Sigourney

Sigourney had her 18 month well-child check yesterday. Yes, we are a couple of months behind, but I was delivering a baby on her 18 month birthday!

This picture of her was taken just a few days after she turned one as she was getting ready to check out of Children's Hospital following her first grand mal seizure.

What began as a fun evening roasting marshmallows on the back patio changed so quickly. Her breathing became short and halting and we thought she had smoke inhalation. When she became unresponsive we called the paramedics. They thought maybe she was choking and were going to "run her up" to the ER to clear her airway and get her taken care of.

No sooner had they pulled out of our development when she started seizing in Steve's arms. The EMT's gave her an IV and tried to clear "the blockage" with a metal wire and she didn't even flinch. Steve said he thought he was losing her. When I arrived at the hospital an hour later, I immediately knew what room she was in. Almost the entire ER staff was in her room or standing outside of it; the paramedics were still there, looking grim.

I walked in and saw her lying spread eagle on the table, tubes everywhere, doctors on all sides. I thought she was gone. The doctors couldn't get the seizures to stop. For two and a half hours, they administered medication after medication and nothing worked. She wouldn't breathe on her own. Airlift was summoned to transport her to Children's, but she wasn't even stable enough for transfer. Later we would sign a release form and put her on the helicopter without us.

As we made the trip south to Children's by car, God spoke to my heart: "If I take her, will you love Me still?" Gulp. "Yes, Lord, but oh..."

Once at Children's, she stabilized in ICU and the seizures stopped. Tests were run, neurologists shook their heads, and we were sent home a few days later with medication "in case" it happened again. It did. Three weeks later. Ambulances, hospitals, tests all over again. But still we were given no answers.

God led us to an amazing child neurologist with a year long waiting list. Through a friend's connection, and after hearing Sigourney's story, he made an exception and agreed to see her immediately. She was diagnosed with epilepsy and began anti-seizure medication therapy. She still has occasional break through seizures, but nothing like the traumatic grand mals she experienced last spring.

At her check up yesterday, she was declared "perfect." This is especially significant given the fact that seizures lasting more than 45 minutes often result in brain damage, but Sigourney shows no signs of this. The side effects of her medications can also cause delayed physical growth -- Sigourney is in the 100th percentile for height and weight, the exact opposite! She is also developing on target behaviorally and socially. We are so encouraged!

Sigourney's name means "Victorious Conqueror." God has definitely shown this true in her life. We are excited to see His plan for her unfold. In the meantime, we just love to see her smile!