist in Indianapolis after we have
some more info from the tests. From there, we decide whether or not to treat,
and if so how.
Honestly I am not surprised by this diagnosis- actually I am a little relieved
that they did find something- I did not want to be the paranoid mother that had
to insist to a bunch of skeptical doctors that SOMETHING is wrong with my
Aggie!
So we will continue to wait, and rely on the Lord for strength and wisdom for
each day. Your prayers for her and our family are very much appreciated.
distractions
No news on Aggie yet!
I am thankful that the kids provide me with so many distractions......
I am thankful that the kids provide me with so many distractions......
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
New pictures!
Here are highlights from the week of Halloween!
(No news on Aggie yet- will post as soon as I know something!)
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
updates
We survived Monday!!!!!!!!
You know, sleep depriving Aggie wasn't nearly as much fun as we hoped it would be. We tried to make it fun by saying thing like "Aggie, you get to have special daddy time tonight after all the kids go to bed! You can eat Oreos and do whatever you want, isn't that great!" She was very excited for the Oreos, but after those were eaten things got a little rough. She was ready for bed by 9, and even a trip to play in the school gym didn't keep her going much longer! She was a mess by 9:45 and they barely made until 12. Then it was my job to get her up at four. Poor kid, I don't know how many baths and showers she had by the time it was all over! She sure looked awful when we left for the test! We dropped the others off at the sitters (Beth Beck sure is one brave soul!) Then Josh and I took her to the Mariott for her EEG (the hospital still being in transition from this summer's flood)
She was GREAT for the actual test. She has to sit still while they put 25 electrodes in her hair with this nasty sticky stuff (I am still trying to get it out! I didn't have the heart to make her take ANOTHER bath when she got home!) Then they had her blow on a kleenex (deep breathing can induce seizures), which she did with great enthusiasm, and then went into an abscence seizure. I was very relieved that she had an episode during the test- the last thing I wanted after all this was for them to say 'it's nothing, she's fine!' This last week of episodes almost every two hours has convinced me she is definitely not! After that, they told her she could sleep on my lap, and she was snoring in about 30 seconds. She was very cooperative, and we rewarded her with a push- up from the gas station (the only ice cream treat to be found so early in the morning.) They told us that the neurologist would read the test the same day and contact her doctor. We are still waiting to hear anything.
God is merciful, and so we got naps before the next dr appointment- my ultrasound! As Josh said, it is a strange day when the ultrasound is NOT the highlight of the day! The ultrasound was on time, painless, and wonderfully uneventful- the baby looks perfect! I am also glad I haven't packed Marcus's baby clothes too far away- it is most definitely a boy!
He was very cooperative with the ultrasound and seems proud to be a boy (I think most boys are!) Aggie was with us- when I said "Aggie, it's a boy!" she just said OH. Later when she looked at these pictures she said "It looks like a turtle!" Josh called the school after the appointment, and the principal pulled Lorriane out of class to tell her the big news! Her teacher said she was GRINNING from ear to ear when she told the class about her new baby brother!
We are very excited. I can just imaine in 2yrs when Aggie is at school and I am home all day with THREE BOYS! I guess I am glad for the wide open spaces we have here in the country! "There's a mud hole boys, and here's a shovel- see you at lunch time!"
This picture is a little hard to make out but it is my favorite! The baby's head is on the right, and his hand is on top of his head. It looks to me almost exactly like big brother Seth when he is laying down playing with his hair (or where his hair used to be!)
This morning I asked Aggie if she had good dreams about her new baby brother and she said "I dreamed he was a turtle!"
After the test we picked up the kids from the Becks- bless Beth, she also sent home dinner for us! It was definitely a blessing- I was so tired it would have been a cereal or even a Halloween candy dinner! Krista and Megan (friends from the mom's group) also made dinner for tonight for us!
So today is recovery day and waiting by the phone day. I will keep everyone posted if there is more news. What I expect is to hear "Yep, she had a seizure- here's the next tests and the specialist you have to go to."
God is tenderly caring for our family during all of this, and we are amazed at the support and love from everyone here and in Michigan, and people we don't even know who are praying and thinking of us.
