Annika's brain on herbs

What a difference....

After a talk with Annika's neurologist we are making some changes. Her last EEG showed that she has abnormal brain activity just about all the time. Her sleep patterns are like an infant's. All of this seems to be caused by her documented brain damage. Solution? Well, we need to see about adjusting her sleep patterns and to decrease her anxiety and help her organize her thoughts better. Socially and cognitively she is operates on about a 4 to 6 year old level. She does really well in school (straight As for 4th grade)  but she has a lot of trouble with abstract thought and seeing the world through other people's eyes. She is starting a melatonin and herbal supplement treatment plan. Her neurologist is all on board and excited to see the results. We started this week and WOW!!!! I have a new child. Even my mom who watched her some on Thursday saw a huge difference. I have taken Annika out on her own several times including the grocery store and her processing skills show a lot of improvement. the daytime herbal supplement she takes in the morning seems to have the biggest impact. I so wish we had started this sooner. Of course this is all new and I hope it isn't just a honeymoon stage. We will see how it all works. So far she has not had any nighttime "episodes" that we always thought were seizures this week. She has been having several a week for the past few months. Fingers crossed that we may have found a solution to some of her challenges. In the least I have had a happier more well adjusted child this week who has been able to use more complex thought during the day.

A call from the school nurse....

I got a call from the school nurse. Annika wasn't feeling well. From what the nurse was describing it sounded like she had a seizure after lunch. No one observed any strange behavior so I can't say for sure but the way she was acting was typical for her after seizure activity. Since she had a sore throat last week and still had a slight upset stomach and headache from today's activity I took her home and set her up with a little TLC. I made her some chamomile, ginger, and lemon tea. I also offered her two tincture doses to help her recover. She rested for a little while and after that I had her sit in the sun for a few minutes. That always helps me feel better. I am sure she will be fine by tomorrow.....

10 years ago Annika was born

Happy birthday Annika. I can not believe 10 years ago my second daughter and fourth child was born 12 weeks early by an emergency c-section. She weighed 2 pounds and 7 ounces. She did very well in the hospital and came home before her due date. Today she is a slightly floopy 4th grader who makes straight As and can walk on her hands. (Oh, and she has a seizure disorder...) Annika sees the world through her own eyes and sometimes she is totally misunderstood. She is a 2 year old, 7 year old, and now a 10 year old all wrapped up in one. But is my baby really 10?!?

Making pudding

Annika was my helper today making dinner. She was in charge of dessert. It was just simple instant banana pudding but she still struggles with simple tasks like this. She had to check with me continuously to make sure she was doing it correctly. Her thought processes are just all over the place sometimes. OK, most of the time they are all over the place. It amazes me that she does so well in public school. Granted, the level of assignments and tests are more on a 2nd grade level than a 4th grade level so she isn't challenged very much. I worry about the life skills that she needs to master to be a productive adult. I wonder if she will ever drive a car or hold a job that will support her enough to not have to rely on others. I feel that she should be able to have social relationships but I worry that she never will understand what it takes to be a successful professional. That is OK to a degree. She does not have to be a medical doctor or a lawyer. I just want her to be happy and self-sufficient.....

What I like to do....

I make all kinds of stone, shell, and bone jewelry. It can be really relaxing. I like to design necklaces and bracelets with specific themes. I have a friend on her way out of the country right now to start the international adoption process. I am working on matching bracelets for her and her two new daughters.

I know I am getting a bit older because I am able to work on my jewelry in the mornings but if I try to bead after 3pm my hands just don't cooperate. I blame slight arthritis. Annika is my best helper. I can still design jewelry in the evenings and she will string it for me. With Annika's memory and thought processing problems associated with her seizure disorder she has difficulty with a lot of task oriented activities. Helping me helps her focus on a goal where she can see the results. She has trouble with abstract activities but hands on works great for her.

Check out my Etsy site to see what I have on sale there. The link is on the sidebar. I have so much more available then is listed. Just ask.....

She can hear!

Annika checked out fine with the audiologist at the ENT's office. Her hearing is fine. No we still need to get to the bottom of some of her quirkiness. Some is bound to be seizure related. I am sure we are due for an updated EEG.