Spells of Unknown Etiology

Friday we took Seraphia to ER. She had what appeared to be 4 mini seizures in a short period of time. When we got to ER she had one more very little episode and they decided to admit her to the epileptic ward for observation. 

We started with a complete blood panel and her levels all came back normal. Yes! Early Saturday, in the wee morning hours, they started her with an IV and hooked her up to an EEG machine. I felt so bad for her. They glued 28 electrodes to her little head to record her brain activity 24/7.

On Saturday afternoon she had a lumbar puncture. I was so so sad. I didn't want her to feel the pain. When she came back from the procedure, one doctor noted that she was very calm and didn't cry like the other children always do and it concerned her. I had been praying a rosary during that time and held it up and showed the doctor and said, "This may sound strange to you, but I believe in the power of prayer and A LOT of people are praying for her right now." The doctor responded positively to my words and left it at that.

Her lumbar puncture tests all looked great - no sign of infection - again, thanks be to God and all those prayer warriors.

Early Monday the electrodes were removed since her brain activity looked perfect and additionally, they needed to come off for the MRI scheduled at 7 a.m. This required putting her under with anesthesia because she needed to be perfectly still. We have a history of malignant hyperthermia on my mom's side of the family which requires extra special care when combined with anesthetics. We all really need to wear medic alert bracelets or simply get a test done to see if we have MH. It is nothing to mess with. Basically, one does not wake up after going under if you have it.  Seraphia was not allowed to eat for 6 hours prior to the MRI. Again, I felt so bad for her when it was feeding time. She rooted and fussed but I could not nurse her. It broke my heart. I held her upright, closely on my shoulder and walked and walked and snuggled and spoke softly with her. She was somewhat soothed.

The last photo above was after she woke up from the MRI. She snuggled in, nursed beautifully and was so smiley! They decided to discharge her Monday morning since they could not find anything wrong with her. The neurologist said that sometimes babies do strange things and we have no explanation for them. We hope that is the case and she does not have any more episodes. She was discharged with a diagnosis of "spells of unknown etiology." We are thankful to be home!