Natalie Meets Dr. Nickels

Is today over with yet? It seems like it's lasted FOREVER! Don't get me wrong...it was a productive day...just very LONG.

It started out for Natalie and Perry at 5:00 a.m. We had to wake Natalie up a couple of hours earlier than normal so she would be sleepy for her first EEG. Thank goodness the clinic had an EEG hat to fit Natalie's little head. She's had three EEGs now where the techs have had to individually place each electrode to her head. By the end of this, she is usually screaming and crying. Her little pink hat fit perfectly today, and an hour later, we were out of the clinic. Unfortunately, Natalie didn't exhibit any of the seizure-type activity that we're used to seeing, but isn't that the way it always goes? :) It DID show something the neurologist was looking for---and I'll get to that in a bit.

Next up (about five hours later) was the consultation with Natalie's new neurologist, Dr. Kate Nickels. Once again, we told Natalie's story and explained our concerns about Natalie's seizure activity of late. We went over EVERYTHING! Dr. Nickels was amazing---and really did a good job of encouraging us about Natalie's progress thus far, as well as the outlook for her. She told us that Natalie's early morning EEG showed exactly what she expected to see of a child who has had large brain events. The good news is that there are many options out there for Natalie...and that we've just hit the tip of the iceberg when it comes to treating her seizures.

Tomorrow, Natalie has an MRI and another EEG. This time, the EEG will be more in depth as it will be a 24-hour video EEG. Natalie has had two of these before and they've been extremely beneficial. I'm hoping they'll just use a little electrode hat on her, but I'm guessing they will probably glue each electrode individually to her head. Yuck! I hope Natalie handles this better than she has in the past. Perry will stay with her at the hospital since Calvin still just can't make it through the night without me. He did a great job with Grandma Cheryl today, though, and allowed me to be away for both of Natalie's appointments.

After the MRI and EEG, we will have another consultation with Dr. Nickels (on Wednesday). When that is done, we'll be able to come home! I already feel like we've been gone forever.

Everyone was right--Mayo Clinic is an amazing place. We're lucky to have it so close by. Thank you for all of your prayers---keep 'em coming!