You know, sleep depriving Aggie wasn't nearly as much fun as we hoped it would be. We tried to make it fun by saying thing like "Aggie, you get to have special daddy time tonight after all the kids go to bed! You can eat Oreos and do whatever you want, isn't that great!" She was very excited for the Oreos, but after those were eaten things got a little rough. She was ready for bed by 9, and even a trip to play in the school gym didn't keep her going much longer! She was a mess by 9:45 and they barely made until 12. Then it was my job to get her up at four. Poor kid, I don't know how many baths and showers she had by the time it was all over! She sure looked awful when we left for the test! We dropped the others off at the sitters (Beth Beck sure is one brave soul!) Then Josh and I took her to the Mariott for her EEG (the hospital still being in transition from this summer's flood)
She was GREAT for the actual test. She has to sit still while they put 25 electrodes in her hair with this nasty sticky stuff (I am still trying to get it out! I didn't have the heart to make her take ANOTHER bath when she got home!) Then they had her blow on a kleenex (deep breathing can induce seizures), which she did with great enthusiasm, and then went into an abscence seizure. I was very relieved that she had an episode during the test- the last thing I wanted after all this was for them to say 'it's nothing, she's fine!' This last week of episodes almost every two hours has convinced me she is definitely not! After that, they told her she could sleep on my lap, and she was snoring in about 30 seconds. She was very cooperative, and we rewarded her with a push- up from the gas station (the only ice cream treat to be found so early in the morning.) They told us that the neurologist would read the test the same day and contact her doctor. We are still waiting to hear anything.
God is merciful, and so we got naps before the next dr appointment- my ultrasound! As Josh said, it is a strange day when the ultrasound is NOT the highlight of the day! The ultrasound was on time, painless, and wonderfully uneventful- the baby looks perfect! I am also glad I haven't packed Marcus's baby clothes too far away- it is most definitely a boy!
He was very cooperative with the ultrasound and seems proud to be a boy (I think most boys are!) Aggie was with us- when I said "Aggie, it's a boy!" she just said OH. Later when she looked at these pictures she said "It looks like a turtle!" Josh called the school after the appointment, and the principal pulled Lorriane out of class to tell her the big news! Her teacher said she was GRINNING from ear to ear when she told the class about her new baby brother!We are very excited. I can just imaine in 2yrs when Aggie is at school and I am home all day with THREE BOYS! I guess I am glad for the wide open spaces we have here in the country! "There's a mud hole boys, and here's a shovel- see you at lunch time!"
This picture is a little hard to make out but it is my favorite! The baby's head is on the right, and his hand is on top of his head. It looks to me almost exactly like big brother Seth when he is laying down playing with his hair (or where his hair used to be!)
This morning I asked Aggie if she had good dreams about her new baby brother and she said "I dreamed he was a turtle!"
After the test we picked up the kids from the Becks- bless Beth, she also sent home dinner for us! It was definitely a blessing- I was so tired it would have been a cereal or even a Halloween candy dinner! Krista and Megan (friends from the mom's group) also made dinner for tonight for us!
So today is recovery day and waiting by the phone day. I will keep everyone posted if there is more news. What I expect is to hear "Yep, she had a seizure- here's the next tests and the specialist you have to go to."
God is tenderly caring for our family during all of this, and we are amazed at the support and love from everyone here and in Michigan, and people we don't even know who are praying and thinking of us.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
updates- finally
OK it has been ages- trying to squeeze in an update! But first- the baby pics-
Seth, Lorraine, Marcus, Agnes!
(good job Robyn!)
First and most importantly-the main reason for my internet silence! (not counting the second computer crash!) We have been on survival mode once again, this time not because of pregnancy but health concerns about Aggie. Our little hummingbird is having strange "episodes" that we have come to suspect are seizures. (complex-partial to be precise- a guess on our parts, not a diagnosis yet.) She is going for an EEG on Monday the 10th, so we should have some answers soon we hope! These episodes happen several times a day and seem to make her quite tired. I have been trying to be diligent in journaling her symptoms and keeping the doc informed. Please pray for her and for us- that God would provide a doc we can trust to help us decide what to do next (if this is epilepsy).
