Praises!!!

Can you guess by the title what I am going to say?

Michael had a 3rd EEG this morning, this time at the neurologist's office. His EEG was normal, and he has been cleared. Of course, the neurologist says it's because the EEG was done in his office, by his technician, where he can control everything. (Hmm, 2 EEGs showing suspicious activity, and he wants to take the credit for the normal 3rd one? Possible, but I think there's more to it than that.) The MRI he had the other day was normal as well. The neurologist believes that the blinking is a mannerism that Michael has developed, aka motor tic.

Yes, we will continue to watch Michael. Yes, there is still a possibility that he could develop seizures, but so could any of the rest of us. I will be speaking to his teacher and the other school staff so they will know what to look for in case he does begin to have them.

Do I believe that this is the end of the matter? My belief is, probably not. My hope and prayer, "Please God, let Michael be completely healed of this and never have to worry about it again." Realistically, I know God's will for our lives is also God's perfect will, even if we question it.

Thank you everyone for your love, prayers, and support.

Neurologist's Appointment

We just got home the neurologist's office. Thankfully, he doesn't think it seizures. However, Michael has to do yet another EEG (3rd), but this one will be done at the neurologist's office. I'll let y'all know when we get the results from that. Now, I'm off to find some nourishment for my stomach.

Intermediate update on Michael

Well, I finally talked to the neurologist. According to him, both of Michael's EEGs are "suspicious" but are not showing "classical seizure activity." He is consulting with a colleague on Michael's case, and he is having his office work us in around 9am Monday morning. It is possible that we will have another EEG done in the neurologist's office.

Mom, if you're reading this, thanks so much for everything you've done for me lately. I love you!

Sneak Peek at Michael's MRI

Quick update on Michael --

He had a 2nd EEG this morning, followed by an MRI this afternoon. Mom was able to bring his MRI up on the computer in NICU and review it with the neonatalogist that she works for. While he is not a neurologist, Mom says that he didn't see anything big wrong such as a tumor or missing chunks of brain. Yes, we cheated a bit doing this, but at least it relives a little bit of concern.

Now, for the waiting part again...

And the Countdown (Officially) Begins

Ok, so technically, I started counting down the days until school starts a long time ago. We just got home from registering Hadassah and Michael for school, and I registered Kimberly on July 21. August 25 is our first day of the new school year... and possibly our last year at Austin Montessori.

Our children love school. I remember the year Hadassah was in PK. She was devastated that she couldn't go back to school for the whole, entire summer. I love that my children love school. Austin has been a great school for them, and I love it as well. If I could pack up the school and teachers, I would so I could take them wherever we go.

Hadassah and Kimberly have the same teachers they had last year. Michael has a different teacher, but she shares the teacher aide with his 1st/2nd grade teacher. Of course, I had to leave the medical information form for Michael blank until we find out what is happening with him. I do know that no matter what is going on with him, the faculty will be as helpful as they always have.

To those of you who have chosen to educate our future, thank you. Even if it's not my children in your class, I appreciate what you're doing.

How Times Change .... (Part 2)

I hope you remember where I left off, but I don't. The hazards of motherhood, being gone for a week rather unexpectedly (both the being gone and the length we were gone), a long drive back across Texas, and stress all do weird things to one's mind. Let me catch up...



During what should have been a restful, carefree weekend with my loving extended family that I don't get to most of often enough, my 8 year old son started doing some rather odd and erratic blinking, as well as a little bit of face scrunching and a couple of head twitches. So far, he has seen his pediatrician, been taken off his Claritin, and had an EEG, a sleep-deprived EEG. Why is it that things like that mean more sleep-deprivation for the mom than the kid in question?

Michael's pediatrician called me (yes, her and not her office) with the results. The neurologist found some abnormal brain activity that is possibly seizures. She scheduled him for a repeat EEG and an MRI on August 6th.

Honestly, I had considered seizures, but promptly dismissed them. The way he is presenting seemed to be much more like Tourette's or another tic disorder. Even Mom told me that his symptoms sounded like Tourette's. As a mommy, of course, I was hoping for a diagnosis of a simple motor tic that he would outgrow. As his mother, I'm watching him (and videoing off and on), doing my research, taking him where he needs to go... basically doing the mother thing. As his mommy, I'm trying not to randomly think about it too much, bite my lip, and trying not to let him or the other kids see me get upset about it.

I am thankful though that I grew up with a mom who is a nurse and let me peruse her literature. I am glad to know that my EMS training will never be wasted and will always be useful as long as I have children, especially ones that take after their daddy so much. I am thankful that I have a wonderful husband who has more than enough strength for me to lean on when I have none left of my own. And, I am grateful to have a loving family I can turn to.

I love you all very much, and I will keep you as up-to-date as I can. For now, I'm off to write y'all a mass email and do some more research since it is now possible that my son may have something more serious than what I had first thought.