Thursday, February 28, 2008

One Stinky Week

After a wonderful week home from the hospital, Ava began looking "under the weather" on Saturday....and then it started. Somewhere along the line (have no idea when, because we haven't really left the house) she contracted another virus. I have a good suspicion where this came from (A. H.!!!!!) but no solid leads!!!......

Diarrhea. Seven+ times a day, and all through the night. We are now on day 4 with the end nowhere in sight. She's up about 2-3 times per night with cramps and diarrhea, and we've been homeward bound for the past week, as I'm not sure the public can handle it! I took her to the pediatrician today for the once over, and she seems to be staying pretty well hydrated considering.

On Tuesday afternoon I noticed two seizures, the first I've seen in over a week. I immediately took her temperature, and as I suspected, she was febrile (101.5). She hasn't spiked a fever since that day, and I haven't seen any further seizures of note. We have seen a few absence seizures, but have not seen any drop seizures since our return from the hospital.

Yesterday was Christian's 8th birthday. We had his favorite dinner last night, roast beef, carrots, gravy and twice baked potatoes (he wanted to make it EASY for me!!) We're having a little family party for him tomorrow at his cousins house, and he's super excited to get his new bike and all the "good" presents.

Boy, the time really flies. When he went to bed last night, I was telling him about the day he was born, and it really did seem like just yesterday. When I look at how grown up he looks now, and how mature he is getting, it really takes my breath away. I guess there's just something about mother's and son's.....he'll always be my little boy no matter how old he is!

It really does weigh on my heart not being able to spend the quality time with Madison and Christian this past year. Just when we all thought things were settling down.....it all started up again. Such is our life!

All things considered, after ho humming a bit and a few complaints from all of us, we sucked it up, and took it in stride. We've actually had lots of laughs this week, and even though we can't change our circumstances, we can, however, change how we react to them.

Well, it's time to go wash that 3 loads of pretty stinky laundry waiting downstairs (Ava had a busy day....you've got to love that rotovirus!).

2 comments:

Kara said...

That's nice blame it on my kid! When you have the evidence then you can prove it! Until then it will remain a mystery!!!!!!! We had fun at the library. Be on the lookout for two missing Elmo cups!

Danielle said...

Okay...you totally need a diclaimer at the top of this post! ie...put that bagel down...don't take another bite...trust me! :O)

Although I think my bagel added to the humor of the post!

I hope you have a not so icky day today!

...danielle

About Ava

Ava Simone LaBonte was born December 1, 2005, a healthy baby. She was a happy, healthy, normal baby until six months old, when we noticed some odd movements, which we thought were exagerated startles. Ava had her first EEG at 6 months, and it was normal. Six weeks following the EEG, Ava began having head drops....and we knew this time, something would show up.

At 8 months old, Ava was diagnosed with Infantile Spasms, a rare form of epilepsy. She was treated immediately with a 4 week course of ACTH. Ava spent 6 weeks "seizure free". All of Ava's MRI's, CT's, and blood tests have been "normal".

On November 20, 2006, Ava had a grand mal seizure which could not be stopped, and she was put in a drug induced coma. We left the hospital on antiepileptic medication, and have been on medication ever since. Ava is currently diagnosed with Generalized Epilepsy.


So far we've tried the following medications: ACTH, Trileptal, Keppra, B-6, Depakote, Carnitor, and currently on the Ketogenic Diet.