In other news.... We had a great Halloween trip to MI- Pam sure knows how to throw a party! We also had the odd experience of visiting our old house (which we are now renting.) I had no idea how the kids would react to that, but they were excited to see the house, impressed by all the changes, and pretty much only thought about when we would let them run into the back yard to play on the swingset! Then they asked how long until we went HOME (indiana!) It was a good sign they are handling the transition just fine!
As for me, I am already 17 weeks along and can hardly believe it! The second trimester has been great and all of a sudden it feels like this pregnancy is flying by! Next monday the 10th we find out if it is a girl or a boy! that is going to be quite a day for us!
Last night right before bed Seth fell off the ladder to the bunk bed and could hardly walk on his foot or move his hand! (I guess Superman can't fly!) Josh doesn't think he need to be seen- we think he just got some good bruises. I laid wiht him in bed until he slept- of course I fell asleep and when I woke at 10 Josh was still watching the sad election reports.
SO my goals today- since Seth so far doesn't want to walk very far, much less run and play- FIND some fun table activities for Seth and Aggie, and hope Marcus can stay out of trouble! AND get one of Aggie's episodes on camera! and wipe tons of snotty noses without gagging (both boys- yuk! and marcus likes to wipe it on me!) AND of course the usual, try not to get lost in clutter in this house, try to prevent marcus from killing himself and breaking our stuff, and so on!
I will post some halloween pics soon!
Seth, Lorraine, Marcus, Agnes!
(good job Robyn!)
First and most importantly-the main reason for my internet silence! (not counting the second computer crash!) We have been on survival mode once again, this time not because of pregnancy but health concerns about Aggie. Our little hummingbird is having strange "episodes" that we have come to suspect are seizures. (complex-partial to be precise- a guess on our parts, not a diagnosis yet.) She is going for an EEG on Monday the 10th, so we should have some answers soon we hope! These episodes happen several times a day and seem to make her quite tired. I have been trying to be diligent in journaling her symptoms and keeping the doc informed. Please pray for her and for us- that God would provide a doc we can trust to help us decide what to do next (if this is epilepsy).
In other news.... We had a great Halloween trip to MI- Pam sure knows how to throw a party! We also had the odd experience of visiting our old house (which we are now renting.) I had no idea how the kids would react to that, but they were excited to see the house, impressed by all the changes, and pretty much only thought about when we would let them run into the back yard to play on the swingset! Then they asked how long until we went HOME (indiana!) It was a good sign they are handling the transition just fine!
As for me, I am already 17 weeks along and can hardly believe it! The second trimester has been great and all of a sudden it feels like this pregnancy is flying by! Next monday the 10th we find out if it is a girl or a boy! that is going to be quite a day for us!
Last night right before bed Seth fell off the ladder to the bunk bed and could hardly walk on his foot or move his hand! (I guess Superman can't fly!) Josh doesn't think he need to be seen- we think he just got some good bruises. I laid wiht him in bed until he slept- of course I fell asleep and when I woke at 10 Josh was still watching the sad election reports.
SO my goals today- since Seth so far doesn't want to walk very far, much less run and play- FIND some fun table activities for Seth and Aggie, and hope Marcus can stay out of trouble! AND get one of Aggie's episodes on camera! and wipe tons of snotty noses without gagging (both boys- yuk! and marcus likes to wipe it on me!) AND of course the usual, try not to get lost in clutter in this house, try to prevent marcus from killing himself and breaking our stuff, and so on!
I will post some halloween pics soon!
Friday, October 17, 2008
Guess the baby!
What a great weekend with Nana and Amy- it went by SO fast! We miss them so much already. I will post some pics of the weekend when I have time. This week has been a break for me- Nana took Seth and Aggie to Michigan where they have been spoiled by both grandmas all week long! They are having a blast, and we are too! Lorraine and I have been doing all kinds of creative things to the house (I seem to have much more mental space for creativity when those two are gone!) One of the things we did was hang some new family pictures- one of each kid as a baby and a few current pics. Here are the baby pics- can you guess who is who?
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