Molly Update: Neurologist Appointment

Just got home from Molly's appointment with her neurologist.  She hasn't seen him since June of '07, which was soon after her symptoms from Chiari I Malformation first showed up.  So since then Molly has had one surgery with the elimination of all symptoms and another surgery which at this point hasn't helped.  The doctor has thrown 4 things at us...

1. To help with her "jolting" issue, which he thinks may be like mini-seizures, she is getting medication.  We'll see if it helps.

2. Molly is now taking a vitamin to help with thinking/memory issues by expanding blood vessels in her brain.  I may swipe some of that for myself. :) I can't remember the name at the moment.

3. To help with sleep Molly got a sample pack of Ambien CR. We'll see how much that helps.

4. The doctor recommended a 15-20% wedge to elevate her head and upper body at night, since lying flat seems to create some of the sleep issues.

It's apparent that we are dealing with symptom alleviation rather than fixes.  We are guessing this is what life will be like for Molly now.  We are still looking into second opinions and possible re-exploratory surgery, but nothing major will be happening until at least after the holidays.

Comments

[stephen shields]

"t's apparent that we are dealing with symptom alleviation rather than fixes."

I will never forget in 1993 after Beth and I were in a car accident where she sustained significant back injuries that no one could fix, a surgeon who we went to because he had operated on Washington Redskins told Beth that she probably needed to just find a good pain management small group. Beth was devastated. Months later, a Johns Hopkins physiatrist and a PT properly diagnosed Beth and *fixed* her. This after 13 months of pain and doctor after doctor after doctor aching for a diagnosis. We learned not to take the "final word" as the final word. fwiw.

God is king.

[Marcus Goodyear]

We're still praying for Molly at the Foundation.

[Steve McCoy]

Thanks for the prayers Marcus. Thank all at the Foundation for us, will you?

Thanks for your optimism Stephen.

[Kevin in Manila]

Thanks for the update--please keep us posted and we'll keep praying.