Neurology & Endocrine Follow Ups

We had been holding off on an update to get results from a few things, but it appears they are taking longer than expected to complete. So we will update on what we have from the follow-up visits last week. We conveyed our observations and concerns over the possible side-effects Elias has been exhibiting from the Keppra, his anti-seizure medication. Neurology agreed that these were likely linked and have added vitamin B-6 twice a day to his medication regiment. There has been some success with counter-balancing the Keppra with this vitamin. It is something we have to crush to be able to give via G-tube, so there is a small process to prepare it. So far it hasn't been too bad and our biggest worry was clogging, but it seems we are crushing it fine enough. We also changed the emergency medication and protocol for if he actually has a seizure again. We will be giving Midazolam. After we draw it up from the vial we will remove the needle and actually push the medicine into the buckle of his mouth - pocket between the gum and cheek. This will allow for quicker absorption into the blood stream. We are also going to give this the next time Elias spontaneously stops breathing to test if the clusters continue or we isolate the behavior. This will help to figure out is that issue is seizure related as pulmonary suspects. The biggest surprise from the appointment was to hear that his neurologist still feels strongly that Elias had meningitis despite the very well reasoned logic from Infectious Disease (ID). To recap, ID felt that Elias recovery time alone was too brief, there were no signs or symptoms prior to the seizure, and a seizure is not the initial presentation of meningitis. Furthermore looking more in depth at his blood work, there were not any of the other tells you typically see. Impressively his Neurologist brought up the point that Elias is far from normal when it comes to lab work, symptoms, and recovery. This makes for a very strong argument against ID's thoughts. Flashback to July 2008 when the tracheostomy and G-tube was placed. Elias was just a bit off, and it was a Mother's intuition nothing physical that made Katharine press the doctors to run tests the night before the surgery. His blood work showed no signals and his physical exams were fine as well. We found out that Elias had full blown pneumonia that went undetected because there were not any "typical symptoms." Elias had to battle for his life after crashing on the operating table. So what does all that mean....well medically, nothing. It means we don't truly have an answer and must proceed as seizures are a new problem that will strike randomly. It also reminds us and deepens the vigilance we use becoming concerned at the smallest of changes. In you or I it would present much stronger, in Elias it may appear business as usual. All-in-All we will simply keep doing what we have been doing, successfully. Before this we had kept Elias out of the hospital for an illness since April 2010, when he had a MRSA blood infection. That includes 2 winter seasons unhospitalized (ie; cold/flu/rsv hell) for a trached child that is amazing, as the doctors reminded us.
We are still awaiting the endocrinology results in reference to the possible adrenal insufficiency or dissolved regulatory response. This may mean another medication daily, a steroid instead of the stress dosing we are set-up with now. We are also going to be checking his blood sugars a few times a week for 4-6 weeks just to make sure things are working as they should. They do not feel this is an issue, but this will make them more comfortable in evaluating the big picture from an endocrine stand point.

We are beginning to see Elias level out a bit and regain some of his energy that has been difficult to watch. He has had a good week overall with the amount of time he will play and how he has felt. Part of it is adjusting and let's face it Elias was very sick so recovery will take time. The doctors did a wonderful job disguising the seriousness of things while he was admitted - giving it due attention mind you, but keeping our stress down and concern level low. However, now that he has improved they have not been shy telling us how very concerned they were and sick he was. Dr. Mehta, his bone marrow/FA specialist commented to us in clinic she has no idea how we handle it, but she is glad that we manage somehow for Elias sake. That is just it, it is for Elias' sake. She also reinforced how challenging and unique he is medically on all fronts. We appreciated the compliment and vote of confidence, which several of his doctors have made over the years. We told her that it helps to have great doctors caring for him and talented enough to handle his challenges and be pragmatic with his plans. They have provided us with the tools and we have embraced them. Without them, along with supportive family and friends we would not be half as strong as we are. It serves as yet another reassurance that we made the best decision coming here for his care and reminds us that he has some of the top doctors in the world - for their fields - working with him. We couldn't ask for more. Thank you for the continued prayers, support, and uplifting motivation. As I posted on Facebook this morning, "Tomorrow will be a better day because we are privileged to be granted the opportunity."