Last week we had an appointment with a Neurologist regarding Morgan's "spells" of lethargy/vomiting...we spoke about several possibilities and if she is having absent seizures which apparently are very uncommon in babies and young toddlers (more common in older toddler/children). Potentially looking for Complex Partial Seizures which may cause these episodes and suggested next step was to have an EEG.
Yesterday morning I grabbed Morgan out of bed bright and early and brought her up to the clinic for an EEG (still in her PJs). The worst part was the prep and listening to her scream & pinning her hands down while they put the "goo" on in 25 different spots on her head and attached the electrodes. She did like the gauze "hat" over all of it though and did pretty well sitting on my lap reading books and watching Elmo while they recorded her brain activity for about 45 mins. Always hard to be the one holding her down while doctors/nurses do uncomfortable things- feels like parents are supposed to be the ones comforting and protecting not aiding the scary people :(. And then trying to wash the "goo" out of her hair, well that was fun...
I just heard back from the neurologist on the results of the EEG though and I think good news. They saw a little bit of irregular pattern in the back of her brain but it is very borderline and they do not think something that would explain these episodes. Nothing they are concerned about for now or that would require any further treatment or medication. So for now we continue to monitor and hopefully we don't see the spells again!
My Journey with hydrocephalus and Cerebral Palsy
Morgan Grace was born 3 1/2 months early on Aug, 21, 2012 weighing just 1 lb 7 oz and 13 inches long. Morgan was hospitalized at Children's Hospital NICU in Minneapolis, MN for 108 long days. During this time she encountered many medical challenges common to "micro preemies" but most devastating was to hear she had suffered from grade III/IV Intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH / brain bleed). We were told she may never walk or talk and they would not be able to tell the severity of the damage until she is older. The IVH resulted in Hydrocephalus, a condition she will have for life. At two, Morgan was also diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy.
I have found it very difficult to find information online - stories and information on hydrocephalus, shunts and people's experiences - so decided to write this blog to share what we have been through. I hope some day that Morgan can take over writing from her perspective. More importantly I hope maybe it can shed some light for other hydrocephalus and Cerebral Palsy patients and families. We welcome comments and questions.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia:
Hydrocephalus is also known as "water on the brain", is a medical condition in which there is an abnormal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the ventricles, or cavities, of the brain. This may cause increased intracranial pressure inside the skull and progressive enlargement of the head, convulsion, tunnel vision, and mental disability. Hydrocephalus can also cause death. It is more common in infants, although it can occur in older adults.
The cause of Cerebral Palsy is a brain injury that occurs while the brain is developing. As a result of the brain damage during brain development a child's muscle control, muscle coordination, muscle tone, reflex, posture and balance can be affected.
I have found it very difficult to find information online - stories and information on hydrocephalus, shunts and people's experiences - so decided to write this blog to share what we have been through. I hope some day that Morgan can take over writing from her perspective. More importantly I hope maybe it can shed some light for other hydrocephalus and Cerebral Palsy patients and families. We welcome comments and questions.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia:
Hydrocephalus is also known as "water on the brain", is a medical condition in which there is an abnormal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the ventricles, or cavities, of the brain. This may cause increased intracranial pressure inside the skull and progressive enlargement of the head, convulsion, tunnel vision, and mental disability. Hydrocephalus can also cause death. It is more common in infants, although it can occur in older adults.
The cause of Cerebral Palsy is a brain injury that occurs while the brain is developing. As a result of the brain damage during brain development a child's muscle control, muscle coordination, muscle tone, reflex, posture and balance can be affected.
