May 15, 2011

Praise God!!

Our precious boy had a seizure on Friday. 911 was called, we were taken the ER where they did a CT scan that showed a brain mass. We were transported to Texas Children's so that a pediatric neurologist could examine his scans. They determined that he needed an MRI. The doctors at Texas Children's showed us the CT scan. The mass appeared to be about the size of a dime in Drew's left frontal lobe. The doctors said that this is not a normal place for a tumor to develop. Speculation included anything from an amoeba to a metastasized tumor (could not have been the original tumor based on location). We had to wait overnight for the MRI with this knowledge and these possibilities looming.

On Saturday morning Drew had the MRI and it showed NO MASS. PRAISE GOD. We have never prayed so hard in our lives. Apparently, the CT machine at the first hospital had an "artifact" (dust?) on it that showed up on Drew's scans. Seriously, Praise God!!!!!!! All other blood and urine tests came back normal.

We are still undergoing testing to determine the cause of the seizure. It was not febrile. Blood sugar and blood pressure were normal too. Some calcification was found in Drew's brain during the MRI. It could be the cause of the seizure, or it could be nothing at all. It's something that is usually never found in babies because it can only be seen with an MRI, so usually it goes undiagnosed. The calcification could be from a virus I had while he was in utero (I did get violently ill once while pregnant). It could cause developmental delays in Drew. At this point, they are not concerned with his development. He is a late walker, but so far he's within the normal parameters. The calcification could also be a sign of a metabolic disorder. So we will undergo some more testing including an EEG, more blood work and more urine work (these take 4-6 weeks for results). I will keep you posted.

If you had told me about the calcification 2 days ago I would have bawled and been stressed about my little guy. Today, I am beyond relieved. ANYTHING compared to a brain mass is a relief and a blessing.

We are so thankful and so blessed to have our little guy!!!! There are so many little things that happened during the course of this ordeal that are absolute blessings. Starting with the fact that we just moved to Houston and have access to AMAZING healthcare. If this had happened in Hobbs there wouldn't have a PEDIATRIC NEUROLGIST (times 10) to care for him. He had so many doctors working on him and this was their exact specialty. The clinic he will go to from now on is even more specifically tailored to him - a pediatric seizure clinic. Hallelujah. Amazing health care. Also, we were shopping at HEB when the seizure happened. I went there on a whim (instead of a closer store). This meant I was out in public and had so many kind strangers helping me during the seizure. Also, the location of the store had a clinic in the same building! The nurses there gave Drew oxygen and cared from him until the EMTs arrived. Also, Matt had just called and asked me to get pastrami from the deli before I left. If I hadn't done that, I would've been checked out already and in my car when the seizure happened. Drew is still extended rear-facing so I wouldn't have even seen him seize. I am blown away by how everything came together for him to get the best treatment possible.

Today we are so thankful.

...but I think we will skip all Friday the 13ths from now on! ;)
<3