MedWorm provides a medical RSS filtering service. Over 6000 RSS medical sources are combined and output via different filters. This feed contains the latest medical blog items that have been tagged with 'encephalitis'. Sat, 03 Sep 2011 02:25:26 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5139740&cid=t_207424_87_f&fid=39261&url=http%3A%2F%2Fvactruth.com%2F2011%2F08%2F19%2Ffamilies-sue-their-lawyers-for-negligence-over-their-mmr-cases%2F The tables have turned on lawyers. The Times reported that three families are taking legal action against their former lawyers, claiming that the Measles Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccination withdrawn in 1992, caused their children to develop encephalitis and not autism. They are saying that they are suing because they believe that their former lawyers were negligent when they lumped their cases in with more than 1000 other discredited autism and bowel disease claims. The three cases were dropped as part of the class action in 2003 along with all the other cases.   Hannah Devlin Science Correspondent for The Times wrote: Ann Coote, from Bolton, believes that the learning difficulties and epilepsy suffered by her daughter Rachael, 23, are a result of the encephalitis, a swelling of t... vactruth.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5139740 Fri, 19 Aug 2011 06:22:48 +0100 5139740 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5020733&cid=t_207424_10_f&fid=35345&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.GIDEONonline.com%2F2011%2F07%2F10%2Ftick-borne-encephalitis-in-austria-2%2F Prior to the institution of mass vaccination in 1981, Austria reported the highest rates of Tick-borne encephalitis in Western Europe. Currently, highest rates are reported in Germany and the Czech Republic. [1,2] see graph - References: 1. Berger SA. Infectious Diseases of Austria, 2011. 399 pp, 108 graphs, 1187 references. Gideon e-books, http://www.gideononline.com/ebooks/country/infectious-diseases-of-austria/ 2. Berger SA. Tick-borne Encephalitis: Global Status, 2011. 54 pp, 44 graphs, 314 references. Gideon e-books, http://www.gideononline.com/ebooks/disease/tick-borne-encephalitis-global-status/ Update: Reported on ProMED (Source: GIDEON blog) GIDEON blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5020733 Mon, 11 Jul 2011 03:50:42 +0100 5020733 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4842854&cid=t_207424_10_f&fid=35345&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.GIDEONonline.com%2F2011%2F05%2F19%2Fjapanese-encephalitis-germany-ex-indonesia%2F The following background data on Japanese encephalitis in Indonesia are abstracted from the Gideon e-book series. [1,2] (Primary references available on request) Indonesia was the source for eight of 47 travel-associated cases reported during 1973 to 2011. Travelers from Germany were involved in four episodes during this period. [3.] Reports of infection following exposure periods of only 10 to 14 days are disturbing, since pre-travel vaccination is often not employed for short-term trips. Time and Place: Japanese encephalitis was first reported in Indonesia in 1960, and the virus was first recovered from mosquitoes in this country in 1974. – 116,114,000 persons (52% of the population) live in areas of risk. – The area of risk consists of Bali, Irian Barat, Java, Kalimantan... GIDEON blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4842854 Fri, 20 May 2011 05:46:50 +0100 4842854 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4459538&cid=t_207424_139_f&fid=38879&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FVirologyBlog%2F%7E3%2F7Z73EvV5S_c%2F A type of human encephalitis – an infection of the brain – has been known to affect the indigenous people living in the Sakha Republic of Russia since the mid-1800s. The available clinical and epidemiological evidence suggests that the disease is caused by a pathogen, but proving this has been difficult. The disease is called Vilyuisk encephalitis (VE) due to its prevalence in the Vilyui River Valley. After an outbreak of VE in the 1950s, when 1% of the local population was affected, clinical aspects of the disease were carefully documented by the Russian health ministry. VE is a progressive neurological disorder with acute, subacute, and chronic presentations. Acute disease begins with fever, chills, headache, vomiting and rapid progression to confusion, quadraparesis and deat... virology blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4459538 Thu, 10 Feb 2011 15:47:53 +0100 4459538 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4459962&cid=t_207424_87_f&fid=39261&url=http%3A%2F%2Fvactruth.com%2F2011%2F02%2F10%2Fjared-lee-loughner-psychotic-or-vaccine-induced-madman%2F Dismissing Jared Loughner’s bloody murders in Arizona as the work of a madman is easy; people like him clearly seem deranged. Yet, shouldn’t we demand better answers? American culture is experiencing a phenomenon of medicated young adults committing violent public acts. (http://www.cchrint.org/2011/01/12/…) As more information becomes available, the mainstream media is avoiding obvious leads to investigate, namely vaccine-induced brain injury. In 1990, medical researcher Harris Coulter authored a powerful literary work titled, Vaccination, Social Violence, and Criminality: The Medical Assault on the American Brain. The book describes a rising epidemic of vaccine-induced encephalitis, or swelling of the brain, in United States children and young adults. It has been known s... vactruth.