Today we had Reagan's follow up neurology appointment at Children's Medical Center.
While we were not given a solid answer to why she had her seizure, and why it was such a long one, we were given some information that will help us while they dig a little deeper.
While she was in the ER at Howard County they tested her for the flu, she tested positive for flu "a". Because of that they are ruling the seizure a femoral seizure, one that is brought on by an illness. Recent studies have shown that the seizures are brought on by the illness itself, and that the fever is just a sign of the illness.
To make sure there are no other problems we will be scheduling an MRI to check on the ventricle in her brain that has been enlarged since she was in utero. They will be checking its size as well as the tissue surrounding it.
We were also told that the doctor there had never heard of a seizure brought on by a breath holding incident. He said that that day was most likely just a "perfect storm" of events.
In regards to the breath holding that Reagan seems so fond of doing, the doctor said that that could be a result of low iron, which we know that Reagan has. So we started up the iron drops again today.
Being asthmatic, one of the scariest things for me was the fact that during the seizure her lips were turning blue. The doctor explained that during a seizure the muscles in your chest that make it move visibly don't get all the blood they need to pump to the rest of the body. She would still be breathing even though it isn't as visible as this mommy would like. This is why her oxygen level was good throughout the entire seizure.
He also assured me that seizures don't always turn out like her last one did. That the reason she was intubated was because they were transporting her and because of all the sedation she had, her airway couldn't be protected without it.
As of right now, they are saying that she should grow out of it by age five. Of course, there is always a chance that this could turn into epilepsy, but that chance is slight.
I am looking at getting CPR certified, and the doctor assured me that between that and the medicine they gave us to give her for a prolonged seizure, we are as prepared as a hospital for another attack.
So while we didn't get concrete answers, I feel like I have a bit more peace of mind. I still feel like I am "recovery" mode, but things should slowly get back to our normal level of insanity!
