Today at the University of Chicago, the Dr. conducted 40 minutes more testing. Then the pyschiatrist threw me loop and told me Stacy is clinically depressed. She told me that Stacy needs more time with her kids and also needs to see a Cognitive Behaviour Therapy Psychiatrist and may have a chemical imbalance in her brain.
For the actual reason we were there, it was not really conclusive. Normally when a person has right brain seizures the left brain is more active but they found the opposite.
The next appointment is with her neurologist on Feb. 7th. We do not know if this pneurosych-test will have any affect on possible future surgery.
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Bye Mom. I love you. You were my rock during Stacy's hospitalization.
My Mom - Click picture for an amazing blog
Bye Mom. I love you. You were my rock during Stacy's hospitalization.
Jeff Bowman - Ryan's previous brother-in-law
Stacy Ritenour's History
Stacy was admitted to our local hospital 12/2003 with headaches. While during a CT scan, she became unresponsive. The CT showed a brain tumor. That evening the neurosurgeon drilled a hole in her head to reduce extreme fluid pressure (hydrocephalus, once called water on the brain). Then she woke up and was doing very well. The neurosurgeon said that a cyst was blocking her 3rd ventricle which drains Cerebrospinal fluid from the brain into the spine.
The next day the neurosurgeon removed the cyst and we thought that she would be home in a week. Unfortunately that less than 1% chance of complications got us and she got bacterial spinal meningitis from the surgery. This can cause anything from no problems to death. Stacy ended up with a limited short-term memory, seizures, tremors, and because of her seizure medication, extreme tiredness.
She spent 7 months in a Rehab facility in southern Illinois, but when returning home, would just stay in bed unless told otherwise. My income does not allow us to hire anyone to help her but is too high to receive government help.
With full-blown seizures continuing for the last 4 years, I decided to look for something better for her and found Dr. Ebersole at the University of Chicago. He is highly trained in epilepsy and has worked at the National Institute of Health and the Yale Epilepsy clinic before starting the Epilepsy clinic at the University of Chicago. Her neurosurgeon also has worked for the NIH and has specialties in surgery for epilepsy and Parkinsons disease.
Stacy and I have 4 children from 9-17 and Anthony, our 17 year old had brain cancer at 8 years old. His tumor (one of the worst cancers) was removed at the local hospital and then we followed up with Chemo and radiation at the University of Michigan. After almost dying from pneumonia, they stopped the chemo and decided to see what happens from then. He is now 8.5 years in remission and will be considered cured in 1 more year. He is currently in good health although because of the radiation and chemo, has stopped growing at 5 foot tall. However we are just glad he is alive as survival rates from his cancer is only 30% at best.
The next day the neurosurgeon removed the cyst and we thought that she would be home in a week. Unfortunately that less than 1% chance of complications got us and she got bacterial spinal meningitis from the surgery. This can cause anything from no problems to death. Stacy ended up with a limited short-term memory, seizures, tremors, and because of her seizure medication, extreme tiredness.
She spent 7 months in a Rehab facility in southern Illinois, but when returning home, would just stay in bed unless told otherwise. My income does not allow us to hire anyone to help her but is too high to receive government help.
With full-blown seizures continuing for the last 4 years, I decided to look for something better for her and found Dr. Ebersole at the University of Chicago. He is highly trained in epilepsy and has worked at the National Institute of Health and the Yale Epilepsy clinic before starting the Epilepsy clinic at the University of Chicago. Her neurosurgeon also has worked for the NIH and has specialties in surgery for epilepsy and Parkinsons disease.
Stacy and I have 4 children from 9-17 and Anthony, our 17 year old had brain cancer at 8 years old. His tumor (one of the worst cancers) was removed at the local hospital and then we followed up with Chemo and radiation at the University of Michigan. After almost dying from pneumonia, they stopped the chemo and decided to see what happens from then. He is now 8.5 years in remission and will be considered cured in 1 more year. He is currently in good health although because of the radiation and chemo, has stopped growing at 5 foot tall. However we are just glad he is alive as survival rates from his cancer is only 30% at best.
5 comments:
Seems like the more you do, the less you know.
You keep getting new questions, but never get answers.
How frustrating.
RR
Wow, I haven't been on here for awhile and it's good to see all the information. Is there a treatment for the chemical imbalance? Any cognitive help for Stacy would be awesome, I think. As far as clinical depression, it makes sense. How to balance her needing time with the kids with her having proper supervision is a tough one. You have to do what is right for the whole family. You have to be able to go to work and not be worried about her safety.
I see you have called in prayer warriors from your church, Britt forwarded me the note. We're storming the gates of heaven with prayers for healing.
Way to go Britt on the spaghetti!!
Hang in there, brother. I'm so proud of you.
Hey, Stacy. We love you and we are watching the blog faithfully to see how you are and I talk to Ryan quite often. We may not always see the good news we want but just want you to know we all care. You and Ryan stay close and love the Lord.
We love you. Mom and Rex
We're waiting on the Chicago Psychiatrist to help us find this special CBT person, hopefully close by. I've not heard anything yet. Also this person would either be a psychiatrist or be under one and would give her medication for the chemical imbalance.
I know you are taking off for Chicago this Thursday and altho I have already written on this last blog, I just want to reinforce in your minds that we are still in back of you (and in front of you and on each side of you) as you go forward. The Greatest physician is still in control altho it may not seem like it at time.
"Great is our God - and greatly to be praised!" So we will continue in prayer and trusting. Love, Mom & Rex
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