I don't remember if I posted that he had had an excellent decrease in seizures a couple months ago. For about six weeks, he stayed pretty consistently between five and nine a day. Some were really big and, more days than not, he would fall asleep for a while because a seizure would take so much out of him. It was disconcerting that he was having such severe seizures, but it was encouraging that they were consistent and we were hoping to schedule his surgery (to correct his "lazy eye"). The neurologist wanted blood work done first to check his liver function and platelet count (clotting cells in the blood); both can decrease due to taking Depakote. The day we got his blood drawn, he started coming down with a cold and the seizure count increased to 35. The cold came and went, but the seizures stayed between 35-55 daily. His blood work showed that his platelet count had been somewhat reduced. It was still in the normal range, but it was lower than it had been and we don't want to see it get much lower. The platelet count can drop as the Depakote dosage increases, so Dr. Burris did not want to increase the Depakote again.
Last Wednesday we went in and talked new drugs. Thursday evening, we began Felbatol. It is a liquid, which we like because Lucas takes it easier. We don't have to worry about how much he eats or if he has medicine on his fork/spoon and the swats it out of the way and it flies across the room. :) He seems to like the taste just fine. We are thankful for this. I'm sure every parent out there (even pet-parents) know that it is painful to force something on a sweet little Love who does NOT want it. :) We began decreasing his Depakote last Wednesday evening and he will be finished with it entirely in just over a week.
It is difficult to say if there has been any positive effect as of yet due to the fact that Lucas has again come down with a bug. He's got a snotty nose and cough and has lost his voice (which is actually really cute!). I will say that the intensity of the seizures has decreased to some degree, but it I don't want to say anything for sure until he is feeling better.
As for prayer requests, I guess I will ask again that none of the negative side effects occur with this new med, especially bone marrow or liver failure, and that the med will work even if he gets a cold or has a growth spurt or misses a single dose or whatever else seemingly insignificant thing that can sometimes throw off the effectiveness of a drug occurs. We pray that this will work, successfully, harmlessly and consistently. We really want to schedule his surgery and hope that we will see (no pun intended) some great improvements from that as well.
We know it's all in God's hands, and we trust those hands. We pray you do too. :)
Attached are a few pictures of Lucas and of the bump beginning to sprout containing Lucas' little brother or sister. Glancing at the pics just now, I think I am surely bigger already. I know we've been slacking on that, but we'll try to get some more up so those who don't see us regularly can enjoy the belly too! :)
Thanks for all your love and prayers for our family! Blessings to you all!
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| January / February 2010 |
