It's not easy being Brock.....

Here I am a week later from my last post and nothing but drama has taken place since then. The week was filled with waiting for the x-rays to be read and compared by the Orthopedic surgeon, and also dealing with Brock becoming ill.
There are numerous issues going on, so when Brock acts sick I don't always know the culprit. Tuesday evening he was sick to his stomach, spitting up, and very sleepy. By Wednesday, his symptoms only intensified. The boy was asleep virtually all day! When he did wake, he couldn't keep down his feedings. I knew something was going on, but what was it? Could it be the hip pain and the Ibuprofen irritating his tummy? Or, could it be the increased dose of Topamax that he possibly wasn't adjusting to yet? Or, could it be high ammonia level from his Valproic Acid? Perhaps just a bug?
WORRY< WORRY< WORRY.....
Thursday, I couldn't take watching Brock act so sickly. I decided to take him to get some bloodwork done. Thank goodness he has standing orders and I just chose to get a few labs done. He had a CBC, CMP, and an Ammonia level test.
The results revealed an elevated Ammonia level! That actually went hand in hand with his symptoms of being so sleepy and sick to his stomach.
So, then what????
Per Neurology, I took Brock to see his pediatrician just to rule out any acute illness. He received a clean bill of health, so as not to "waste" a trip, I convinced Avery and Cora to get their Kindergarten shots! 5 shots each!!!!! I am completely impressed by my girls as they didn't cry or even shed a tear! It had to have been the promise of the Happy Meal following their bravery that did the trick. :)
Meanwhile, Brock will back down a little at a time from his Valproic Acid over the next few days. We hope to pin point the true cause of his recent behavior. I had nightmares all last night that Brock was having uncontrolled seizures--but, I checked on him throughout the night and he was fine. I must be feeling the effects of the upcoming full moon this weekend. Valproic Acid has been so helpful at keeping Brock's life threatening seizures away, but the side effects still bother me and I would like to get him off if Topamax can step up and take over.
The next topic of concern is Brock's hips. According to the surgeon, Brock's hips were already "slightly dislocated" back in May. I know I would have remembered the word "dislocation!" I was only told they didn't look good and would have to be surgically repaired in a year or two. Regardless, this new x-ray revealed the right hip has dislocated more and Dr. would like to do a procedure to repair both of Brock's hips.
UGH! Brock has "new" feet and he won't get to use them because he has bad hips now! These current short casts come off June 30th. According to the Ortho nurse, Dr. will not even think of doing any other surgery until the casts have been off for at LEAST a month. When I asked why, she explained there was too much chance of infection if you don't wait a month..... Staph maybe??? Who knows. That being said, I looked at some possible dates for hip surgery. I haven't set anything in stone, but we will eventually have to relieve Brock from his pain and I can't keep the boy on pain meds forever. August 3rd was open and Brock is tentatively scheduled for hip surgery that day. :(
Let's hope Brock can get straightened out with his medications, all while keeping seizures away.
Until next time......................