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4459962 Thu, 10 Feb 2011 11:47:57 +0100 4459962 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4175925&cid=t_207424_136_f&fid=39016&url=http%3A%2F%2Fturquoisegates.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F11%2Fcoming-undone-mayo-day-6.html Step 1. Remove dressing & netting around head.Step 2. Soothe child with favorite thing (in this case: bottle).Step 3. Remove tape, gauze, and electrodes from head using acetone (sting!).Step 4. Understand why child has been screaming & itching head for last 48 hours.Step 5. Finally: the awaited-for-a-whole-week bath.Step 6. Try another bottle.Step 6. How about some Benadryl for that itching?Step 7. Go HOME! (Source: Turquoise Gates) Turquoise Gates blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4175925 Wed, 17 Nov 2010 14:38:00 +0100 4175925 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4168155&cid=t_207424_136_f&fid=39016&url=http%3A%2F%2Fturquoisegates.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F11%2Ffelt-prayers-mayo-day-5.html Suffice it to say she hasn't itched since the prayer comments started pouring in. Well, that's not entirely true: she has stated, a few times, in a very calm voice, "Mama, I am itchy. Can I have some medicine please?" TADA! Prayer at work, people!! Thank you to each and every one who dropped everything to pray for something as small as the comfort of one little kid today. She's more subdued than usual, pale and under the weather as her cough worsens every day. But she has not been screaming in pain! These pictures are from our evening play session a few minutes ago.Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or imagine, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. (Ephesia... Turquoise Gates blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4168155 Tue, 16 Nov 2010 03:26:00 +0100 4168155 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4168156&cid=t_207424_136_f&fid=39016&url=http%3A%2F%2Fturquoisegates.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F11%2Fwhen-you-are-helpless.html The results from this hospital stay are so depressing on so many levels. Last night Amelia started reacting horribly to the glue used to attach the electrodes all over her scalp (about 30 of them). She screamed, thrashed, and begged me to remove them, all while shaking her hands in the air because she was obeying and not scratching at them. When I finally got her to sleep at 4 a.m., I vowed not to let them touch those electrodes again...just take whatever information they can get, without the usual morning process of gluing loose electrodes and filling them all with conducting gel again. At 11:30 a.m., I praised God because they hadn't come to do so yet, although they are usually here by 9 a.m....I assumed this meant the electrodes had by some mercy survived the night intact. So I allowed ... Turquoise Gates blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4168156 Mon, 15 Nov 2010 18:41:00 +0100 4168156 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4164671&cid=t_207424_136_f&fid=39016&url=http%3A%2F%2Fturquoisegates.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F11%2Fall-together-mayo-day-4.html Minnesota is in the dreary early winter stage. The snowflakes falling have been beautiful! Oddly enough, just 80 miles north, in the Twin Cities, they received a true blizzard, not just flurries - over 10" in some areas, I think?The lines on Amy's little head are so lyrical with this little headdress.Painting nails was a favorite activity for both Amy and Rosy!  Never before have I spent the time to do multiple coats of color, PLUS the glittery top coat! I am afraid I have falsely elevated their expectations and it will come back to haunt me some busy evening when I am bathing them...Movie time!Doing her evening "stretches" in bed this evening.I think she's got a hockey goalie somewhere inside!Playing computer games - Olivia's painting game was a hit!(click on "Fun with Oliv... Turquoise Gates blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4164671 Mon, 15 Nov 2010 03:07:00 +0100 4164671 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4163032&cid=t_207424_136_f&fid=39016&url=http%3A%2F%2Fturquoisegates.