November 18, 2006

We have just settled back at home after another stay at Arnold Palmer Hospital in Orlando. The adjusting of Samanthas seizure meds was a disaster. She had every side effect the medicine came with along with 14 seizures in a matter of two hours on tuesday. We were taken to the ER here in Vero by ambulance and after running a CT scan and some labs they felt she needed to see the specialists in Orlando so we were back in an ambulance and sent to Arnold Palmer. While she was there the neuro surgeons tapped her shunt (drained some fluid) to check her flow and make sure she was not clogged again. They felt that her ventricles still looked enlarged. After determining that the flow was good they changed the setting on the valve to allow more fluid to drain which will allow the ventricles to decompress. It took about 24 hours for the side effects of the medicine to wear off and she was feeling like a new kid again. Her smile returned along with her balance and ability to speak in full sentences. What a relief that was. Needless to say we will not be changing her seizure meds again.
Her MRI has been rescheduled for the 28th of November. We are ready to hear some good news and ask that all your prayers continue for that.
As always thank you all for your continued love, support, and prayers.
With love and hope,
Audra, Kurt, Christopher, Samantha, & Jason

November 10, 2006

We took Samantha to Orlando this week as planned to see her neurosurgeon and her neurologist. The surgeon was pleased with the way her incision is healing and does not need to see her until February.
Her neurologist agreed with our request to change her seizure meds which we are in the process of doing now. We are weaning her off one and starting the new one at the same time. It will take about a month for her to be completely off the Keppra and she seems a little over medicated right now but it will take time for her to adjust to the changes. She has been pretty drowsy and seems like she is having some equalibrium problems at times but she pulls through it. She is such a tough little girl.
We have scheduled her next MRI for November 29th and hope to be able to share some good news after that. Please continue to pray for that for Samantha.
Thank you all for your continued support.
With Love & hope,
Audra, Kurt, Christopher, Samantha and Jason

November 5, 2006

Samantha has had a good week and weekend. She had a great time on Halloween. It was heart warming to Kurt and I to see that smile on our daughters face for almost 2 hours straight.
She has been taking walks everyday trying to regain the strength in her legs. It some times takes a little coaxing but she eventually gives in. She still has a tremor in her left arm but seems to be using it more. As far as seizures she has been doing pretty well. We still have occassional breakthrough but nothing like they were a few weeks ago. Some days are better than others. Some how she always comes out smiling.
We are going to Orlando on Tuesday to see her neurosurgeon (just a check up after her surgeries) and we also made an appointment with her neurologist there. We are hoping to change her seizure meds, now that she does not take chemo there are a lot more choices. We have been researching our options and hope the doctor agrees with our thoughts. If we can limit her to one or two meds instead of four we feel she will have a lot more energy and maybe won't be in such a fog. Maybe we will be able to get her back into school for a few hours a week if that is the case. That is our goal anyway.
We will be scheduling her next MRI for the first week of December. Lets hope this is the one that gives us the results we have been praying for.
Your love, support, and prayers keep us strong and we really can't thank you enough for all you have done and continue to do for us.
With love & hope,
Audra, Kurt, Christopher, Samantha, & Jason