Brianna's Neuro Update

Brianna had her semi-annual visit to the neurologist. He scheduled her for her annual EEG to be done the following week. I really hate those... only because we have to stay awake most of the night! Do you know how hard it is to keep a child up and awake for the night, especially with no caffeine?! I always dread this test when it comes time... why can't they do the EEG test at night? They are able to do sleep studies on people at night... even Brianna lucks out because she gets to fall asleep during the test, while I sit in the chair and watch the computer screen with the technician, though I have NO IDEA what any of the "blips" and arcs and peaks mean! The technician did show me how they can tell if the patients eyes are opened or closed, or if they are moving around, but when I ask about "abnormal" peaks, she tells me that the doctor or radiologist would have to read that... go figure...

After twenty minutes of sleeping, two minutes of blowing a pinwheel around, sitting through a series of flashing strobe lights, etc., Brianna had her "second wind" once she was all done. I, on the other hand, was ready for a nap!! We ran a few errands after her testing, then I took her out for lunch. She wanted to go back to school, but I made her come home and lay down with me - she was sound asleep and snoring before I was!!


Back to the doctor visit... when I asked more questions about Benign Rolandic Epilepsy (this is what the doctor has diagnosed Brianna as having) the doctor told me that "syndrome" represents about 15% of all epilepsies in children. The seizures begin at an average age of about 6 to 8 years and in almost all cases, the seizures and symptoms disappear by the age of 15. He also went on to say that Brianna's "intelligence" is not affected by the seizures.

Benign rolandic epilepsy (BRE) is named after the rolandic area of the brain, which controls movement in the affected part of the face. That name refers to certain patterns ("spikes") seen on the EEG which help to identify the syndrome. Other tests, such as the neurologic examination and MRI, are normal. A typical attack involves twitching, numbness, or tingling of the child's face or tongue (a partial seizure), which often interferes with speech and may cause drooling. These seizures last no more than 2 minutes and the child remains fully conscious. Sometimes children (like Brianna) also may have "tonic-clonic" seizures, usually during sleep. The seizures are usually infrequent, but they may occur in widely spaced clusters. The doctor keeps reassuring me that these seizures do not hurt Brianna and she should grow out of them... here's to keeping our fingers crossed...

Musketeers Hockey

Brianna and I attended a Musketeer Hockey event with our Girl Scout troop on Saturday, January 16th. This was an all day event, consisting of ice skating, getting a tour of the Tyson Events Center, and door prizes! We also got to stay and have supper (hot dog and pop) and watch the Musketeers play against the Indiana Ice... and meet some of players after the game for pictures and autographs!!! Both of us had an awesome time! Check out some pics!

Brianna skating on the ice at the Tyson Event Center:

Taking a pic of myself on the JumboTron! (I'm in the red sweatshirt in the middle!):

Brianna and Matt Skoff... the Musketeers Goalie!!!

Brianna on the far right with her friends and some of the Musketeers players!:

Remembering CJ's Dad...

November 28, 1924 - January 4, 2009

"A precious one from us has gone, a voice we love is stilled... A place is vacant in our home, which can never be filled... And after a lonely heartache, and many a silent tear... Always a beautiful memory of one we loved so dear." -- Author Unknown

Cordie Brown was born November 28, 1924 to the late Daisy Bell Haskin Brown and Edward Brown. He was the third child born to this union. Cordie was raised in a Christian home and accepted Christ at an early age.

Cordie was united in marriage to Mary Lou Brown on October 6, 1946. To this union, eleven children were born. One grandchild, Katrina Brown, was added to this union and raised as their own. Cordie was a great farmer and he loved being a gardener. He farmed up until his health started to fail. He was a member of Union Baptist Church of Wilmot, Arkansas, where he served on the Deacon Board.

He leaves behind many to cherish his memory... nine girls; Juanita Brown of Texarkana, TX; Evelyn (Will) Clark of Kansas City, KS; Helen (Clarence) Burns of Parkdale, AR; Jeanetta (Jack) Vines of Bastrup, LA; RosieLee Brown, MaryAnn Brown, Moretta Brown, Brenda Brown, and Belinda Brown, all of Wilmot, AR. Two sons; Charles (Sarah) Brown of Crossett, AR, and Cordie (Angie) Brown Jr. of Sioux City, IA. One brother, Theoplish (Lena) Brown of Monroe, LA, twenty-nine grandchildren, thirty-one great-grandchildren and a host of nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends. He is preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Mary Lou, and a brother, Willie Brown.