Answered Prayers!

So I didn't realize until a few emails came in that I hadn't updated everyone since we've been home from the hospital.  Shows what my crazy brain has been like lately!

The only way to describe our hospital stay was one big old answered prayer after another!!

From the minute we arrived, until the moment our car door shut to leave, we felt absolutely at peace and incredibly thankful for the way God was taking care of our little Gabe.

From the hospital service (WOW, Cook's is amazing!) to the neurologist we were working with, to the time we got to spend with Gabe alone (there hasn't been much of that, actually, in a family with three sisters!), we were just counting our many blessings. 

And, that was all before the seizure study began!

When we arrived, Gabe was quickly fitted with his stylish head covering and dozens of wires hooked to electrodes.  

We were warned that he would not like it, because of the freezing cold air and the stinky glue.  

As she began the procedure, you can see that Gabe was very curious.  And, he really wanted the technician to be his friend and smile at him.  So, she kept stopping to smile back.  This made him really, really happy.

But, then, the air got cold.  And, the tears did fall.

He would lock eyes with me, as if to say "Why are you doing this to me?"  Broke my momma heart.  And made me laugh at the same time.  :)  He is just so cute when he's sad!

He made it through, and the infamous Gabey smiles returned within minutes of us being back in our room.

And, the smiles continued for hours.  And hours.  And hours.  

In other words, the boy was too happy to sleep.  :)

At 11:45 pm, after he pulled out his first IV of the visit (there would eventually be two more!), and after he laughed and played and flirted with every nurse, he decided bedtime was an okay thing.  (Boy, am I glad he's a really good sleeper otherwise.  That felt really really late.)

As he went to bed, we were told to most likely expect the first seizure sometime in the next two hours, based on how long it took to get his old medicine out of his body.  He was being monitored through the EEG he was hooked up to, as well as a sound and movement video that followed his every move in our room.   (I'm glad that doesn't happen at home, by the way.)

So, I woke up quite a bit to check on him in the night.  The next morning, I just knew I had missed the night seizures.  But, I hadn't!!  The nurse came in around 8:30 to let us know there didn't seem to be any seizure activity through the night!!

Then, we spent an entire DAY with no seizures either!!

Still wondering if they would begin later in the day, the doctor decided to wait on selecting new medication, and also on educating us further about epilepsy and seizure first aid, until he was able to see what kind of seizures Gabe would have.

But, then, another night passed (with MUCH better sleep!) and no seizures!

And, another day passed...and no seizures!!

The final day, the neurologist came to tell us that Gabe would leave the hospital with NO seizure medication, except a med to use in emergencies.  This is HUGE God-sized miracle news!!  This means no side effects for his little body, and the opportunity for Gabe to be more alert and catch up even quicker on developmental delays.  Thank you, Lord!!

Before we left, Gabe was sedated for an MRI.  We were then walked through what they found, step by step.  

Gabe's cyst (left parietal cyst, for those who want details) has not changed.  It is still present, and the same size as before.  The neurologist told us alot about his brain and we really felt very educated, and very encouraged as he shared.  The future plans for Mr. Gabers is to start pretty intense therapy to help with developmental delay and motor skill difficulties.  And, we are happy to do so!  He has been officially diagnosed with cerebral palsy, which we are not afraid of, nor is he limited by.  We know God is continuing to move mountains for this little guy, and we'll stop at nothing to make sure he gets what he needs!

(And, another answered prayer about that.  We have a set of therapists coming to the house each week through ECI, PLUS a wonderful opportunity for additional therapists from Our Children's House of Baylor to see him each week as well.  And, they are located DOWN THE STREET!  We had no idea!  And, this is really huge news for us!)

Already, since we've been home from the hospital, Gabe is so much more alert, and ready and willing to try more physically.  We've also been laughing because he's much more opinionated too!  Apparently, the medicine was making him feel quite dopey!  We're so thankful, though, to see his spirit come through!  And, every time I look at him, I think what a miracle he really is.  Now he is a seizure-free miracle too!

Thank you ALL for praying those miracles would happen!  And for walking beside us with the encouragement we need.  Appreciate you!!