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F11%2Fgetting-bit-stir-crazy-mayo-day-2.html Amy started getting a bit stir-crazy today on day 2 of being confined to bed. By this I mean she started doing things like hopping up and down all around her room, doing jumping jacks, and trying to jump on her hospital bed. Trust me, hospital beds do not "jump" well! She also triggered the seizure episode alert system at least a dozen times. Which is a bit irritating for everyone - especially the staff - as it brings about 5 nurses running full tilt down the hallway to save her life in the event of a bad seizure!It wasn't until after midnight last night that I finally got her to sleep, after much cuddling, reading of books, singing of songs, drinking of milk, and attempting to bounce on the bed. Tonight, we read the incomparable "Olivia" by Ian Falconer...and giggled that "Olivia" could b... Turquoise Gates blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4163032 Sat, 13 Nov 2010 09:00:00 +0100 4163032 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4159437&cid=t_207424_136_f&fid=39016&url=http%3A%2F%2Fturquoisegates.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F11%2Fevening-in-hospital-mayo-day-1.html  Joy of a visit from siblings in the hospital.Playing with the vintage window panes in the old hospital wing.Yeah for new toys!$50 at the hospital gift shop = 20 minutes of peaceful play.A single closet in the hospital room (free) = 1 hour of playing "bus" with glee!If this eldest sweet girl doesn't become a nurse like mom & dad...I'll be shocked.She spent the whole visit watching over Amy's various wires and cords.Making sure they don't get caught in the door of the closet......or stepped on by the crazy off-boarding bus passengers.Can you really be sick if you're having this much fun?And finally...they have the BEST therapy dog here. Ever. A Newfoundland.Only problem: owner has to carry around a towel to wipe up the spit! (Source: Turquoise Gates) Turquoise Gates blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4159437 Fri, 12 Nov 2010 11:01:00 +0100 4159437 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4159438&cid=t_207424_136_f&fid=39016&url=http%3A%2F%2Fturquoisegates.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F11%2Famy-joins-teletubbies-mayo-epilepsy.html If you are new here, you may not have heard about my daughter Amelia, who survived a life-threatening brain infection at age 3. After her infection, she suffered a second assault on her tiny body...an auto-immune reaction to the infection stripped her brain of it's protective fatty myelin coating that insulates all the nerves. After completely losing the ability to walk or sit unassisted, feed herself, swallow and chew, and suffering severe speech, hearing, and vision losses, she made a dramatic recovery that can only be credited to God (with help from a hefty dose of steroids for 6 months straight). To read more about Amelia's original illness, click the tab at the top of the page above my blog name.Amelia was hospitalized today to investigate her one remaining issue: a severe seizure dis... Turquoise Gates blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4159438 Fri, 12 Nov 2010 00:30:00 +0100 4159438 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4055922&cid=t_207424_136_f&fid=39016&url=http%3A%2F%2Fturquoisegates.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F10%2Falways-goodor-never-good.html We know from all his writings that Paul trusted not only that God is sovereign, but also that his character is faithful and good (1 Thessalonians 5:24). It's critical for Christians to believe this, too. Why? Because without these additional attributes, we could view an absolutely sovereign God as a potential big bully. If I can't trust that God is always good and faithful, then God goes on trial with each particular circumstance of my life. I become the doubter who's like the waves of the sea, always being tossed about (James 1:6).Of course, it's easy to say I'm confident that God's faithful when I've escaped a negative situation, but is he still faithful when the friend I've lifted up in prayer for more than 30 years has never returned to faith in Jesus? Or when I was diagnosed with brea... Turquoise Gates blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4055922 Mon, 11 Oct 2010 15:00:00 +0100 4055922 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3960055&cid=t_207424_136_f&fid=39016&url=http%3A%2F%2Fturquoisegates.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F09%2Fplumping-up.html I never thought I'd have to encourage my kids to eat.  I certainly have no problem loving food myself...although I do have vague memories of battles over sauerkraut, mustard, rye bread and polish sausage when I was a small child.  