Gage's neurologist called today with the EEG report. He is now having atonic drop seizures. These are occurring in the same region that the focals seizures were coming from so we are adding another medication to treat those. So far the keppra, which is used to nip the focals in the bud, is doing it's job and hopefully adding this second medication will stop the other kind too. This does not change his prognosis, but it is something that we need to treat so he can continue to thrive as he has been.
This was not something that we wanted to hear but I still praise God even as I want to scream and cry and hit something. He is and has come so far in such a short time...that's what his awesome neurologist kept telling me on the phone as I sobbed into his ear. He's such a sweet man. I can't imagine it's every doctor's wish to console a hormonal pregnant woman over the phone about her child, but he did.
What's our next step? Deep breath...here goes. We are going to do a repeat MRI very soon as well as a lumbar puncture while he is under to test for any metabolic disorders that could be causing the seizures. We will also be doing a MEG scan. A MEG scan is used in conjunction with the MRI when looking for any abnormal brain tissue that may be causing Gage's seizures. Though surgery is not on the table yet these are all preliminaries to see if he is a candidate. Can I be hopeful that this may be the answer for us? That surgery may take all this away and allow my child to be free of medications? Part of me says yes, while the other part of me is so fearful of that possibility... Cutting into my child's brain? How can I want that at the same time not want that freedom for him?
Plenty of people live with epilepsy and lead enriching lives. They have families, they go to school, they drive cars, have successful careers... But I still hate it.
Peace has already settled over me. Gage is a fighter and so am I with God in my corner.
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