Out of Hibernation

Well, probably the first thing I should do is an update on Erika, since the last blog was about her. I believe I mentioned she had an MRI done of her brain. Well, they found one. Ha, ha. There were no problems there. The first EEG showed some abnormal activity, so they ordered a 24-hour EEG. As a result they decided she had a "seizure disorder", otherwise known as epilepsy, although they like to avoid using that term. At any rate, the neurologist started her on anti-seizure medication immediately in his office before any of the test results were in, just based on what she/we told him. Two days later she was sleeping through the night without any seizures and daytime seizures were reduced in number. Based on this, the neurologist cleared her to return to college, which she wanted to do, even though we weren't sure it was wise. At any rate, she continued to have seizures and in late January the neurologist added a second medication. This resulted in some improvement, but she still wasn't seizure free and was experiencing some pretty bothersome side effects. During this time, we discussed with her regular doctor the possibility of her weaning off some medication she'd been on for a couple of years. As she began to reduce that medication, the side effects lessened and the seizures lessened. Apparently the meds didn't get along too well. So, finally, by March 1 she was seizure-free and has remained seizure free since! Praise God! She also isn't too bothered by side effects now. If she goes a few hours past time for her meds, however, she notices some slight trembling of her arm, which is the sign of a seizure beginning. So, she has to be careful to space her meds 12 hours apart. So, that updates everyone on Erika's battle with epilepsy. By the way, my nephew (my sister's son) also has epilepsy that was teenage onset. He had grand mal seizures, though. As a result of her seizures, she was not allowed to continue in the nursing program, so she will have to make some decisions about a new major. Right now she is undeclared.