One of Chris' doctors came in today on her day off because she had been pondering something all night and had a theory to test. She then hooked up a special transformer to a few of the electrodes and sent a slight electrical charge into Chris' brain through one of the depth electrodes and it immediately induced a seizure. Bingo! She was VERY happy - hooting & hollering, even - (she had expected no outcome) and believes the focal point of seizures can now be located. They have decided that further monitoring will not be necessary, and Chris is scheduled for surgery at 7:00am Tuesday to remove the depth electrodes.
The doctors have told us that this is perhaps the most difficult case they have encountered, and were working very hard to find the focal point against all odds. Most patients in this Phase 2 of brain mapping stay here two weeks or more; with one patient staying 48 days! It is truly remarkable to have the data needed and for a patient to be able to go home in a week.
As I left work today and drove to the hospital after hearing the news, I was filled with joy at God's gracious answer to our prayers. So many of my friends have shared their hearts with me as they have prayed specifically for the doctors to be able to find the focal point. The way the doctor located the focal point was so unconventional, it makes it all even more spectacular.
The next step is for the doctors to thoroughly review all the data collected for the brain mapping and a committee of 6 doctors will meet to discuss Chris' case and decide on the exact seizure origin. They will also determine whether it is in a part of the brain that can be surgically removed. We will then be able to schedule that surgery, which will require a 3 to 6 month recovery.
Progress!
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