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Just wanted to let you all know that I am so appreciative of all the emails and comments this past week. I am slowly getting through them all.
I think I'm going to take a break from blogging for just a bit - we are fine, Elizabeth is fine (constant headaches still, but Tylenol does help and we're talking to the docs again this week), but I am so very exhausted and need some time to recoup, energize myself once again, and prioritize some stuff.
Back soon! :)
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Okay, wow, you guys. Thank you. Seriously, thank you so much for all of your comments and support.
We did get the EEG results back today and they are normal as well. Good news is that...well...the EEG is normal. Bad news is that we don't have enough information for a diagnosis. The thinking is that it's either a seizure disorder or perhaps complex migraines that can set off a seizure. The pediatrician is leaning towards a seizure disorder, though.
The next step is to take her to a neurologist. The pediatrician is expecting the neurologist to want us to wait 1 - 2 months before our appointment so that we can observe her and document any headaches or patterns in her behavior. If she has another seizure, obviously that might speed up the process, though. I was able to meet with the school nurse (love that their school has a full-time RN on staff) and her kindergarten teacher so everyone at school is up to speed. Her teacher will keep a log of any headaches or spaciness or other behavior as well. I will also be hearing from the neurologist's office myself next week and will have a chance to ask more questions and receive any other information I might need.
The good news is that this is probably very easily treatable and might even be something that she will outgrow. The bad news is that this just sucks right now.
I am feeling much better after today, though. After spending most of the morning talking to the doctor and then meeting with the school nurse and then her teacher, I feel better prepared for what's going on. It's not going to be easy to drop her off at school for full-day kindy, but I know I have to. And Wendy told me that I have to be at least two blocks away for it to count as "leaving" her at school. Dang it - you mean sitting outside in the shrubs doesn't count? :p
Oh, and to those of you who might be confused - and believe me, I am, too some days - this is not Emily who is 8 and was diagnosed with diabetes last fall. This is my 5 yo dd, Elizabeth.
Thank you. And thank you again. And again. And again.
The support means so much to me.
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You never know how quickly your life can change. And I apologize ahead of time for this story - I've had very little sleep and I'm in a state of confusion right now. But, I need to get this written down while it's still fresh in my memory.
On Sunday morning, closer to noon actually, Elizabeth ( 5 years old) had a seizure. It took me a minute to realize what was going on. She had complained of a very bad headache and asked to sit on my lap. I was trying to pull her onto my lap when it seemed as if she started kicking me very hard. I tried to turn her around to scold her and that's when I realized that her entire body was rigid and her eyes were rolling back in her head. In my panic, as I tried to stand up and help, she suddenly went completely limp and rolled out of my arms onto the ground. Her eyes were open, but still rolled back. After a few seconds of me screaming her name, her eyes did gradually focus on me and she started coughing. Then I realized that she was as pale as I've ever seen a human be - green almost. I called my husband, called her pediatrician, and then we ended up calling 911 because she was not very functional at all. She would speak if spoken to, but was mostly just staring at me and continued to be a very funny color. The paramedics took us into the hospital by ambulance and then admitted her for tests. She has had a brain CT scan, an MRI, and an EEG. The CT scan and MRI are normal and we're waiting for the EEG results.
Part of me thinks that she's had seizures before that I didn't know were seizures. The doctors gave me some literature to read and I read it after I got home and something rang a bell. It described tiny seizures that look as though the person has "spaced out" - staring into space for a few seconds followed by a little jolt of awareness and a pale face. She's done that. And always seems to laugh funny at the end and has no memory of me calling her name or anything. My mom noticed it in Maine this summer and commented on it to me and I just blew it off. But, she was struck by the funny look on Libby's face and how pale she was. So, it may have been seizures.
Where we go from here is the unknown. Again. I have such a strange feeling of deja vu. But, with a different kid. Once again we enter unknown territory. Possibly into a disorder that will affect my child's entire future. Again.
I'm not sure where to go right now. Except forward. And to wait. For someone to give me an answer.
Kindergarten starts on Monday. I'm not sure I'm going to be able to just drop her off and walk away from her for the whole day. Again. Just like last fall with Emily. I want answers. I just want answers.
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A photo shoot!!!
I made sooooo many mistakes, but I'm glad because I've already learned so much!
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We have been working with Emily a lot this summer on learning how to control her emotions. Like many gifted kids, she tends to be overly sensitive, a bit less mature than her peers, and a perfectionist. Blend that all together and, basically, you have a girl who tends to cry a lot - LOL! So, we've been working on it. Calmly, patiently, and by giving examples of more mature behavior in scary situations, upsetting situations, or when things don't go perfectly. And she has done an amazing job! She has been scared to death to dive off the diving board, but she did it; upset when corrected by her swimming coach, but she handled it; fearful of getting hurt on a two-wheeler, but she rode it; and I could go on and on. So, we surprised her and let her get her ears pierced. We had told her that she do it when she was 10 and she's only 8 1/2, so she was totally shocked. And oh so happy!!!! She deserved it!
The fear of pain, but no tears! That is soooooo huge for her!
The pride of having gone through with it!
The fun and joy of checking her ears out in every mirror we passed in the mall (she choose tiny garnet earrings - her birthstone (and mine)).
The fun phone call to her grandmother afterwards!!!
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Twelve years ago, we had only known each other for 11 months. And took a chance on love. Having met the previous August, we knew within days that we were meant for each other. Actually Tom knew sooner than me - after spending our first morning together, he told his mother that he was going to marry me. And only two weeks later, we were engaged. My family was shocked (and scared probably). My best friend said it wouldn't last. And I couldn't really understand it myself, but I had no doubt that I was doing the best thing for me. I am not impulsive or spontaneous, but I simply knew that he was the one for me. And I was right. :)
Happy Anniversary, honey! I am yours forever.
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It all started with dh deciding that he wanted a bike. He hadn't ridden one in 25 years, but all of a sudden he NEEDED one. So, off we go and buy him a bike.
Which then led to Emily suddenly deciding that she wanted a new bike. Well, she's 8 years old and has never dared to ride a two-wheeler. So, we told her that if she learned to ride on two wheels, she could get a new bike. I really didn't think she'd do it, but 24 hours later, she was doing it and I was eating my wallet words and off to get a new bike.
Which then led to dh deciding that he couldn't leave the two little ones behind on his bike rides with Emily. So, off to the bike store he went and came home with what we call a "half" bike. Perfect! Now, Elizabeth could ride with them and learn to ride a two-wheeler as well. But, what about Andrew????
Sigh - you can guess what's coming, right? Off to the bike store again and he comes back with a empty wallet a bike trailer for Andrew. But, now, Elizabeth wanted to ride in the bike trailer with Andrew and Emily wanted to try to half bike, so they are all attached to Dad's bike. 
Which, theoretically, would give them all new toys and they could ride off on fun adventures while Mommy stayed home to scrap. Great, fantastic plan! Or so I thought. Ugh...yep.....
You guessed it again. No one was happy leaving Mommy home alone to have lots of peace and quiet and enjoy scrapbooking be lonely, so now Mommy has a new bike, too.
And yes, I totally got a granny bike - complete with big, comfy seat and a cute, little bike rack. And we are broke.:p
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