Anything that awakened the palate was too spicy for me.  But since becoming a mother myself, I've become more aware of feeding issues.  And I assume my kids are probably easy to feed compared to many...breastfed until 5-6 months and started directly on hand-ground table food, they never had flavor or texture aversions suffered by many children today.We started getting the evil eye from our pediatrician back when Rosy wouldn't gain weight or grow taller.  She wore 3-6 month clothes until 18 months, and 6-9 month clothes until after age 2. ... Turquoise Gates blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3960055 Sat, 11 Sep 2010 12:25:00 +0100 3960055 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3722649&cid=t_207424_10_f&fid=35345&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.GIDEONonline.com%2F2010%2F07%2F03%2Ftick-borne-encephalitis-in-croatia%2F Although recent reports of Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) in Croatia belie the fact that this disease has been steadily declining for five decades, the impact of TBE in Croatia is comparable to that of the main form of arthropod-borne encephalitis in the United States. See graph TBE was first reported in Croatia in 1953, and mandatory reporting was instituted in 1987. There is only one natural focus in the northern part of the country, between the Sava and Drava Rivers. Alleged cases in Zadar and Pula, have not been certified. 75% of cases occur from May to July. Approximately 20 cases per year are reported in Koprivnica-Krizevci County, characterized by a relatively mild illness without neurological residua. References: 1. Berger SA. Infectious Diseases of Croatia, 2010. 356 pp. Gideon ... GIDEON blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3722649 Sun, 04 Jul 2010 03:37:09 +0100 3722649 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3679180&cid=t_207424_10_f&fid=35345&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.GIDEONonline.com%2F2010%2F06%2F20%2Ftick-borne-encephalitis-in-sweden%2F Recent reports highlight the fact that Sweden has the highest rate of Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) in Scandinavia, exceding even those of Russia in 2008. [1,2] The following background data on TBE in Sweden are abstracted from Gideon. Primary references are available on request. Time and Place: Disease rates peak during July to August. - Natural foci are found throughout the southern and middle parts of Sweden up to the counties of Varmland and Dalarna and further north along the Baltic sea. - Cases are identified on the Stockholm archipelago, the middle and eastern parts of lake Malaren close to Stockholm, the coastal area of the Baltic sea from Stockholm further south to the city of Kalmar and the islands of Oland and Gotland. - Highest incidence is found on the East Coast, (particular... GIDEON blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3679180 Mon, 21 Jun 2010 03:50:25 +0100 3679180 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3667855&cid=t_207424_10_f&fid=35345&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.GIDEONonline.com%2F2010%2F06%2F17%2Fjapanese-encephalitis-in-vietnam%2F Recent reports of Japanese encephalitis (JE) activity belie the fact that disease rates in Vietnam have decreased in recent years. [1,2] Time and Place: - Japanese encephalitis was first reported in Vietnam in 1960. - Most cases of Japanese encephalitis in Vietnam occur in the South during the rainy and early dry season; and in the north during late summer and autumn. - 61,729,000 persons (73% of the population) live in areas of risk. Vaccine Schedule: BCG – birth DTwP – 2, 3, 4 months HepB – birth; 2, 4 months; [since 2003] Japanese encephalitis – 12, 13, 25 months; Part of country [selected HRD] Measles (monovalent) – 9 months OPV – 2, 3, 4 months TT – pregnant women; CBAW (15-35) in some areas Typhoid – 3-10 years; Part of country [select... GIDEON blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3667855 Fri, 18 Jun 2010 03:45:25 +0100 3667855 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3469269&cid=t_207424_10_f&fid=35345&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.GIDEONonline.com%2F2010%2F04%2F14%2Fkunjin-virus%2F Kunjin virus (KUN) is similar Murray Valley encephalitis (MVE) virus; however, infection by KUN is generally milder than that with MVE, with a lower rate of encephalitis. KUN appears to have been responsible for some of the ‘Murray Valley encephalitis’ cases reported in 1974, and was implicated in an additional sporadic case in northern Victoria in 1984. KUN-is more widely distributed than MVE, and is found in most of tropical Australia, eastern Queensland, and occasionally southeastern Australia. Notes for individual years: 1996 – Two cases in Queensland. 