this is a test. this is only a test. (plus good news!!)

Last week we met with a pediatric neurologist  Dr. L to begin Sweet P's neuro care in America.  We were given little info about her medical history regarding her hydrocephalus, so after researching the anti-seizure medicines she takes, K and I agreed we wanted to find out about weaning her off them completely, if possible.  


Dr. L recommended Sweet P have a few initial tests done to set a baseline for her neuro activity, since we arrived home with no images of her brain or charts of her brain activity.  Monday K took her to have an EEG done.  What that tells us is whether her brain waves show a tendency to have seizures.  We were eager to hear.


If you have ever been around a two-year-old and asked them to hold completely still, you know why Sweet P was in a body wrap.  She did really well in it, so I'd call it a success.  

The humor came when the female tech (who is obviously not a parent yet) told K, "See if you can get her to close her eyes for about five minutes."  Come again?  They had previously discussed the fact that she is newly adopted and knows limited English.  Telling her to close her eyes for five seconds was going to be a huge stretch, but for five minutes?  Really?


The tech had him try for a minute and then announced she'd have to do it the "old fashioned way."  Any guesses?  Tape.  They taped my baby girl's eyes shut and she only whimpered.  I'd have been completely freaking out by that point.  The below picture is after they took off a half-dozen probes from her face and ears and removed the mummy-style head wrap.

We found out today that her EEG test came back negative.  We are praising the Lord her brain doesn't appear prone to further seizures!  


Today we met with a neurosurgeon and discussed other action that may be done.  Dr. C doesn't want to do any CT scans since Shiloh is so little.  He doesn't want to unnecessarily expose her to more radiation since she seems to be doing great. 


As he inspected her shunt from the surface (it's not visible since it's inserted under the skin behind her ear), he asked if it has always been dimpled in.  Shunts should bubble out.  Umm, yes.  It's been exactly that way as long as we have had her.  Didn't know it should be otherwise, unfortunately.  The great news about that is it likely means her shunt is not functioning due to a blockage and hasn't been for some time.  This means her body has functioned fine without the shunt's help!  She has had the shunt for 2+ years and has had no seizures since... and who knows but the Lord how long her shunt hasn't been working?!  The first year after the shunt is inserted is the critical time for a recurrence of  seizures, and she's well past that mark.

This may be more technical than you cared to read, but we are truly thrilled that Sweet P seems to be healthy!  She is doing great and adjusting so much better than we could have imagined.  


Praising the Lord for His healing hand, angela