A nurse practitioner from Alexandria's neurologist's office called today to tell us exactly what they found in her EEG test results. The phone call was very encouraging because the nurse was extra thorough and discussed in length a genuine concern for Alex’s wellbeing ... talking to Kristi as more of a friend than a doctor.
First of all, since the EEG monitored Alex both while she was awake and while she was sleeping, the doctors were able to see very abnormal brainwave activity while she was sleeping. This closely matches up with our suspicions that Alex is still having numerous seizures every night while she sleeps. And they were also able to see that the abnormal activity was indeed originating from the part of Alex’s brain that was pinpointed by a PET scan six years ago.
So the doctor’s response to these results was to recommend several avenues of further treatment. The first option is to simply increase the frequency of shocks that Alex receives in her neck from her VNS implanted device. And it was clearly explained that the VNS still has plenty of settings that we can increase it to.
Also, it was pointed out that Alex has grown a lot since her last medication prescription; she is currently only at 50% of the "allowed" dosage for her body weight. So her medication could be increased, too. And since her seizures are mostly at night, we’ll probably just increase her evening dosage.
But as you can tell, much of this search for a cure for Alex’s seizures is trial and error. So we were also given the option to get a second opinion at Miami Children’s Hospital where she received the PET scan.
While we are not planning to go to Miami right away, we would ask for your continued prayers for wisdom both for us and for the doctors as we increase Alex's treatments.
Your prayers and involvement in our ministry are such a blessing. Thank you!
Andy Corley for my bride Kristi and our children Alexandria, Drew and Kaitlyn … all of us working together with New Tribes Mission to reach tribal people with the Gospel.
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