What's new
As I mentioned in the last post, I wanted to fill you in on how Annie is doing, and things to pray for.
First, the good news: She hasn't been in the hospital since June of '08. She has been quite stable, and for the most part, healthy--with the exception of the cold she has now, of course. Cough, snotty nose, the usual. Please pray that it go away quickly.
Now, for the prayer requests:
1. More strength in her torso, as well as balance. She walks in her gait trainer, but her strength to walk by herself is limited by the weakness in her hips, and general lack of standing balance.
2. Seizures. She still has about 4 or 5 a day. Along with the seizures are the 3 seizure medicines that make her already compromised brain even slower. If the VNS worked, and the seizures went away, and we could wean down/off some of this seizure medicine, we might get a more alert kid.
3. However, I think the effectiveness of the VNS is also affected by The Addison's Disease. Why? Because a normal person has fluctuations of adrenal function throughout the day, but Annie's adrenal function is only as good as the doses of hydrocortisone I give her through the day. If her regular dose is what she needs, great. But if she needs more, I'm usually behind the 8-ball on it, i.e., I realize she needs more hydrocortisone as I am cleaning her lunch off the carpet. Also, I think that some of her seizure activity may be caused by her endocrine system being out of whack. Because this week, as I am giving her more hydrocortisone for her cold, she is having less seizures. And seizures can be caused by endocrine problems. Anyway--this is probably too much information. Even my eyes are starting to glaze over.
Bottom line--please pray that God would tell me what to do. Sometimes I feel like if God would just point out something--probably something obvious--that it could have a huge impact on Annie's recovery, or at least, her quality of life.
Thank you for remembering her in your prayers.
Jean
Remember, O LORD, Your tender mercies and Your lovingkindnesses, for they are from of old. Psalm 25:6