The Story of Jacob: Retrospective

Saturday, January 1, 2011

Retrospective

A catastrophic form of epilepsy with an underlying cause. Brain malformation resulting from a left middle cerebral artery infarction. Two-thirds of the left hemisphere of the brain missing. I do not remember for how long I mourned.

As I studied Jacob's EEG in Boston, I was sad for the left hemisphere, still producing electrical discharges - pathetic electrical discharges - that had no resemblance to the powerful storm from which all of this began. An island of brain tissue allowed to live only to reduce blood loss during surgery.

Rehabilitation of body and annihilation of seizures... we hope. 2010 was a good year. Constraint Therapy, Early Intervention, Left Functional Hemispherectomy. 2011 is the year of recovery... for all of us.

3 comments:

AnonymousJanuary 2, 2011 at 6:17 AM
My prayer for Jacob is a full life of doing a job he loves, having a wife who loves him, and great-granchildren for us!
Grandma Christe
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AnonymousJanuary 2, 2011 at 9:14 AM
Hello to all the Borgueta's. I hope Matthew had a wonderful BD with all his loving family there to help him celebrate and get his life back to normal. He has been a real trouper according to Nana Ripa.
I am still praying for you all as God's work is not done with you all.. Jacob will get stronger as each day goes by until you can no longer keep him down. I can't wait to see him this summer climbing the steps to the slide in Nana's yard. hang in there and 2011 is the year of healing for everyone. love auntie
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Danielle January 2, 2011 at 7:15 PM
I love the way you share your heart...

I'll drop off the bag of clothes for Jacob later this week. I'm SO happy you want them. Even if it makes me sound like a weirdo. ;)

...danielle
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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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Saturday, January 1, 2011

Retrospective

3 comments: