Goebel Family: January 2009

Another 2 weeks have past and we've been super busy! Skylen has kept us on our toes and with Cayden's help we have been able to keep a watchful eye on her. Since the last blog Skylen has had more seizures which means her medication is not working. Skylen will see a 3rd Pediatric Neurologist in LA in the next week. We have also found a great Epilepsy organization, The Epilepsy Alliance of Orange County, who has provided us with much needed resources. We attend two seminars on Friday in Irvine and Skylen was able to experience some Music Therapy designed especially for children with Epilepsy. On Saturday Skylen went to her Pediatrician with a cough that she had for a few days and was diagnosed with Asthma. She is on a Nebulizer treatment 4 times a day on an as needed basis, her cough has gotten better with the treatment. Cayden is doing well in school and enjoys taking care of the farm animals when he is there. In the last few weeks he has been very much into his fish tank and wrestling with daddy. Here are a few pictures from the last few weeks:

Indoor Children's playground with Jaimie, Mike and Natilie

At the Duck Pond with Holly, Hannah and Savannah

Brent, Holly, Chris and I went to the Comedy Club at Pechanga and watched Pretty Funny Women

Nana and Pops took us and Uncle Travis to see Disney's Mickey Mouse Clubhouse

Skylen and Brent... When Brent is around Skylen is right there next to him!

Thats right we're in our bathing suits in January! We love California!!!!

We rang in the New Year in Big Bear with our friends the Szychulda and Toner Family. Shortly after arriving on New Year's Eve Skylen had a seizure, the next day she had a second one. Chris and I took her to Bear Valley ER where she underwent numerous tests, everything came back normal. She was then transported with mommy by ambulance down the mountain to a Kaiser Hospital where she had more tests. Skylen was prescribed Phenobarbital to prevent any more seizures and was discharged Friday night. On Tuesday, Jan 6th we met with a Pediatric Neurologist who was 70% sure she had Epilepsy and therefore diagnosed her. Although her medication has controlled her seizures she has also experienced negative side effects, including moodiness, aggressive behavior and sleep problems. Cayden has been extremely patient, caring and loving to his sister. We went for a 2nd opinion to another Pediatric Neurologist, Dr. Yu, on Monday, Jan 12t

h who specializes in pediatric epilepsy. Dr. Yu was 100% positive she has Epilepsy because of the type of seizures she had and her family history (on both sides). Dr. Yu was great and explained her diagnoses and care plan thoroughly. Her medication is slowly being switched to Carbamazepine this week and hopefully she will not have any negative side effects. Although Skylen’s seizures are not causing any internal problems she will continue medication to prevent future seizures from occurring and the injuries that a seizure could cause. In 3 weeks she will have blood work done to ensure the medication is at the correct level and every 2 months she will see Dr. Yu. If within one year she has been seizure free she will be taken off medication and monitored.

Epilepsy is a neurological condition that is characterized by seizures, a temporary loss of consciousness or muscular control. Approximately 45,000 children under the age of 15 develop epilepsy every year. Fortunately, Skylen’s epilepsy can be controlled with medication and allows her to have a normal childhood. To learn more about Epilepsy visit http://www.epilepsy.com/ .

We appreciate everyone’s love and support and we thought this BLOG would be the best way to keep everyone informed of our family’s journey.

Pictures from our New Years in Big Bear