Epilepsy Surgery Screening, Day 3

Glendale, California, 3:45 pm -- I haven't been to the hospital yet today, but I've spoken twice to Cheryl, who is in very good spirits. The migraine medicine did its thing last night; being headache-free makes a huge difference in Cheryl's ability to cope with her confinement.

Interestingly, she had another seizure last night after I left. According to the doctor today, that one counts as "set 2" of three, since the first four were all in a cluster. One more seizure and they will have everything they need. She might be able to come home a little early!

One detail I forgot to mention is the activity that takes place when she is having a seizure. The watch nurse gives her a word to remember, although the one time I saw it happen the word was given too late. The attending nurse then peppers her with questions relating to spatial and time awareness and physical coordination. Cheryl doesn't respond for the first 30 seconds or so, but locks in on the nurse thereafter. Her speech gradually becomes more clear as the next minute passes. She didn't remember doing it, though, until I reminded her of it later.

I'll be headed to UCLA this afternoon to spend a normal Saturday evening: dinner and a movie (on the laptop). Thank you to everyone who has sent kind words to Cheryl or visited her, to our friends who have or will be providing our family with dinners, and especially to her parents, who have steadfastly taken on the task of watching the kids and feeding us without a second thought. I would not be able to be with Cheryl and be involved in this process directly without their help. Even in the midst of this trial, we know that we are blessed beyond measure.

UCLA Medical Center, 7th Floor, 9:00 pm -- This evening brought a lot of variety. I smuggled in Taco Bell for Cheryl and I, which proved to be a welcome substitute for the hospital's hamburger and fries. We watched part of a movie on the laptop, and then Cheryl's sister and brother-in-law arrived for a visit. All in all, it was a pretty relaxing day; the only complications being a lack of seizures and constant tingling in Cheryl's hands.