She had her MRI a few weeks ago. She did amazingly well...didn't fight too hard getting the anesthesia this time, and woke right up...happy and ready to go home!
The neurologist called us about 9:30 that night with the results. Audra has a few abnormalities within her brain.
One (periventricular leukomalacia) is most likely a result of her being born premature and it's effects on her development are hard to know. Basically, "it is what it is"...it may or may not be the cause of some of her developmental delays...but it won't progress. Many kids with PVL also have cerebral palsy...Audra does not.
The second abnormality is more concerning...Heterotropia (basically abnormal development) of her grey matter. This finding makes the neurologist more concerned that Audra is having seizures, especially since her EEG was also abnormal. He thinks she may be having absence seizures that we cannot see, and seizures while she is sleeping. I have written before about my "Sleeping Beauty"...and Audra's unique ability to fall asleep anywhere for just a quick 10 minute nap. The doctor is concerned that she is actually seizing, not sleeping during those "cat naps".
So, the next step is to admit Audra to the hospital (on November 13th) for a few days of video EEG monitoring. While I hope that they find nothing...I also hope they find something. The neurologist feels that if she is having seizures, the area of concern is near the language center of the brain and could explain Audra's severely delayed speech.
Identifying a new problem to solve an old problem isn't what I am looking for...
but finding a way for my girl to talk sure is!
If medication to treat seizures helps Audra gain developmental skills then we're in!
This is actually the most hopeful I've been in quite some time. Strange as it seems.
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