Good Times!

We made a trip over the summer to the University of SC Medical Center in Charleston and saw a pediatric epilepsy specialist, Dr. Braxton Wannamaker. He ordered a new EEG and labwork. His conclusions were the same as our neurologist in town, Dr. Timothy Livingston. Both doctors feel Delaney is experiencing Absence Seizures (petit mal) and the condition is not worsening. He agreed with the treatment plan we have been on except he recommended an increase in the dosage of her ethosuximide. We increased the dosage on July 20th, 2010 and have not seen a single seizure since! Isn't that incredible?

As a result of this new-found seizure control, Delaney has been enjoying several things that she has been restricted from for almost 3 years. Her favorite by far is swimming lessons. She's a fish!

August brought a new school year and she started 2nd grade, seizure-free. What a difference this has made for her. She is no longer exhausted from the numerous seizures throughout the day. She can complete her assignments without losing her place, her focus is improved and she is reading like crazy! It really is amazing.

She wants to go to DC again this year and participate in the 2011 National Walk for Epilepsy in March. Indeed little one, let's all go!

June 2010

Just a quick update - as many of you already know, our success at eliminating Delaney's seizures was short-lived. Despite our best efforts with diet & medication, they came back. BUT, the 8 seizure-free weeks she had were awesome and give us continued hope for finding a long-term solution! We have an appointment in Charleston, SC in July for a second opinion at the MUSC Children's Hospital. It is the only pediatric epilepsy treatment center in the state. We've been waiting since January for this appointment so keep your fingers crossed that it will be worth the wait!!

We have great friends & family!

We are very lucky to have such supportive friends and relatives ;^) . Thank you for your donations, your thoughts, your wishes and prayers. We need all we can get!!

Happy St. Patrick's Day

We leave for the capitol in one week! Delaney wants to start packing tonight immediately after the science fair! Speaking of experiments, the modified-Atkins diet really seems to be helping. The nutritionist mentioned during our consult that we could possibly switch to a low glycemic diet which would provide some additional food choices. We will definitely discuss this on our next visit.

Delaney was worried she wouldn't be allowed to participate in the Epilepsy Walk since she hasn't been having seizures lately. Isn't that just too precious??

Thanks for all of your encouragement and support!!

Stacey

NEWS

While we wait patiently for our trip to DC to participate in the National Walk for Epilepsy, we *may* have crossed a finish-line of our own here at home...

We have not seen a seizure in 2 weeks!! This is MONUMENTAL! Her teachers also report two seizure-free weeks at school.

This news coincides with two things: a small increase in her medication and the start of an Atkins-based reduced carb diet. The diet has been challenging but if it is the reason we haven't seen any seizures lately, then it is completely worthwhile.

I'm scared to get too excited by this news - it will be painful for all of us if it turns out to be temporary - but I can't help it, it's fantastic!!

13 days until we leave for DC!

We are all quite excited - it's fun to get out of town every now and then, see a new place and meet some new people. We are planning to do all of that AND MORE on our trip. We will have 3 full days for sight-seeing and we have confirmed tickets to tour the White House! The National Walk for Epilepsy is at 9am on Saturday and I can't wait for Delaney to see, physically see, all of the thousands of other people living with epilepsy. I just know this will give her some perspective on the illness and finally help her to understand she isn't as different as she thinks.

Great News!

Team Delaney 2010 has 42 supporting members on Facebook! Awesome!

Today I found out that we have tickets to tour the White House on the 26th! Hot Diggity! It would be great to see the President or his family but I'd really LOVE to see their dog, Bo!! Fingers crossed!