Video EEG Scheduled August 7

It has been several months of hurry up and wait. Between our doctors in Austin and Memphis, we have decided to put Anna through another test, which will require our fifth admission to a hospital. We have been waiting for the new Dell Children's Medical Center in Austin to open. Wow! What a blessing to have such an awesome building with such nice caring staff. They have all of the newest equipment and technology, but now we have to make sure that the staff has the experience. Anna's surgery could be considered one of the most complex for Epilepsy patients. Anna is scheduled to be admitted to the Dell Children's Medical Center on Aug. 7. She has to undergo a video EEG. They will basically place the EEG electrodes all over her scalp and then the Neurologist will begin to wean her off of her medications to induce seizures. The room is wired for video and audio to match up her movements with her brain activity during the seizures. This will last 3 – 5 days. Hopefully, the information that is captured will give the Neurologist and Neurosurgeon the information needed to pinpoint the starting point of Anna’s seizures. This could allow them to do a surgery that will eliminate her seizures. The other surgical option does not eliminate seizures, but can only reduce them. We did the same test once before in Houston when Anna was about 14 months old and doctors were not able to find a clear starting point. Our doctors have requested that we repeat the test, because a child's brain is developing and changing between birth and 3-4 years old. The newest surgeon in Austin is optimistic that he will be able to find something. Let's pray for him! During the test, it is hard to move around and Anna pulls at all of the wires hanging from head the entire time. Oh well, hopefully we will be closer to some type of solution, even if it may be only in a reduction.

Whether or not something is determined from this test, it is our understanding that surgery will be scheduled after this hospital stay and not something that they would do immediately. We are hoping that something happens before the end of the year.

We are so thankful to be able to do this in Austin. My faithful parents will be travelling here to keep Camille entertained and keep our home as normal as possible. As you can imagine, Camille gets a little out of sorts when little sister is in the hospital and she doesn't quite understand everything that is going on around her. Mimi and Jack Daddy are really good at keeping her busy and happy!

Keep Anna in your prayers. We are praying for comfort, strength, and good sleeps! Most of all we want this test to reveal the results that the doctors need to perform the right surgery. We have faith and know that she is in the best hands. Not just with the doctors in Austin, but in God's Hand's!