Jack's EEG/MRI

The big day is over. Hallelujah. For me, this was the worst part of the whole ordeal. Come what may with the outcome of the tests, we will deal with whatever may or may not come, but the thought of the my little boy being in pain was stressful. Overall, it was a miraculous day. Jack was amazing. What a huge testament of the power of prayer and priesthood blessings.

In preparation for the day, Jack and I made puppets - to hopefully distract and uplift him. This picture just made me laugh, feeding the puppet a cracker.

The first hurdle of the day: waking Jack up several hours early, trying to keep him awake in the 3 hour car drive to the hospital in Portland, and not feeding him - only clear liquids. Thankfully Jello counts as a clear liquid. We don't have it very often, so it was a real treat.

First miracle of the day: Jack stayed awake in the car and sis slept! Not only was he awake, he was happy and easily entertained himself! He didn't even ask for a cracker or anything to eat. It was amazing.

Next hurdle: the EEG. This test included 10 minutes of putting the soap on his head, then the 26 little electroid ends with tape all over. Once the contraption was on, he had to put a blinking light in front of his face, not turning his head, and it was hecka bright. This lasted for several minutes. Then he had to blow a little windmill thing for 3 minutes. Keep in mind he is not even two, and he had to sit still with these things on his head for 20 minutes. Once done, the tape needed to be pulled off. Ouch!

Next miracle: Jack was again absolutely amazing. No crying or fussing. He was totally cooperative and SAT STILL. Even the tech was surprised.

(After the little electroids were all on, they wrapped his head in gauze to keep them in place. I didn't get a picture of it. He looked like a mummy though.)

Next hurdle: the MRI. This is what Joel and I were dreading the most. He needed to be sedated via an IV for this one. After the first seizure, Jack needed to have his blood drawn, and that was an ordeal. Lots of crying - it even had Joel in tears.

The miracle: After waiting 1 1/2 hrs for us to be taken in, Jack was still happy (and tired and hungry). He was a champ putting on weird pajamas (pictured below). It turns out that they gas him up before they put the IV in. So he wouldn't even know what happened and would not feel a thing. They came to take him from us for the anesthesia, and he went willingly, no problems. For Jack, that is a miracle. He is slow to warm up to new people and situations, but he had no problems with this. After taking him away the first time, they brought him back - someone had already taken the room they were taking him to. So after a few minutes, they had to come take him again. We thought this would set him off - a stranger taking him not once, but twice! Lo, and behold, it worked. No worries at all.

When it was all done, about an hour, they called us back before he woke up. We were right there when he woke. He was a little confused, but drank a bunch of apple juice and was fine. The nurse said that most kids have a problem putting the mask on, but he was totally cooperative. We still had to wait to feed him, but he could sleep if he wanted to on the way home (which he didn't). Jack was great all the way home too - and didn't throw up like we were cautioned he night.

The worst part of the day? When we got home, Jack ran down the driveway to go feed the pigs, like we do every day. He tripped and fell on the rocks, cutting his lip.

Thank you so much for all the thoughts and prayers coming in our direction. It was miraculously painless. What an answer to prayers.

We have an appointment with a pediatric neurologist the end of November for the results. Will keep you posted.