Wednesday, August 26, 2009

A Disappointing Visit with the Neurologist

Clara had her three month visit with Dr.Berenson, her neurologist, today. Each time we go, it is usually the same. He checks her over, discusses our next step, and we schedule our next three month appointment. Each visit we are reassured because she has not taken any steps backwards and seems to improve every time. I expected no different today. She was as happy as she always is to see him....I think she has a crush on him. :-) But when he started checking her over, his face totally changed. He said her reflexes were very abnormal....too big and too fast. (He used a big word for that, but I can't remember it). When I asked him what that meant, he said we were dealing with some sort of spinal dysfunction now. He asked if we had taken her for an MRI recently (which we have...6 months ago), and got really serious for a few minutes. All he could say was that we just need to wait on the results of her biopsy before we speculate on anything. I asked him if he thought this meant her disease is progressive, and he said, "not necessarily". He said that a year ago, he was not convinced we were dealing with a muscle disease, and now he is convinced because she is weak. He still thinks it will be a mild case, but beyond that, he can't say much more until we know for sure. He does feel confident we will get a diagnosis, so now we are just left waiting.

We are so thankful for the doctors God has given us. She is truly in some of the best hands in the country. We are so thankful for the bright and determined personality God has given her. You can't help but smile when she's around. Please pray with us, thanking God first for His many blessings (...giving thanks in all things..), and asking that
-she would not have any more pain
-we would get a diagnosis soon.
-that whatever disease she has would not be progressive and that treatment would be available.

Thank you for your concern and your prayers!

Much Love,
Jeannie

4 comments:

  1. Jeannie,
    Thank you for the update....and like you, it wasn't what I was expecting either. It just makes me believe even more that God has y'all still in GA b/c of Clara....He is in control and knows better than we do. We will be praying for sweet Clara.

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  2. I was thinking along the same lines as Leigh Ann. God still has you in GA for a reason; this might be it or part of it anyway.

    Clara has a sweet, strong spirit in her that is of God. She is under His care and he won't let her go despite what the diagnosis may be.

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  3. Jeannie,
    I hate to mimmick LA and Alisa, but I have always thought the same thing, that you are still here for Clara and to be close to these doctors. She is ultimately in God's hands and you know that! You know he is in complete control of her life, her muscles and this disease, whatever it may be. We love you guys and will continue to pray for you and for Clara especially. God has given her a fighting spirit, but one that is gentle and kind. Give it all to Him, those hurts and fears. Let Him take them on and carry them. While He carries them, you continue to do what he has asked, that you love her and grow her in His ways.
    Love you!

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  4. Jeannie,
    We will continue to pray for your family. We love all of you especially sweet Clara! We know God never gives us more than we can bear but sometimes it seems too much. May God continue to give you grace and patience and blanket all of you with His sufficient love! :)

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