Lets back up to yesterday afternoon to fully understand where we are at today.....
I went to work for a while. I went to an appointment with my partner in the am and then came home for a while. On the second appointment of the day we got half way out to Trophy Club and I got a call from Amy. Sadie had thrown up. My heart dropped and we turned around. I think she had just over eaten. Amazing how my
panic set in and I went right to seizure mode. I bullied my way into see our regular pediatrician. He evaluated her and seemed to be on the same page as the other doctors that it was a febrile seizure and she has a
concomitant flu like illness. He said to listen to the neurologists and that he was glad I didn't jump the gun on the MRI. We went home and Sadie was good that evening.
Today was the day with Dr. E, our neurologist. Dr. E is a very impressive man and a kind person. He speaks very
deliberately and had a
knack for citing studies and percentages. He really connected with us and with Sadie. His philosophy seems to be to treat appropriately but don't over do tests to ensure the peace of mind of the parents, do what is best for the kid. He cited statistics about exposure to radiation through CT scan in
ERs etc. He spent about an hour and a half with us evaluating Sadie and reviewing all of our family history from pregnancy etc. We discussed how Sadie was a c-section baby and how she stopped breathing the hospital because of the mucus, her colic, her
roseola, her motor skill development, her language development. He was very thorough. His assessment was the I was stressed to the max, which he wanted to address third! That is how he talks, very organized and tells you what he will tell you and prefaces it with "I am interested in any illness, not a cold or ear infection." You can tell he deals with worried parents who want to verbal vomit every detail :)
He said he was mostly confidant that she had a febrile seizure. they happen in 5% of the population and peak from 18-36 months. If a child has 1 they are 33% likely to have another and of the group 50% are likely to have another and so on. He described that the symptoms are usually linked to illness and can present with or without fever. They are typically genetic, mike and i have no family history, but can be part of the fetal development process when a gene mutates. They don't cause damage mentally. They aren't
particularly dangerous when they are less than 15 minutes. He even said momentary stopping of breathing isn't bad. Typically kids return to themselves within a couple of hours. The risk of
epilepsy in the general population is .5-1% and with a child with a history of febrile seizures that goes up to 2%. There is no way to know if that is the case without further seizures. His thoughts where that an EEG was not necessary because if it was abnormal or normal, the treatment would be the same. Just watch her. If she has another seizure, we need to note if it happens during an illness and length of time. His overall
opinion was that she looked like she was developing fine.
We discussed brain tumors and he felt that she didn't show any indication of a tumor, we discussed it in detail because I have had a friend or two share stores with me. He said that his
opinion was that given her physical exam and eye exam and motor skills, she looked good. He said he didn't feel that putting her through an MRI and
anesthesia was the right choice given the circumstances. I asked him what if we missed it, he said if we notice anything different to
reevaluate the test. His statement was that a tumor that is slow growing would not be changed much in a couple of months and one that is malignant and quick would not have much chance of a positive outcome either. It sounds harsh when I type it but it made sense at the time also considering he was the 4
th doctor in a week to evaluate her and say the same thing. I still have not put that worry to bed yet, but I am working on it. We are still processing
everything from today and will decide our next steps.
Of a new concern, we mentioned to him how Sadie really doesn't talk much and seems that lately she has stopped saying the few words she did. This did cause him concern. It is hard to be sure, but he wants us to watch and reevaluate in a couple of months where she is at. I brought up my concern of her not talking to our pediatrician multiple times and they all say, no worries she will. She understands everything. She is great at puzzles, I can say Sadie go to mommies room and get my boots and she will search for them. I know she comprehends, but we are concerned that she doesn't talk as much. she used to say a few words, and lately points to what she wants and whines. Could be attitude or laziness but we need to explore further. We will be working on a development plan. It was concerning to hear and adds to the stress we are
already feeling. My mind immediately goes to autism or something. I do
remember my prayer of handle whatever God gives us.
Tonight, Sadie was starving, she seems to be getting over her virus. she kept going to the fridge to get more grapes etc. I think she over ate again because as I was putting her to bed she threw it up all over me and her! Poor baby.
Thank you for your kind words, texts and prayers during this stressful time. We feel your prayers. Everyone always says that being a parent is the hardest thing ever, it is but holding my baby tonight after she fell asleep makes it all worth it :) Love you all. God has blessed us so much with a wonderful child and wonderful friends. We ask for your continued prayers for Sadie and for peace.
I love this picture of my Mom, her beautiful smile. Sadie and Rita were not too sure of the grass and Dodger wanted in on the action
Sadie's smile face cracks me up
Rita is such a trooper and just let Sadie love on her. Sadie wanted to hug her and pat her head like she does her dolls.
Smiling with Rita
Sadie loves her cousin Matthew
