[MountainMomma]

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[MamaAnna]

I don't know what to say. I hope they can stop the seizures. She'll be in my thoughts, as will you and your lost bean.

[MountainMomma]

We are out of the hospital. We are going to MIL's for dinner and when we are home, I'll update you all on exactly what happened.

[mjtamjj]

Steph you are all in my thoughts and prayers. Sending lots and lots of

[MountainMomma]

Shortly after 3:00 (central time) yesterday my son came running inside telling me that Sierra was "laying on the grounding, kicking her legs weird and shaking all over". I ran out back, and she was curled up in the fetal position having a grand mal seizure. She had already vomited on herself and was thrashing around. The dog kept climbing on top of her. (Seeing how the dog acted later and then again when we brought Sierra home, I think she was trying to help her.) I picked her up and carried her to the front porch while my son ran inside to get the phone.

When I called 911 one of my neighbors who I only new by sight (who is the fire chief) heard the call go out and realized that the address was right around the corner. When they heard it was a 10 year old girl, they knew that it was Sierra (his wife is the school secretary) and they ran through our yards to get there and help me. I tried calling my MIL to come get DS but couldn't get through. Their line was busy so the cops went to get her and the neighbor (school secretary) stayed with DS until MIL could get here so I could go with Sierra in the ambulance. By this time she wasn't convulsing, but she was making this HORRIBLE gasping, choking type sound deep in the back of her throat. I was horrified, but I knew that when my brother had his seizure he could hear us, and knew what was going on, so I tried to stay as calm as possible. When we got to the hospital she had stopped making the noise, and she started trying to sit up but was obviously extremely disoriented. She was trying to speak, but all that came out was moaning.

After a while we could make out that she was saying "please help me mommy" and it broke my heart. I was holding her, and they were trying to get her vitals and such. She was so afraid, and she didn't know where she was or what was going on. We didn't realize it, but at that time she couldn't even see what was going on. She didn't regain her vision for 15 - 20 minutes. She told me that she couldn't see, and asked me "is this real?" and "I'm not dreaming?!?" I kept explaining things to her and reassuring her that I was there. Then she asked for DH and once I told her he would be there soon she asked for our minister. The she asked me the one thing that bothered me more than anything..... with tears streaming down her face she looked up and said, "Mommy, am I going to die?" I promised her she wasn't and hoped I wasn't lying.

By the time the doctor got there she had completely regained her vision, speech and was able to stand and even take a few steps. He said that he was ordering a CT scan for the next morning and she would need an EEG in 6 weeks. Then we moved her to a room for the night, and a few hours later while they were checking her vitals again she said she felt dizzy. Then she told me her foot was tingling. Within seconds the whole left side of her body was seizing, but she stayed alert, we kept her calm, and it stayed on just the one side of her body and only last 45 seconds. We got very little sleep last night because we were both terrified that she would have another seizure.

This morning at around 9 am they came and got her at took her for her CT scan. Then we sat...and waited.....and waited....and waited. It was after 5 pm when they FINALLY came in and told us that the CT scan was normal, so no brain injuries that caused the seizure. They said they didn't want to medicate her unless they continue to happen, so they released her from the hospital with a long list of things that she cannot do without supervision. No bathing, no playing outside, no tv or video games.....basically nothing but sleeping unless she's being supervised. And ABSOLUTELY NO tree climbing, no swimming without some sort of life preserver or within arms reach of someone, no bike riding. It's going to be a LONG summer.

She does have to have the EEG in six weeks, (which she'll have to get done while she is in Florida.....is someone going to be around to keep me sane for 8 weeks?!? I so DO NOT want to let her go to Florida now!) and she will have to go see a pediatric neurologist in August if they don't have an opening in the next week. But as long as she doesn't have another one, she will be free and clear to do as she pleases in 6 weeks or so once they get the results from the follow up EEG. We have a family history of seizures that start between the ages of 10 -12 years old and then mysteriously end. Something to do with out of control hormones during puberty.Hopefully this is the same with Sierra and we don't have any more of these.

I know this was really long, and thank you for reading this far. I really appreciate all the prayers ladies. It means the world to me and my family. You're the best!

[MarieJ]

How scary for all of you--your family is in my thoughts and prayers.

[MamaAnna]

I'm so sorry that all of you had to go through that, especially Sierra. She must've been so frightened. I'm glad that she's home and the CT Scan came back alright. I've known epileptics and while I hope that she has nothing like that, and that it is just hormonal, they lived pretty normal lives. They could swim with earplugs, watch most TV shows, etc. The only 100% restriction I know of is they're never permitted a license. If it is hormone related is there anything they could do to help balance them until they balance on their own? That poor girl. And her poor mommy for having to hear that horrible question. I'm sitting here crying just at the thought of my daughter asking that. You are such a strong woman to keep it together for your family during something so frightening.

[mjtamjj]

Steph I am so sorry you and Sierra are having to go through this. I am glad Sierra's CT scan came back normal, and I hope they can give you some answers soon. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. Maybe you won't have to send her to Florida so she can stay close to you, she needs you as much as you need her right now.

[prayingfor#2]

Oh my, that must have been so scary!!! Hopefully it won't happen again.

[MountainMomma]

I apologize if I repeat anything or if I skip over anything.....I am trying to keep people on several different boards/sites updated. We were squeezed in for an EEG and an appointment with the pediatric neurologist today. (They had initially said they were booked up through October.)

The EEG didn't show any major disturbances, but because she's had more than one seizure she has a "higher than 75% chance of having more seizures". The doctor said that she would support our decision either way we decided to go...medicate, or don't medicate unless she has another seizure. Sierra started crying and said she wants to be on medicine if she has to go to Florida, so they wrote out prescriptions. The first is for a rectal gel that we have to have on hand in case she has another seizure that lasts more than 5 minutes. It costs over $300. The second is a pill that she has to take twice a day. It's nearly $200 per month.

I have to go to DHS in the morning and discuss getting immediate Medicaid coverage on an emergency basis so that I can even afford the meds for her. The doctor unfortunately doesn't see any reason after the appointment why Sierra can't travel, so unless I can get them to temporarily suspend visitation, I have to send her.

My ex already said he doesn't want her on meds, so Sierra is afraid that he won't let her take it once she is there. I told her that if that happens, she can call me, and I'll have the police come get her. Hopefully I can get some help tomorrow though and won't have to send her to start with.

[MamaAnna]

What a jerk saying he doesn't want her on the meds. If she's at such a high risk of seizures she needs to be on them or everybody, especially her, will be constantly worried about when the next one will hit. If he isn't going to take it seriously he doesn't have a right to see her. I wish there were something, anything, I could tell you legally that would help. In all honesty though there's very little to help children in this sort of situation. The fact that his daughter fears what his actions regarding her medication will be just goes to show that he is not a man she will love and respect when she grows up. It's going to be you and your DH who are standing by her and supporting her and doing everything you can that she's going to love and trust.