Sunday, June 22, 2008

:Happening in June:

Abi cut 4 teeth at the beginning of the month. They all came in the first weekend in June. Her top front tooth came in, following with a bottom front tooth. And then the next day, another top front was in, along with the other bottom front. Now she is working on 2 more top teeth. Pretty soon she'll have a mouthful of TEETH!
We took Abi to see Dr. L, her Neurologist the second week in June. She wasn't supposed to have an appointment, but the first Sunday, Abi had a horrible day. She had had 6 seizures by 11 am that morning & then 1 later in the evening. This concerned Dave & I. Normally she was only having 2-3 a day. We got her into the Dr. that following Tuesday because she still wasn't doing any better. We had another EEG performed and Dr. L explained to us what was going on with our little Miss. The good news is her Infantile Spasms are under control. They didn't show up on the EEG. The Dr. believes that the Vigabatrin is doing its job, and that is what is controlling her Infantile Spams. We are so excited for this news! The bad news is that she is experiencing what is called Partial Complex Seizures. We knew that her 'spells' had changed and kind of felt like they were the seizures instead of the spasms. So he increased her dose on the Topamax & we hope that it will soon control her seizures. So far, it has helped, but she is still having about 1 or 2 a day.
As for her development, she is doing awesome!!! She started saying "Da-Da" on Fathers Day. It's the cutest thing ever!!! Along with her vocalizing more, she also has almost accomplished rolling. She can roll to her side, almost belly, but can't figure out to move her arm.
Her Physical Therapy is going well. She had PT a few weeks ago, and it was very informative. We got a new PT & she gave us some more exercises to do with her & stretches for her muscles. She is a little concerned that Abi might have what is called Torticollis <--click to read about). So we are doing stretches with her to get her neck muscles working properly. Also she thinks she is aspirating when she eats. We have to prop her up to where she is sitting fully up while feeding her a bottle and feeding her solids. Also we prop her while she sleeps. We will be having a Occupational Therapist come out to see her and evaluate her. Hopefully they'll help her with her feedings and figure out what we need to do so this no longer happens. She most likely will have a swallow test to see if she is for sure aspirating. It doesn't come as a surprise to us as I thought it would, & I think it's because these girls with Aicardi Syndrome are known for aspirating. We just want to get it under control so she doesn't get all that fluid in her lungs and cause her to get sick. That is one of the reasons her condition is fatal, because of the aspirating part. So we are doing all that we can do to help her to not choke while she eats or sleeps.
Abi is such a joy in our home. We are focusing more and more on the joys of Abi daily, instead of focusing on the uncertainty of tomorrow. We are living in the moment. Enjoying every day together. It's amazing to me how the little things I used to take for granted, before Abigayle, are now so precious to me! We KNOW the Lord is with us! We have been truly blessed by this sweet angel in our home. We feel our Saviors love all the time!!! I do not know where we would be if we didn't have the gospel in our lives. His love, along with everyone else has brought us so much peace and comfort! We feel your prayers. Thank you all for continuing to keep our little Abi in your prayers. She is a miracle!

Da Da!

Abi started saying "Da Da" on Fathers Day!!! What an awesome word to hear her say & on such a perfect day!!!
She amazes us every day!

Rolling

Abi has almost conquered rolling from her back to tummy! If she can just get that arm underneath her to move just a bit. This is so exciting to see!!!
Pretty soon she'll be our rolling machine...