1997 – Two cases in Western Australia and two in Northern Territory. A presumptive case of KUN was reported in Pilbara, WA 2000 – Three in Western Australia and one in Northern Territory. 2001 – New S... GIDEON blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3469269 Thu, 15 Apr 2010 03:47:12 +0100 3469269 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3374347&cid=t_207424_136_f&fid=39016&url=http%3A%2F%2Fturquoisegates.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F03%2Fmri-today.html At the ECHO homeschool demonstration night in February, telling our group about our unit study stemming from the Little House on the Prairie series. Amelia's disconjugate gaze is very apparent in this photo.Amelia has an MRI today at around 2 p.m. Please keep her in your prayers as this will be the second day with heavy duty anesthetic used for sedating her for procedures and tests. Please pray that she won't vomit while she is unconscious, and that she will wake up quickly and easily from the anesthesia. The MRI should take about 1 1/2 hours. I will try to post an update this evening. Thank you, friends & family! (Source: Turquoise Gates) Turquoise Gates blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3374347 Wed, 17 Mar 2010 17:03:00 +0100 3374347 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3374348&cid=t_207424_136_f&fid=39016&url=http%3A%2F%2Fturquoisegates.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F03%2Fupdate-from-mayo-day-1.html Waiting it out in the Luther observation unit last Wednesday with Melanie York.Just a quick 10 p.m. note from one tired Mama to let everyone know that Amy is doing well and she is still an outpatient! There were a few harried moments when she did not handle anesthesia as expected. Because there are some question marks related to her blood work from last Thursday that need further interpretation from a geneticist, the anesthesiologist was forced to use a different type of anesthesia for Amelia's spinal tap today. (We don't have any further details about the blood tests, or I would share) The anesthesia type she has had in the past for sedated procedures, Propofol, has caused no reaction or prolonged waking time. However, the gas form that was used today put her much too deeply to sleep. The... Turquoise Gates blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3374348 Wed, 17 Mar 2010 03:11:00 +0100 3374348 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3366399&cid=t_207424_136_f&fid=39016&url=http%3A%2F%2Fturquoisegates.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F03%2Fschedule-next-week.html Amelia in her new hospital bed on Saturday.I don't have time to write more, so...please pray for us at Mayo this week!The conditions Amelia is being evaluated for over the next week or so are listed below:Bacterial infection of the central nervous system with Propionibacterium acnesGenetic mitochondrial disorders, such as Leigh syndrome or MELASPseudotumor cerebriPanayiotopoulos syndromePediatric multiple sclerosisMultiphasic or recurrent acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (MADEM)Her schedule at Mayo Clinic includes the following tests:Spinal tap, or lumbar puncture, which is similar to receiving an epidural during laborMRI (magnetic resonance image) and MRV (magnetic resonance venogram) of the head; the MRV hasn't been done ever before, and will examine the veins helping drain her brain... Turquoise Gates blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3366399 Sun, 14 Mar 2010 21:15:00 +0100 3366399 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3362550&cid=t_207424_136_f&fid=39016&url=http%3A%2F%2Fturquoisegates.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F03%2Fhome-is-heaven.html We are home for the weekend. The neurologist at Mayo, Dr. Suresh Kotagal, seems as concerned as we are...although more certain that Amelia won't become critically ill in the next few days. The schedule at Mayo is such that her first test was not able to be scheduled until Tuesday. However, we do have a plan of action if she should become more ill between now and Tuesday - involving a "lights and sirens" ride from Luther to Mayo for in-patient care. Knowing that makes me feel confident enough to be home.Today I am busy utilizing the kind help of the York girls as we rearrange furniture in order to fit a hospital bed into the small room the children sleep in. Amy needs to have her head elevated at all times to avoid complications related to the increased pressure surrounding her brain, and a... Turquoise Gates blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3362550 Fri, 12 Mar 2010 20:19:00 +0100 3362550 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3346677&cid=t_207424_136_f&fid=39016&url=http%3A%2F%2Fturquoisegates.