Feb 2, 2008

On the day after Christmas Lauren (our 2 year old) had a grand mal seizure – full body convulsions. While in the hospital that day she had 2 more grand mal seizures. They loaded her up on an anticonvulsant and we stayed for 4 days at Utah valley hospital while they ran some tests (EEG, MRI, CT scan, lumbar puncture, blood work). Those tests all came back normal. While we were there she developed an allergic reaction to the medicine and had to be switched to another anticonvulsant. For about 5 days everything seemed to be going fine. Then on New Years day different kinds of seizures started to develop. She would have these staring spells (petitmal seizures), sudden muscle jerks of her arms and legs (myoclonic), and drop seizure where she would loose all muscle tone for a brief period and drop to the ground. She also started having more of the grandmal seizures. That is when we took her up to Primary Children’s Hospital and stayed three more days. They did another EEG (brain activity) and it was abnormal this time. Epilepsy syndromes with this type seizure pattern are very difficult to control and are usually resistant to medicine. How she will progress (mentally) is unknown and usually corresponds to getting the seizures under control. Right now we do not know what is causing her seizures and probably will never find a reason (which is common with most epilepsy).

As many already know she was back at Primary Children’s yesterday because her seizures got really bad this past week. We stayed overnight and the doctors added a third medication. There are many side effects from these medications that affect her personality, cause sleepiness, aggression, and many other things. We are hopeful that we will be able to control her on this anticonvulsant medication but are starting to think of some alternative treatments. Our main goal is to get her seizures under control as soon as possible. Right now she has to wear a helmet to protect her from the many “drop attacks” daily (up to 70). We have to call 911 if her seizures go on for more then 5 minutes, so if you see an ambulance in front of our house you will know why. They don’t always have to take her into the hospital but they do have to check her out and make sure that the seizure has stopped.

I just want to thank everyone for everything that you have done for our family during this stressful time. Everyone has been so kind and helpful and has been such a blessing in out lives. We don’t know what we would do without such a wonderful ward family. We mostly appreciate all the prayers and fasting that you have done for Lauren and our family. We have felt so much love from everyone.