MRI

Yet another MRI.  I had to have a follow up MRI on my left knee because I am still experiencing pain and discomfort. 

Jessica goes for her MRI

Jessica's doctor's appointment went very well yesterday.  She met with the doctor for over an hour and then we had her blood work done at Kosair's children's hospital (just because she tends to pass out).

Today Jessica had her MRI appointment at Highfield Imaging place at 5:45.  Mark took her.  She had to have contrast, so they shot something in her veins. 

Ironically, it was one year ago exactly that Robert had his MRI at the same place around the same time.

Jessica's Neurologist Appointment

Today is a BIG day - we have an 8:00 am appointment with Dr. Rebecca Woods DO.  She is a neurologist with Norton Healthcare.

We are so very hopeful that she can shed some light on the test results from the Baypointe and St. Luke's hospitals - especially the EEG results.  We really need her to order the MRI and CT for further evaluation.

We arrived early 7:45 to fill out paperwork... then wait... (typical)

At 8:25 Doctor Woods came to see us.  We visited with her for a very long time sharing both instances where Jessica passed out in the Philippines.  She was very attentive and interested in our story.

We went over the whole history:
one year ago - Jessica passed out first thing in the morning with a rash on her body - erythema multiforme; heart rate drops to 20 bpm for 5 days, released to a regular room on the 6th day, released from hospital on the 10th day.  

After hearing this story she was convinced Jessica had contracted a virus that caused her heart rate to drop so low.

Continuing with the most recent event:
on 7/27 Jessica woke up feeling fine, but after standing to wash the dishes felt nauseous, clammy and then passed out.  She was taken to ER where her heart rate was only 40, blood pressure was 80/60 and she had an irregular heart rate.  They were considering a pace maker.  They did gobs of tests ... results showing a bacteria infection (treated with Cipro changed to Augmentin), Doppler turned up a slightly enlarged thyroid gland, but the most significant was that the EEG came back stating an abnormal rhythm of her brain, with electrical spikes every 3-4 seconds.  Very strange!  Jessica was sent to Manila to be retested one week later at St. Luke's Hospital (12th best in the world) - this test came back showing the same results but with electrical activity in all four lobes of the brain.  They are suspecting EPILEPSY!

However, after Dr. Woods read the EEG from Baypointe (first hospital) she doesn't believe Jessica has any abnormal brain waves, but rather the EEG was picking the impulse from her electric pump IV.  She said it was way too predicable and regular plus it had such a sharp up and down movement.

She is convinced Jessica doesn't have any issues, but rather it was syncope that has caused everything.  She ordered the MRI.  She also ordered another EEG (Jessica's 3rd) to get a good read from something she ordered (there was data missing from the two previous EEG readings), she also ordered blood work and an ultra sound for the slightly enlarged thyroid. 

We left her office and got Jessica's blood work done immediately.  The other tests have to be ordered and scheduled by the doctor.

Robert Requires MRI

Robert had been experiencing some pain in his right hip for these two weeks off and on.  At first he didn't want to go to the doctor, but after a while Betsy decided we'd better get it checked out.

We saw Stacie Grossfeld on Wednesday at 2:50.  Robert wined and complained the whole way there upset that he was missing school and declaring that nothing was wrong.  I really hoped he was right, but I also knew we needed more information.

After she examined him, she ordered a STAT MRI.  Oh my goodness!  She suspects a stress fracture in the hip.  Can this really be happening?  He's so young and we have so much going on...

At 8:00 pm Robert had his MRI done.  It took about  45 minutes.  He was a great patient.
We see the doctor tomorrow at 11:45 am.

THURSDAY:

After getting Karl from the airport and settled into the home, I picked up Robert at school and headed off for the doctor's office again.  Three doctor appointments in less than 24 hours.  That's very good service.  We were pleased to read on the report that he did NOT have a hip fracture, but it did say that he had a stress injury in the Anterior Inferior Iliac Spine.

Robert has to take two weeks off of activity and then he can return at 1/2 practice.  This week counts as week 1, next week will be week 2.  The good news is that he will only miss the first 3 games ... hopefully that's all.

MRI Results

What great news!  It was Monday afternoon before we knew anything.  Betsy had called the doctor on Friday for the results, but she wouldn't be in to the office until later that day.  We all waited for the results but they never came.

Finally, Monday afternoon the doctor's office called with the great news.  Robert ACL had healed 100%.  It was completely in tack!

Oh, we are so happy!  Robert didn't believe it at first.  I think I had to repeat the results six different times saying it just a little different each time so that it would register - you are healed, it is fixed 100%.  There isn't a tear any more!  Your knee is 100% healthy.

That night we went to the first soccer practice since December.  It was so good to see him out there with the other boys.

Robert's Second MRI

Hi,

Today Robert had an appointment at Kosair Children's Hospital at 7:00 AM to have his second MRI test done.  It's a long process (approximately 1 hour) where Robert is in the MRI machine.  This is to find out if the torn ACL has healed and fused back together or not.  We are all very hopeful and prayerful that the test results will show favorable.

He did very well and now we just have to wait for the results.