The "S" word but still no Answers.

The word we did not want to EVER hear, we heard today: stroke.

It appears that Alexander had a stroke on Friday night that caused his seizure. We still do not know why he had a stroke but more tests are going to happen. His right hand is not back to normal and the 48 hour EEG monitoring showed that the left side of Alexander's brain is reacting slower than his right. (Quick biology lesson for some: the brain is like a mirror image. The right side of his brain functions the left side of his body and the left side of his brain functions the right side of his body). Alexander's neurologist believes that over time with therapy, Alexander's motor movement in his right hand will be get better since it is only his hand that has been effected by the stroke.

Alexander's pacemaker was interrogated today as well. The results showed that he has 4-6 weeks left of battery life. His EP wants to try and hold off that long since Alexander's body has already been through enough. However, cardiology thinks differently-they believe that maybe it's best to have the pacemaker changed while he is already inpatient. The other factor everyone has to consider first is why the stroke happened? Because putting Alexander into surgery could trigger another stroke if they haven't figured out why.

He did get the chance to walk the halls today and so many of the doctors, nurses, and respiratory therapist that know Alexander, were in the halls cheering for him! He walked down the halls with a smile on his face, waving to everyone! Made me so happy to see him do that! His oxygen saturation levels also continue to be fantastic! The best they've ever been: 85-95! I took a picture because I couldn't believe it! :)

So we all ask these questions: Why did this happen? When will we be going home? What are the next steps? Well, we just don't know. As we end Day 6 in the hospital, I continue to try and  stay as strong as I can, keep my toddler happy, engaged, and thriving at the best that he can while couped up in CTICU.  We are hoping for more answers the next day and a plan for when those questions get answered.

Thanks for the prayers and positive thoughts. Please keep them coming! <3