Say a little prayer

So here we sit in the hospital with Luke again.  I am posting today to ask for your thoughts and prayers for little Luke.  He needs them now more than ever...

Over the last month or so, we have noticed quite a change in Luke's overall demeanor, development, attentiveness, etc.  It has been quite troubling to us, but we attributed it to the RSV and figured it was just taking him a little longer to fully recover.  About a week ago Grandma Paula (Pete's Mom) was with him and noticed he was having some spasms.  I thought it was just part of the startle reflex he still had, which had been discussed with our OT on different occasions.  This past Friday morning I saw exactly what she had seen and became concerned right away.  This was definitely different than his normal startle reactions to Jackson banging the drum right near his ear, for example.  I took detailed notes, called the doctor, and watched him like a hawk the remainder of the day.  Thank goodness for the invention of the video monitor, except that I didn't sleep a wink Friday night.  Sure enough, Luke had several of these "episodes" (spasm-like, jerky movements in the arms and legs) throughout the night.  By yesterday afternoon, we were admitted to the hospital for a 24-hour EEG.  Here's where the request for prayers comes in...

The neurologist saw him today and, after studying the EEG results, has diagnosed Luke with infantile spasms, a form of epilepsy.  If not treated swiftly, the seizures can have very damaging effects on Luke's development.  All of the regression we were seeing is a result of the diagnosis, and further regression would continue if no treatment is given.  The plan includes an aggressive 8-week course of treatment using steroids.  He will also have an MRI tomorrow to rule out any structural issues with the brain.  Prayer #1:  MRI comes back normal.  The best case scenario is that the steroids work as quickly as possible.  Almost within a day or two we should start to see the seizures/epileptic episodes disappear, thus prayer #2:  that the treatment works immediately.  Again, the earlier we see the episodes cease, the better the prognosis.  If this happens, there is a good chance that Luke will regain what was lost in his regression and will hopefully not have further issues with seizures.  He will remain in the hospital for at least a few days so that he can be closely monitored with blood work, etc. due to potential side effects of the medication.  If he handles it okay and the cardiologist isn't concerned, then he will be sent home on the injections, at-home health nurse twice a week, and weekly doctor check-ups.  The initial steroid dose is quite high, but will be weaned down by the end of the 8 weeks.  We just have to hope that he responds well to the treatment.

Thank you to all for your continuous thoughts and prayers through all of the hurdles that Luke has already faced.  This appears to be his biggest challenge yet, so we ask for more prayers his way.  Thank you, thank you, thank you.