Ahhhhhhhhhhh.....

The MRI was a piece of cake!  It took about 30 minutes and AC rocked it!  This is a pic of AC with her neurosurgeon, Dr. Boydston.  I love him!

Dr. William Boydston and AC.  He's the best!

AC received a glowing report from Dr. B.  He said her brain looked perfect just like he expected.  Her CSF is flowing normally and she is showing no complications or problems that would be Chiari related.  He believes her headaches are stress induced migraines and that we should follow up with her neurologist and let him manage her care.  She does not need to see Dr. B. for 2 years!

Random:   Wrestlers from the WWE were at CHOA the day of AC's scan.  I'm borrowing this one so we can try to figure out who the wrestlers were that were there.  AC was very excited to point out the ones that she recognized!

We finally have things settled with  AC's school.  She will be going back to her elementary school (not the virtual public school...) next year for 5th grade.    She is now covered under an IEP and they are doing everything they can to get her caught up.

It wasn't until after our visit with Dr. B. that I realized that AC has not complained of a headache since March 19th.  Either her stress level is less or the daily migraine medicine she takes is working.  I am looking forward to seeing how she changes in the next few weeks now that the medical issues have all been addressed and her fear of being held back in school has been eliminated. 

We have a re-check with the neurologist on April 28th.  Hopefully he'll see a different kid than he did last time!

Until then, we'll be at the ball field!

A diagnosis I didn't see coming.

After extensive testing with the school psychologist and conferring with a private neuro-psychologist, AC has been diagnosed with a learning disability.  I am still in the shocked and acceptance phase so I'll have to talk about this in more detail later.  My mind is still swimming!

On another note, tomorrow is MRI day.  We will finally have answers about AC's headaches!!!  If the MRI is clear then AC's headaches the past couple of months have been stressed induced. This is our prayer!

AC is a little stress bug and lots of pressure has been put on her at school.  She is petrified of being held back and cannot seem to get that thought out of her head.

If the MRI shows any complications there will be talk of surgery again.  I'm not going there...

Wish me luck.  I'll be taking AC to the MRI all by myself.  Last time she had one I had to pry her out of the car and carry her in.  She is a little heavier and a lot taller this time...I don't think I have it in me to do that again!

Maybe the excitement of getting to see Dr. B. will get her through the MRI....

I have a blog? Long overdue update....

I don't have it in me to make this pretty so I'll hit the high points.  We'll have more answers on the 31st....

• AC's severe headaches returned in January.  She has been taken off Tylenol and put on a prescription for migraines.  It's not helping....but at least she has learned how to swollow a pill.
• Her neck and shoulders are swollen and tender and seem to be pooling CSF (cerebral spinal fluid) like  before the decompression surgery.
• She will be having a head and neck MRI on March 31st at Scottish Rite.
• Special Education testing has been performed at her school and we are meeting with an Independent Neuro-psychologist  for further testing next week.  
• She is having trouble finding her happy.....and that makes me sad.

We have been blessed with 4 different doctors who are all determined to find out what is going on in that big ole brain of hers.

We are praying for an easy fix!

Batter up!

Tonight was a huge night for AC.  She played in her very first softball game...and she rocked it!

So happy to see her having fun again!

Uh oh....not again....

AC has been down with a headache for 4 days.   I am praying that this is allergy related.  Her first bad headache was on Wednesday...the day we had a pollen count of 5733!  She has had a constant severe headache since Wednesday morning and nothing seems to be relieving her pain. 

We made the trip to the pediatrician on Friday.  He ruled out strep and any other infection.  He prescribed AC a nose spray and we are hoping that this helps clear her up and ease her pain.   We are waiting to hear from Dr. B.'s office to see if they want to check her out.

I don't think this is anything TOO serious, but it sure is affecting her! I just want her to have some relief!

5 Months Post Op....

We are coming up on the 5 month anniversary of AC's surgery.  I am happy to report that she has recovered 100% from her surgery.  While she will never be "healed", the Chiari will always be there, she is no longer symptomatic and has no current side effects.  Whoo Hoo!

AC is a little obsessed with her scar.    She has taken to wearing pigtails quite often...I think in part to show off her scar.  AC wants everyone to see it!  If you haven't seen it, please ask her!

AC isn't playing soccer this year.  We are using the extra time to study and trying to get her caught up.  Her school was great about working with her but she did miss a total of 9 1/2 weeks of the first semester so there are definite chunks of instruction that she missed.  The CRCT is coming up in April....we are working hard to make sure she is ready!

We go back to see Dr. Boydston for a re-check in July.  I must remember to get a picture of he and AC together!!!

Gotta go back, back, back to school again....

AC just skipped out the door to leave to go to school.  She seemed very excited and ready to tackle a new school week.  She's missed 8 1/2 weeks so far...we are working to get her caught up so that when she goes back after Christmas she'll be on track with the rest of her class.  

Thanks to Jen, Jamie, and Maggie for taking AC to school this morning!