At Noelle’s 3 year check-up in May, our pediatrician noticed Noelle had some left-sided weakness and referred her to a neurologist to make sure everything was okay with her heart.  Throughout the summer, Noelle has had limping spells with no injury or pain and a few other symptoms.  The neurologist we were seeing ordered a brain MRI (she had to be put to sleep for) as well as an EEG (pictured below) and lots of blood work.  Lots.

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All of the results were a mixed bag of emotions.  We were told Noelle had had a stroke in utero and could be at risk for recurring strokes.  Noelle’s blood results were abnormal, but mildly so, and really inconclusive.  Are you confused?  We were too, and as a result, haven’t shared with many people, because we really didn’t know what to say.

I consulted with a friend from church who got us into the stroke clinic at Cook Children’s Hospital.  That appointment was today.  They have a neurologist/hematologist that work together to figure out what’s going on in children who have stroke-like symptoms.  After reviewing all of Noelle’s tests, they concluded that she does not have an increased likelihood of stroke.  That’s what we needed to hear!

Noelle has been such a trooper this summer.  She’s done amazing in physical therapy and gets her blood drawn like a champ.  There are bits and pieces of the story I have left out, just as a way of protecting Noelle and her sweet spirit. 

Due to some abnormal blood work, our hematologist has ordered another round of blood work that has to be done in two sessions because of the large amounts of blood needed.  Hopefully that blood work will all come back normal, and then we will totally be able to put this behind us as Noelle continues to grow healthy and strong.  Worst case, she has some issues with clotting, and we will have to deal with that. 

I guess I’m writing this so that everyone can know a little about what we’ve been going through this summer.  We are tired.  We are weak.  Our faith has been tested in the periods of not knowing, and we have grown.  We give thanks to God for this life we are given and that we are in it together.

*In other news, our house is almost completed!!!  We are scheduled to move next weekend!  Hopefully I will be able to take pictures of the house this weekend.  It’s beautiful!!!