Sunday, April 25, 2010

More EEG results...

I took Dray to speech therapy the other day, and Melanie (his speech therapist) asked if we had his April 20th EEG results back. I usually call Dr. Thompson about a week later to get the results, so I told her I would be calling him the next day. But, then she realized that she could get access his records through the IHC computer system, and got the results for me. The seizure activity is still looking good and holding at about the same level, maybe a little better. The seizure activity is very infrequent. Todd and I's next question is how to get rid of them completely. I did ask Dr. Thompson this question the last time we talked, but he seemed to think that would be difficult to accomplish that at this stage. He mentioned that in his opinion seeing this kind of EEG was exactly what he was hoping for. He also did not want to, at this point, fiddle with new medications before we got him in a completely stable place with the steroids. We need to know that the steroids will hold him at this level. But, I will be persistent in this no matter how impossible that dream may be. Well, right now it feels like a dream to have that. Although, we never give up.

The unfortunate part of all of this is that my worst fear, well almost worst fear, is happening. It's one thing to get the seizure activity under control, and it's another thing to see actual real improvement in language. My fear has always been that we would get this under control and that we wouldn't see improvements. That is how I feel at the moment. I don't see a big change in him. He is not really showing improvement at all. He's basically stuck where he has been since about the summer of 2009. Of course, there has been highs and lows, but always about the same level of speech. He just isn't really understanding people yet, and he is not really talking much more coherently and fluently. He just isn't using language very effectively beyond just getting something he wants. I have been told it takes some time, but on the other hand I have heard of other people's children having quick improvements. So, I feel great anxiety and stress over our lack of improvement.

But, I will end this on a good note. Dray is picking up reading MUCH better than I ever expected. If I show him a new word and we sound it out with him looking at the letters... it is so much easier for him to say it. So, he has started reading little beginner books, which he just picks up really fast. I decided the other night that reading will be a great way for him to learn conversation and sentence structure. I have written out little simple conversations that he can read. He just needs help with how to say things in full and complete sentences and how to respond to others in an appropriate way. He does okay with this for the most part, but he has a strong tendency to not use sentences, and to just jargon with one word responses and comments. We tried it for the first time last night, and it went well for his first time. We are always trying something new, and eventually something will click for him.
Check out Dray's final ski trip... he is an awesome skiier!! Well, for only being able to go skiing about 3 times this year.

3 comments:

  1. Thanks again for sharing. We are constantly thinking of you guys and the kids are so cute to remember Dray in our family prayers. We wish it were all great news but will continue to pray and hope for the best! we love you all!

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  2. Oh what a doll! He just tugs at my heart! Thank you for sharing. We pray for him daily (and more). Love Mom

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  3. Kerri, you may want to try the BOB books. We LOVED those. The beginning ones are very simple. After doing these for 3months last year his kindergarten teacher emailed me and asked if I was doing something at home b/c she was seeing tremendous improvement at school. The BOB books made reading click. Braxton is counting down the days now till school ends and "Dray gets to come visit Texas".... then he blushes and says "Kate too".

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