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F03%2Ffresh-wounds.html Last week, we had a glorious day outdoors, revisiting Echo Woods, the Climbing Maple Tree, checking sap buckets. We found fresh wounds on many of the maples, burrowed by a giant Pileated Woodpecker. The shavings and sawdust littered the snow up the path through the woods. We explored the holes with our hands, revisited lessons from last summer about identifying trees from their bark, noted the differences in the phloem, that inner bark where the trees life flows.The days this week are notably different. Every day, Amy's fresh wounds become more apparent. She sleeps more with each passing day, and vacillates between manic hyperactivity and groggy irritability when she is awake. She has set up camp on one end of the sofa, with her favorite "pillow pet" from Auntie Megan and Uncle Ben, her ba... Turquoise Gates blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3346677 Tue, 09 Mar 2010 01:31:00 +0100 3346677 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3342858&cid=t_207424_136_f&fid=39016&url=http%3A%2F%2Fturquoisegates.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F03%2Fgoing-forth.html Prayers today as I go fight for treatment for Amelia. Please see my prayer request list from yesterday afternoon here. I am praying for the quickest and easiest solution to be made possible. (Source: Turquoise Gates) Turquoise Gates blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3342858 Mon, 08 Mar 2010 13:02:00 +0100 3342858 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3342859&cid=t_207424_136_f&fid=39016&url=http%3A%2F%2Fturquoisegates.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F03%2Fcliffs-notes-amelias-infection.html He will make plain my duty when the time comes, and until then it is not my concern. We make our lives insupportably complex by disobeying Jesus' command to take no thought for tomorrow. Planning for tomorrow, when planning is necessary and possible, belongs properly to today. Worrying about tomorrow belongs nowhere. The Lord gives us daily, not weekly, bread. He gives strength according to our days, not our years. The work, the suffering, the joy of each day are given according to His careful measure. ~Elisabeth Elliot, A Path Through SufferingIt became apparent to me that an abridged version might help some understand what Amelia is battling currently. As a nurse, I struggled with this all the time: immersed in medical jargon and mumble-jumble on one side of the door, and t... Turquoise Gates blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3342859 Sun, 07 Mar 2010 22:36:00 +0100 3342859 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3331545&cid=t_207424_136_f&fid=39016&url=http%3A%2F%2Fturquoisegates.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F03%2Fhe-goes-before.html An opthamologist from the U of M requested photos of Amelia before and after her illness where her conjugation (tracking) could be seen. I found it interesting that I had a hard time finding any photos of her eyes not tracking in my blog folder, where I keep my favorite photos. I found many more in the snapshot folder. Here are a few I sent him:Amelia in September, prior to encephalitis.Amelia 2 days before hospitalization for encephalitis - already sick.Amelia on day 8 of hospital stay #1.Amelia after discharge from hospital stay #2.Amelia during hospital stay #3.I did a lot of research two days ago, and found much that was useful. A lot of it is scary, too. I found some helpful information about the effects of encephalitis on behavior at a UK site. The "tips" way down at the bottom are e... Turquoise Gates blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3331545 Thu, 04 Mar 2010 18:27:00 +0100 3331545 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3316226&cid=t_207424_136_f&fid=39016&url=http%3A%2F%2Fturquoisegates.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F02%2Famelia-is-home.html We are all under the same roof again, and it feels so good! Thank you for your prayer for sweet Amelia as she underwent sedation yesterday. Her lab tests so far have been good news: no new infection, so what we are observing is still part of the same illness. However, her neurologist is considering changing her diagnosis from Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis (ADEM) to Multiphasic Disseminated Encephalomyelitis (MDEM). MDEM is slightly less dangerous and damaging than multiple sclerosis. However, it is a more severe illness than ADEM, with multiple episodes of demyelination that can be triggered by viral or bacterial illnesses, stress, or unknown environmental factors. Each episode of demyelination carries the risk of permanent damage, all the way up to paralysis, mental disability, or ... Turquoise Gates blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3316226 Sat, 27 Feb 2010 22:43:00 +0100 3316226 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3314778&cid=t_207424_136_f&fid=39016&url=http%3A%2F%2Fturquoisegates.