The Story of Jacob: Day 10

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Day 10

Tomorrow morning, Jacob will go to Hasbro
Children's Hospital for a six-hour EEG with
video. We are hoping that this will help to
diagnose the suspected seizure activity that
we have observed over the last few months.
He will resume therapy on Friday and will
"make-up" for tomorrow on the following
Saturday.

1 comment:

Auntie BernardinaFebruary 11, 2010 at 9:55 AM
Hi Jacob... good luck w/your EEG - six hours, oh my! I'm sending you positive thoughts that the results help your doctors diagnose the suspected seizure activity. Hang in there little one!
Love,
Auntie Bernardina
XOXOXOOXO
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His Story

Jacob was diagnosed with Infantile Spasms on May 7, 2009, two days after we observed his first jacknife seizure. He was admitted to Hasbro Children's Hospital that afternoon to begin a course of treatment with ACTH. The next day, an MRI revealed the cause of the Infantile Spasms - a stroke in utero. Two-thirds of the left hemisphere of Jacob's brain was replaced by cerebrospinal fluid. We were discharged after four days and continued the ACTH treatment. After four weeks, the Infantile Spasms and hypsarrhythmia on his EEG were resolved but another seizure type emerged, complex partial epilepsy and myoclonic seizures.

Jacob was also diagnosed with right hemiparesis, a slight paralysis of the right side of his body. He made great strides walking independently but had limited functional use of his right hand. In February 2010, Jacob participated in the Constraint Therapy Program through Hasbro Children's Rehabilitation Center and participated again in August. The program involved intensive therapy with his right arm and hand. Jacob also received physical and occupational therapy and speech therapy through his Early Intervention Provider.

On December 22, 2010, Jacob underwent a left functional hemispherectomy, disconnecting the left hemisphere of his brain from the right hemisphere. Our hope was that he would be seizure-free and off of his anti-seizure medication.

Jacob did not have another seizure following his surgery and within nine months, he was weaned off of his anti-seizure medication.

Although early detection, aggressive treatment, intensive therapy, and self-advocacy have been essential to Jacob's rehabilitation, Jacob is blessed. He is an amazing surprise.

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Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Day 10

1 comment: