Mary Bedrich Mary's recovery

In mid-June, Mary was briefly in the hospital with short-lived symptoms of what we thought was either a TIA or stroke. She bounced back quickly, and she and Jim resumed their usual daily activities. Mary experienced similar/additional symptoms sporadically over the summer, and finally in late September was diagnosed as having had a seizure. She started an anti-seizure medication, but the following week, we had to have her taken to the ER by ambulance due to very rapidly worsening condition. She has been in the hospital for almost two weeks now, and has undergone a slew of diagnostic procedures...MRIs, CTs, more blood work than I thought possible, a lumbar puncture, 12 days of continuous, 24 hour electroencephalogram (EEG) monitoring to track the seizure activity. She also was tube-fed since she ceased eating and drinking.

She has been diagnosed with complex partial seizures, and is now on three anti-seizure medications. Her neurologist and epileptologist working together are encouraged by her progress, and she now seems to be coming through the fog of these completely debilitating seizures. It is a long and slow process, and is up and down on a daily basis. She is struggling to make sense of the situation from one day to the next, but we have all seen a huge improvement in the last two days. As of today, the feeding tube has been removed, as well as the EEG leads! 

The underlying cause of the seizures is still unknown, but doctors are getting closer to an explanation through the process of elimination. Some complex lab work is still pending results. We're all anxious to know why this has happened. Her doctors are aiming to discharge her by early next week, to a skilled nursing facility for what we hope is only a short stay (three months) for rehabilitation.

Thank you so much to everyone for your continued prayers and thoughts. As you all know, our mom is a very special person who cares for everyone so much, and it is hard to see her go through such a difficult struggle. Please also keep our dad in your prayers, as this is not easy for him at all.

We will do our best to keep this site updated as her condition improves, so that everyone is informed. Feel free to post comments, or send her a card, and we will be sure that she reads/receives them.

Love from Mary's family