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F02%2Fout-of-sedation-safely.html Amelia just came out of sedation about an hour ago. She did very well during her tests, with the exception of some low heart rates (which, to my recollection, are normal for her). Her MRI was read immediately by our wonderful neurologist, who reports that her brain is healing! Not "healed", but at least healing! That means we can finally let out a long sigh of relief and stop worrying about underlying genetic conditions would show up as worsening demyelination. I could have danced a jig when he said that! As a nurse, I've seen the trajectory for children with those conditions, and it is seriously my very worst nightmare. I am so relieved that isn't the path God has asked us to walk.Her spinal tap showed that the pressure around her brain is "acceptable". I wasn't given the actual reading, ... Turquoise Gates blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3314778 Fri, 26 Feb 2010 23:16:00 +0100 3314778 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3307060&cid=t_207424_136_f&fid=39016&url=http%3A%2F%2Fturquoisegates.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F02%2Fno-tests-today.html No time slots were available in the operating room today, so no tests today for dear Amelia. Her tests are scheduled for 2:30 p.m. tomorrow. She was pretty excited to order breakfast this morning!Amelia slept soooo much better on the hospital bed (usually the reverse is true!). The adjustable bed made all the difference, as she slept in a sitting position all night long. I think it was the best sleep she's gotten since Friday night, when this all started to escalate. She was up at 7, raring to go on her trike, roaring through the halls and terrorizing the tired night shift workers. She started vomiting this morning, never a good sign, especially when the child isn't nauseous. But she's perfectly happy, regardless! What a trooper. (Source: Turquoise Gates) Turquoise Gates blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3307060 Thu, 25 Feb 2010 14:52:00 +0100 3307060 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3307062&cid=t_207424_136_f&fid=39016&url=http%3A%2F%2Fturquoisegates.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F02%2Famelia-in-hospital-again.html Quite unexpectedly, we are back in the hospital with Amelia again today. She has had a bad couple of days, as I've written here. She is having what may be some partial, or focal, seizures. She is also having an increase of symptoms that indicate a climbing pressure surrounding her brain. She was admitted primarily for testing, and to evaluate how stable her neurologic status is in a safer setting. Today she had a short EEG (electroencephalogram) to get a baseline of her brain wave patterns under certain conditions. She did not have any seizure activity during the test, although she wasn't really expected to. The test was to rule out the possibility of more severe seizures. Tomorrow, her neurologist is trying to shoehorn her into an operating room time slot for more tests. If they find a ti... Turquoise Gates blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3307062 Thu, 25 Feb 2010 03:46:00 +0100 3307062 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3052357&cid=t_207424_136_f&fid=39016&url=http%3A%2F%2Fturquoisegates.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F12%2Ffamily-health-update.html We are ecstactic to finally have good news to report on Amelia's brain! Her latest scan showed stable demyelination, meaning it hasn't gotten any worse since the last scan in mid-November, and decreased leptomeningeal enhancement, which means the inflammation from infection is receding with the steroid treatment. She will remain on steroids through December and January, which can be dangerous to other body organs, so keep her overall health in your prayers. She also has a very low lymphocyte count, which indicates an immune deficiency. She will be undergoing more testing for that on December 8, and they may start treatment while waiting until after she is off steroids to do the rest of the testing that needs to be done to determine the cause. Her lab tests for a handful of fatal diseases, ... Turquoise Gates blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3052357 Thu, 03 Dec 2009 02:47:00 +0100 3052357 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3026888&cid=t_207424_136_f&fid=39016&url=http%3A%2F%2Fturquoisegates.