The EEG/Video monitoring has begun!

Yesterday was a busy day of packing and preparing for our stay at Children's Hospital.  Mid afternoon, Erica had a seizure with a very long recovery.  It was as if she passed out after the seizure because I had a tough time getting her to wake and respond to me.  She ended up taking a 4 hour nap.  When she woke, she was feeling up for some friend time at the bowling alley.  Sam and Erica had a blast.  Friendship and family is the best medicine!

Erica and her girls!

Because she had such a long nap during the day, she had a tough time getting to sleep.  Plus she was also very anxious about today.  Erica only had about 4-5 hours of sleep.  In some ways, maybe it is a good thing.  Sleep deprivation is a trigger for seizures, which is exactly what we what for the next few days.

Erica and I checked in at Children's Hospital in Aurora at 10:30 this morning.  We have a beautiful room with a gorgeous view of the gardens. 

Moving in just about everything but the kitchen sink!

Room 616

Beautiful view from the room!

An EEG technician arrived to get her "hooked" up. She attached 27 nodes to Erica's scalp with glue and wrapped her head with gauze to keep the nodes in place.  It took about an hour, but she passed the time watching a movie.  During our stay, Erica will be hooked up to the EEG monitor and videotaped continuously.  She will need to stay in her bed or chair throughout the study.  After the nodes were in place and video recording had begun, she went through a few tests with strobe lights and induced hyperventilation to see if we could provoke a seizure.  Towards the end of her 3 minute hyperventilation test, she began to feel an aura, but it did not develop into a large seizure. 

Nodes are in place and head wrapping begins!

EEG Monitoring Begins

Induced Hyperventilation Test

At noon we ordered our meal and settled into our room.  Erica was so excited that they server buttered noodles and had lots of desserts to choose from.  She enjoyed her chocolate cake so much that it was everywhere in her bed. What a mess!  After lunch, we checked email and texts and were cheered up by so many kind messages and positive thoughts.  Her Algebra class sent her the most amazing video/audio message about what a strong, brave girl she is.  She also received special messages posted on the Children's Hospital website that were delivered to her room.  So grateful to have such wonderful people in our lives.

Message from her algebra class

Messages from loved ones!

Erica is looking forward to having a few friends visit tonight and, although she may not admit it now, excited to see Sam.  We'll post more updates as they come.  Think it's time for a nap...for both of us.  :-)