Day 10

Surgery

Hannah was taken into surgery about 8:30 this morning to remove the grids of electrodes.  Even though she was having brain surgery, her biggest concern was the Foley catheter.  After having had a catheter removed three times in the last week, she was adamant about not having one for this procedure.  Fortunately her anesthesiologist and her surgeon accommodated her request and worked together so that she wouldn’t need it.

While we were waiting in the surgery waiting area, we talked quite a bit with Hannah’s chief neurologist.  He conveyed how much Hannah has touched the entire team of neurologists, neurosurgeons, residents, EEG techs, nurses, etc., and how disappointed they all were that surgery wasn’t an option for her.  They’ve all come to care a great deal about Hannah in more than a doctor-patient way.

Surgery went well, and the grids were removed without any complications. We joined her in the PICU about noon.  Once again she made a quick recovery, and was soon watching TV, eating, drinking, and talking a lot.

Seizures

In the early afternoon though, she had a seizure.  Then shortly after that, she had another.  Then she started asking questions about her surgery.  We started to explain how the doctors discovered her seizures were starting in the same area of her brain as where her muscles moved yesterday during the mapping.  She quickly figured things out and interrupted us with “so I can’t have MY brain surgery?” (meaning the surgery to remove the “bad” part of her brain).  When we confirmed this, she began to cry.  Then shortly after that she had another seizure, and then continued to have them throughout the afternoon and evening.  After one of the seizures, she said between tears “I can’t take my seizures anymore.”  As of 11:00 pm, she has had eight seizures.

Technically, her seizures are classified as “Simple Partial” seizures. “Simple” because she does not lose consciousness, and “partial” because it originates in one hemisphere of the brain.  But, when you witness her seizures, there is nothing “simple” or “partial” about them.  Her legs and arms and hands suddenly stiffen up, her face becomes contorted, her body starts jerking, and she makes unusual guttural sounds.  This usually lasts about 20-30 seconds, and is then followed by an increased emotional state of a minute or two (usually sobbing). Afterwards, she is physically and emotionally drained.  Especially if she’s had several in a row.

Prayer Request

Hannah needs a lot of prayer.  Please pray for her to have the strength to endure.  That she not be continuously discouraged or feel hopeless.

Thanks,
Mom & Dad