The All Clear

We sent the following email after Whitt’s EEG last week…

We're hoping for this to be the last update for Whittman :)
Whitt had his second EEG this morning. In many respects this was the test we had been waiting for since the day after Whitt's birth. The all clear test...the one that would let us move forward with confidence, not looking over our shoulders.
I felt a lot of the stress and anxiety that was so present months ago and had slowly dissipated over the last few months, start to return a bit last night. Wade had to travel today so we were anxious apart and I found myself wishing I didn't have to go it alone. It takes a long time to attach all those little nodes to his head, maybe 45 minutes. It's a tedious process. The last time we did this, Whitt was on phenobarbital and essentially knocked out. This time he was awake, alert and patient for the first 15 minutes before he started getting upset. It tore at my heart all over again to hold him, manipulate his head this way and that, bend his rigid little body so the nurse could get them all on. It was awful! I eventually got him calmed down and he slept through the test.
The results were the best we could have hoped for. The abnormalities and connectivity issues that presented themselves last time had healed to the point the neurologist was comfortable starting the process of weening him off the Keppra (anti-seizure meds). He said the scan looked normal :)
The only remaining concern at this point are a few 'delays' on the right side of his body. When the neurologist performs a few reflex tests, the left side of the body responds the first time, as expected. The right side takes 3-4 tries before responding. It's a concern because there's a delay but not a large one, because he does eventually get there. It is seemingly evidence that there was damage at some point, but the brain is healing and is re-learning those responses. With the progress that has occurred over the last 12 weeks, the Dr is very encouraged and confident that it will continue to the point that the delays won't be an issue. We will see the neurologist in another 12 weeks. If the delays haven't improved, we'll look into occupational therapy at that time. The Dr said today that if all goes well, the next visit will be our last. As much as I adore this physician, it will be a goodbye I'll be ok making.
What a relief. It was a good, happy day for a strong, determined baby boy. An answer to lots of prayers. Thank you for your ongoing concern, thoughts & prayers. We will not soon forget and will be grateful until our dying day.

We all celebrated in the back yard that afternoon.