Cycling low again

Last week, Annie started to trend low again--so we increased her hydro dose and watched for symptoms. She's been sneezing, but no fever, no coughing.

On Friday we had a regularly scheduled neurology checkup, and of course Annie timed her big seizure in the weights and measuring room, where the nurse saw it, but not the doctor. Not a big deal, though, since she has been averaging only one seizure every couple of days--which is good seizure control for her. It was a pleasant visit in spite of the fact that Annie was postictal the whole time. The doc checked her vagus nerve stimulator to make sure it was working right, and noted that she has about 3 1/2 years of battery left before it needs to be taken out and replaced.

After the neurology appointment, we headed over to have an echocardiogram done. Her nephrologist (kidney doctor) ordered it to see if her heart muscle was being affected by her chronic hypertension. (Remember that when she had the brain injury, she also suffered damage to her kidneys, which were in the process of shutting down.) It occurred to me on the way to the echo lab that having her lie still for a half hour would be on a par with the parting of the Red Sea. Annie is the little girl who falls asleep sitting up. Lying down is not something she does willingly. I don't know what part of her brain or brain injury causes her to be hyper-vigilant, but she does not willingly lie down for anything. She falls asleep slumped forward with her head buried in her blanket, and before I go to bed at night, I gently place her on her side. So, surprise--the echocardiogram was unsuccessful--we could not get her to relax enough to have the tech put cold jelly on the wand and run it up and down on her chest. Go figure. I guess if it's a critical piece of information, we'll have to sedate her to get it done.

Next week is her dentist visit. Maybe I'll ask to be sedated for that one.

Jean