Maia update

So... we've had a long day, but I can finally fill in a few more details and update you on Maia. This morning, she just was not quite herself, but wanted to go to school so off she went on "Bus 5 (she LOVES her bus). I had sent a note letting the teacher know that we were concerned and to call us if there were any issues. About 10 minutes after school started, Maia threw up. Mark went to get her and I put her in our bed after she got home. She fell asleep about 9:30am. At about 11:25am, Mark went in to check on Maia and she was awake. He went back about five minutes later and saw that she had vomited, so came out to the kitchen to get a basin. By the time Mark got back to the bedroom (1-2 minutes), she had started to have a seizure.

We called 911 and headed off to the emergency room with Maia still seizing. She continued to seize after we arrived at the ED and they gave her a number of medications before the seizure finally stopped (45 minutes total). Head CT showed no sign of problems with Maia's shunt, but her white blood count (which shows how the body is fighting infection) was extremely high. We then got transferred to the ICU. Neurology decided to take a sample of fluid from her shunt and this showed two different types of bacteria growing. Because of this, it was necessary to remove Maia's shunt and place an external shunt. Surgery is done and we are finally back in her room (it's about 11:30pm). She will have the external shunt for approximately one week while she receives IV antibiotics to clear the infection. During this time, Maia will remain in the ICU and be monitored closely. After blood tests show the infection has cleared, the permanent shunt will be replaced.

My biggest concern at this point is that Maia has not been responsive since she began seizing. She did receive some substantial doses of medications to stop the seizure which certainly might contribute. Now, she also has the anesthesia in her system, too. We're praying that by tomorrow morning, Maia begins to wake up. With as long as her seizure lasted, there is concern for injury to her brain.

So, that's where things are at. Thank you to all who have been praying. I know that God is holding her in the palm of His hand. Maia was His child long before she was mine and I trust that He knows what every second of every day of her life looks like. This is not a surprise to God and He is the Great Healer. I'll try to update often.