Just to pickup where I left off.. Darin finished the posting for me while I gave Kate a shower and convinced her to take a nap. Children's Hospital has been so wonderful. They make everyone feel like they are the patient not just the real patient. They ask if we need an extra bed or if we've had dinner. Katelyn is loving all the attention and fun things going on. Our first day here Sunday, Katelyn pretty much laid around while they continued to check her vitals and make sure she was comfortable. She's on top of the world because she had control of the remote and could watch the Disney Channel without anyone complaining. The pediatric neurologist came to see us Sunday evening just before the grandparents and Darin left for the day. The neurologist was the shinning star of the day because he could offer some answers to all our questions. He said that Katelyn has nocturnal seizures (meaning they come at night when she's sleeping.. usually 30 minutes to 2 hours after they have gone to sleep. They are minor seizures and do not cause damage to her brain.. yeah! She will have an EEG and MRI on Monday to determine if there is anything more to be concerned with and to figure out if she will take medication for her seizures.
The grandparents, Darin and Emma left Sunday evening for home while I stayed the night with Katelyn. I could tell she is starting to feel better because she wanted to explore and find the play room. She also saw another little girl with ice cream and asked about it. She showed her where it was, a little while later a nurse came in and saw her ice cream and said you can have another one too.. Katelyn's eyes got big! Nighttime came with concerns about her going to sleep and the possibility of her having another seizure on the back of everyones mind. They installed special pads over the railings on her bed in case she has a seizure she won't hurt herself. We already discovered a pretty big bruise on her knee from one of the previous episodes. She also has a monitor on her finger that shows her oxygen level and heart rate. It beeps if she's low or has it positioned wrong. It also warns her nurse. So this is comforting in the middle of the night if she has an episode they would be made aware immediately. She also has a IV start needle in her arm, they have not had to use this yet but it was put in before could go on the helicopter.. I suppose so they would have quick access. They will use it for her MRI to sedate her during the test. Thankfully the night went well.. she did not have any episodes. I slept with her.. Her only request was for me to "tickle her back" which is a Hawley tradition I've come to learn. She was awoke by the nurse at 5am tho because they wanted her to be sleep deprived for her EEG test that day. Neither one of us were excited about this.
She was allowed to have breakfast but that would be her last meal until the MRI test at 4pm. She's not too happy about not being able to eat or drink all day. The EEG test happened at 8am and went well. They stuck electrodes with this goopy cement stuff to all over her head. They had to measure her head and find the exact places to put them. They had her do a series of things while the computer recorded her brain activity. She needed to close her eyes while they had a a light blink slowly for 10 seconds and then it would shut off for 10 seconds. Then it would blink faster and faster.. Then she did some deep breath and finally they had her lay still and rest with the hopes she would fall asleep. She finally did.. even snored! and the test was done. We don't know the results yet but will learn about everythingafter the MRI later this afternoon. We are uncertain if she will be released this evening or not. I'm kind of hoping they will keep her and monitor her one last night..We will keep you posted.
For some reason the hospitals internet does not allow access to blogger so genius Daddy figured out a way we can update it via email. We will continue to update as we can. Emma and Bronson are having playdates with the Peichels today. What a releif knowing they are taken care of! Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers.
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3 comments:
Saima & Darin, you and your family are in our family's prayers. We wish Katelyn a speedy and full recovery.
Hoping you are not going too nuts. We are praying, praying, and praying. Emma is getting nervous -- wants to come to see her sister. They'll be down after dinner.
Saima and family - Marie Reiter forwarded your blog to me. My 5 year old daughter recently started having seizures as well. It is awful and scary, but it sounds like you are in good hands. Which pediatric neurologist are you seeing? We also ended up at Children's and had a wonderful experience there (as wonderful as being in a hospital can be!). Please feel free to contact me if you want. Marie has my phone number and e-mail.
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