MILES FOR SMILES

Diagnosis: Seizures

Age at Diagnosis: 6 years old

Current Age: 12 years old

 

Andrew's story, as told by his mother, Emma:

 

We were flying to Scotland to visit family and show off Andrew’s baby sister, Kate, when I first saw signs of, what I now know was seizure behavior. Coming into land at Glasgow airport, I started stirring Andrew from sleep. He opened his eyes and his right hand went stiff into the air, he then closed his eyes again and went back to sleep. As I stroked his back, he woke for landing and I thought nothing more of the reaction. We enjoyed our three week holiday in Scotland with no further signs of seizure-like behaviour.

 

On the morning of August 26, 2011, I was ready for work when Andrew came into the living room saying he had a “bad dream”. He sat on the sittee, arm stiff and eyes wide and focused but promptly fell back to sleep. In hindsight I should've thought something was wrong then. However, he woke up minutes later and was as bright as ever. On the way to his summer camp with his Dad, Andrew had a full seizure in his car seat. At that point, Dad immediately drove him to Virginia Beach Sentara. I met them there shortly after.

 

We were checked in at which time Andrew was lethargic but no signs of seizure. We were made to wait in the waiting room for over 30 mins at which point I said let’s drive to CHKD. We hopped in the car and I sat in the back with Andrew. As we were racing down I-264 towards Norfolk, Andrew had a seizure with a stiff arm, eyes rolled back and blue lips. I talked to him calmly and asked him to take a breathe ... which he finally did as the seizure released.

 

Upon arrival at CHKD Emergency Room with Andrew in my arms, we were immediately taken back to triage. There was no waiting with the emergent situation. Whilst tired, Andrew seemed OK. We waited while nurses and Doctors visited us with questions. With no fever and no prior history, we were kept for observation and the neurologist Dr. White ordered a precautionary brain scan.

 

Andrew was taken for the test and as Dr. White described afterwards, Andrew had a “text book” seizure while hooked up to the machines. We were immediately admitted to CHKD.

Andrew was given anti-seizure medication and we were kept overnight for observation. We were told there that seizures are common in young boys but once on the medication, Andrew did not have another “bad dream” as he called it.

 

With Hurricane Irene fast approaching, we were discharged the next morning with a filled prescription and a follow up appointment with Dr. White. Andrew appeared hyper-active on the medication and just not himself. When we visited Dr. White in his office he lowered the medication but explained that he would take it for two years. So we visited Dr. White for 2 years and Andrew did not have any more seizures after that frightful day.

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As I think back to August 2011 and reflect on Andrew’s treatment at CHKD, I am so thankful that we made the decision to drive there. Since that day with any other minor emergencies we have driven straight to CHKD. You don’t realize what you have available on your front door step until you need it. The nurses and Doctors were patient, kind and were fantastic with Andrew (and provided us with the emotional support and simple medical explanations that we needed). Our experience was second to none and we are grateful for a now 12 year old healthy son and no “bad dreams”. Thank you CHKD!