Well, after the good news last week we are sorry to report that Marc was hospitalized last night. He started having focal seizures sometime Tuesday while I was at work. He had the presence of mind to call me at work and although I couldn't understand what he was telling me, as the seizures affect his speech, I knew immediately what was happening. I called the neighbors to go stay with him until I could get home and called Steve, who fortunately was only a few miles from home. It took me about 40 minutes to get home and try as I might, I couldn't even speed getting there. There was a slow vehicle ahead of me the whole way home! Anyway, when I got home, Steve had Marc sitting on the patio. Marc was having what seemed a continuous focal seizure. He was able to communicate by writing. Long story short, he said he knew of 8 seizures he had had before I got home. I immediately called his neurologist. We initially opted to treat him at home by giving him an oral, loading dose of dilantin and only hospitalize him if his symptoms worsened. At about 8 o'clock, Marc wrote "Emergency" on his notepad, indicating that he felt he needed to go to the ER. Steve and I immediately took Marc to the ER and he was eventually admitted.
The initial CT done in the ER showed a suspicious area located where the GMB was removed. The CT was repeated today, which showed no enlargement in the area. The radiologist was initially concerned that there might be a bleed in the area but the repeat CT ruled that out. Our neurologist said that he feels the suspicious area is the same one we were looking at on the MRI. The problem seems to be that we had weaned Marc from the steroids just the week before. The steroids work to keep the swelling down in the brain but also cause multiple other adverse side effects. We now realize that each time that Marc has been weaned from the steroids, the seizures raise their ugly head. The solution is to find a dose of steroids high enough to keep the brain swelling down while at the same time low enough to keep the other adverse side effects at a minimum.
We are now in a stabilizing mode. The neurologist is adding another antiseizure medicine to Marc's medication regimen and started him back on steroids. The neurologist is working in conjunction with our neuro-oncologist at MD Anderson. Marc will remain hospitalized until he is stable, probably just a few days.
Please continue to keep Marc in your daily prayers.
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4 comments:
Well, Marc we know you are very strong and determined, I also know you will not let this get you down for long.....the pictures are great of you and the kids for Easter, we wish Annie a belated birthday and you all a belated Easter....the time gets away...cousin "Thelma" ,Pris, left, I think, last Friday for Az....we had a good visit....this weekend she is going to Ca. to visit Travis and his fiancee...her Doug is in NY....working...anyway, we love you all and give everyone a big hug and kisses...Love your sis and Byron
No correction, time is getting away from me, Pris left Monday of this week....we keep you in our prayers....Love you a bunch your sis Jill
Sorry to hear that you had a setback but just remember your a tough ole cookie. Got home about noon on Tuesday and leaving today at 3 for LA to see Travis. Going to the Grand Prix in Long Beach where Travis lives. Keep strong and we all love you lots. Cousin Thelma alias Silly alias Priscilla
Thinking of you guys today and everyday.....Byron and I are thinking about driving down next month...we have a weeks vacation...so we thought we would like to visit with you guys and Lance and Donna.....we will let you know .....we keep you in our prayers...and hope to see you soon.....hugs and kisses to all....Love your Sis and Byron
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