RyKeR UpDaTe

Above is a picture of Kris, Ryker and me at Children's Memorial Hospital. Kris and I were encouraged by our pediatrician Dr. Cocjin to bring Ryker there to see Dr. Coker (amazing doctor) a pedicatric neurologist. I had noticed that over the last month Ryker had been doing this odd head drop, that appeared to me to be unintentional. I mentioned it to Dr.Cocjin at Ryker's 6 month appointment and she asked me to watch it and call if it continued. A week later I was on the phone with her concerned because he was still doing it. So she sent us to Children's to see Dr. Coker for a neurology evaluation. It was kind of crazy, she called Dr. Coker's office and said he needed to be seen right away and before I knew it his office was calling me telling me that they wanted to see him on Wednesday. They asked that we do our best to capture these head drop's on camera so they would have a better idea of what they were evaluating. Kris and I got lucky and was able to capture Ryker doing his head drop while I was feeding him peaches for the first time (he didn't like them and was making a very face so Kris was trying to capture it on video). Kris had me pretty convinced that I was just being a neurotic mother, so it was to our surprise that after Dr. Coker taking just one look at the video he told us Ryker was having what appeared to him to be atonic seizures. While he was evaluating Ryker, Ryker did one of his head drops which at the time confirmed his diagnosis and he sent us over for an EEG right away. He informed us that he was almost positive that this initial EEG would come back negative and we would need to do a 48 hour EEG to confirm his diagnosis. Dr. Coker was amazing with Kris and I, and we both felt like we were in good hands. After the first EEG was done Dr. Coker went over the results right away with us and as he thought the initial EEG was negative (yay for us!), so from there we went and got hooked up for the 48 hour EEG. The 48 hour EEG not only monitored his brain activity but we were also sent home with a video monitor that had to be on Ryker at all times. This was quite interesting but we all pulled together to make it work the best that we could for Ryker. The EEG came off Friday evening and we were told that if we got it back to them Friday night Dr. Coker would pick it up and call us with the results Saturday morning. To our surprise Dr. Coker was very prompt (like I said an amazing doctor!), and he called us by 9am. After reviewing the EEG (which was again negative) and video monitor he diagnosed Ryker with benign myoclonus seizures. These are an non-epileptic seizure and are due to an immature nervous system. They have no impact on the brain (so they will cause no developmental delays)so not pretty to look at but are harmless. Dr. Coker informed us that 95% of the time children out grow them usually within a year from start to finish. Dr. Coker also informed us that once he outgrows them they are gone forever! This was the best news EVER!!!! After 48 hours of up and down emotions finally something we wanted to hear. Kris and I were blessed with the good news and we are so grateful to know that our little man is going to be ok! Ryker will be following up with Dr. Coker monthly until the seizures stop, just to closely monitor him for any changes. Ryker showing everyone how BIG he is! Ryker was in such a good mood during his trip to meet Dr. Coker. He spent most of the day being the center of attention (as usual)! He was such a good sport and Kris and I were SO proud of him.

Getting some wrestling time in with his favorite wrestling buddy while waiting to be seen by Dr. Coker.

I am so lucky to have these 2 amazing boys in my life!

I cannot say enough good things about this doctor. Kris and I were very fortunate for such a great referral. He was amazing with us and Ryker.

Ryker getting hooked up for his first EEG at the hospital.

Almost done with the first EEG. Ryker did such and amazing job and even got a little nap in while they collected the data.

Just getting cleaned up after the first EEG.

This is one of the first pictures we got of Ryker during his 48 hour EEG.

Day 1 was much harder than day 2. However, he did a fantastic job considering the situation.

Just a picture of me and my peanut!

And.....A huge thank you to grandma Urban who dropped everything to help me and Kris out with everything. I think we were both just getting by on adrenaline and she helped keep us grounded. I pray that this will be the hardest thing that he will ever have to encounter. Thanks to everyone for there prayers and support!