Abby Gierke

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Abby’s new journey began Thursday, June 11 around 2:30pm. What began as another typical day, has led to a string of events that has led us to the ICU at Children’s in Minneapolis. Abby started having seizures and with a couple ER trips, we thought we had narrowed it down to a fluke of dehydration and hormonal changes. She started a seizure medication and it didn’t go well so we immediately stopped it. We then decided to wait it out until her scheduled MRI and EEG that was to take place on Monday, June 29.

On Friday, June 26 through Saturday, June 27, Abby experienced three seizures within 12 hours. At that point it was time to go back to the ER. She had a potential seizure while I was driving her to the ER. They admitted her to the PICU as of Saturday, June 27 and that’s where we are at today. She’s had an EEG monitoring her brain for 24 hours and she had another seizure with that monitor on. She had an MRI and spinal tap Saturday night. She has not had seizures since treatment began.

We really don’t have any definitive answer as to why this is happening yet. They are currently looking at viral meningitis, viral encephalitis or a growth on her ovaries. The course of treatment is going to be lengthy. From what we understand, she’ll be at Children’s at least for this week as they try to determine course of action.

All we know is that she is very sick and we are hurting for her. Please send her some positive thoughts, prayers, vibes, whatever you feel comfortable doing to help her get through this. She needs all the support she can get right now.

Also, please extend some hugs to little Lydia. She can’t come here to see her big sister. Jim and I are both able to be with Abby.