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F11%2Fthat-old-familiar-place.html I was admitted to the hospital today with a double kidney infection that has also invaded my bloodstream. Prayers are appreciated - for quick healing, some type of family celebration for the holiday, and rest for me in the hospital. It's been a wild month. Amy is also showing recurrence of her symptoms since starting the steroid wean. That has put a whole bunch of scary diagnoses back on the table, so to speak. Please keep her little brain in your prayers. We are thanking God this Thanksgiving...for her wholly intact spunky sweetness today. (Source: Turquoise Gates) Turquoise Gates blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3026888 Wed, 25 Nov 2009 04:19:00 +0100 3026888 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2989375&cid=t_207424_136_f&fid=39016&url=http%3A%2F%2Fturquoisegates.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F11%2Fgood-day.html You just never know how God is going to speak love into your day: for one enthralled 3-year-old, it was a "lights and sirens" midnight ride in an ambulance. The same ride that struck pain through my heart spoke joy to hers.God is watering my soul in the all-too-rare moments shared between my precious troisième fille - it is but a drop of bitter to the sweetness that these days occur in the confines of hospital walls. All in all, it's been a really great day. Amy is still pretty wobbly on her feet. She is doing a lot of posturing with her legs and feet, which can be a sign of high intracranial pressure (pressure within the skull).There is no therapy for this bubbly little girl like water. As the shower rains down on her, I watch her soul expanding from a dried husk of the daughter I know a... Turquoise Gates blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2989375 Fri, 13 Nov 2009 04:35:00 +0100 2989375 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2984996&cid=t_207424_136_f&fid=39016&url=http%3A%2F%2Fturquoisegates.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F11%2Fhis-perfect-love-is-casting-out-fear.html Amy began vomiting, having increased headache, loss of balance, and sleepiness as the day went on yesterday. We went to the Eau Claire ER, where our doctor had paved the way for a quick transfer back to Fairview-University Medical Center in Minneapolis. Amy felt somewhat better by the time we were transported, thanks to some anti-nausea medication that slowed the vomiting. She got her dream ride in an ambulance with lights and sirens on the way to the Cities! I think the ambulance team got a kick out of having someone enjoy the ride for once!Today Amy is scheduled for a sedated MRI at 3:30 p.m. She is walking a little better this morning, although still listing to the side and tipping if unassisted. She is sitting well, which is better than last time we went through this. Her eyes look pre... Turquoise Gates blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2984996 Thu, 12 Nov 2009 14:37:00 +0100 2984996 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2977542&cid=t_207424_136_f&fid=39016&url=http%3A%2F%2Fturquoisegates.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F11%2Flight-in-darkness.html Both we and our fathers have sinned; we have committed iniquity; we have done wickedness. Our fathers, when they were in Egypt, did not consider your wondrous works, they did not remember the abundance of your steadfast love, but rebelled by the Sea. Yet he saved them for his name's sake, that he might make known his mighty power. Psalm 106:6-8My hormone levels dropped again today. I guess that means my "miracle baby" has died already. This is a blessing, and something to be mourned. God is giving me one miracle: a natural miscarriage, lifting from my shoulders the burden to watch over my own health for signs of bleeding and to safeguard the life of my baby from those who would sooner kill it "just to be safe". Yet on the other hand, another miracle was denied: I prayed against statistics ... Turquoise Gates blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2977542 Mon, 09 Nov 2009 19:44:00 +0100 2977542 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2977543&cid=t_207424_136_f&fid=39016&url=http%3A%2F%2Fturquoisegates.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F11%2Fwalking-balance-beam.html "Methotrexate is a chemotherapy drug that targets rapidly dividing cells. Which is all the placenta is, really."Really?Call me old-fashioned - I thought it was a divinely perfect organ for the nourishment of a tiny, helpless human being a few cells this side of oblivion, on it's way to all that loveliness we call baby. When I heard the obstetrician talk in this way about the baby growing inside me, something seriously snapped. I am struggling with anger, distrust, and sarcasm as I deal with our care providers in Eau Claire - from the midwives who hung me out to dry on the abortion issue, to the physicians who missed Amelia's encephalitis for weeks on end. It is such a struggle to balance acceptance, submission, a quiet spirit, humility, my belief in a cursed world and a loving Jesus...wit... Turquoise Gates blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2977543 Mon, 09 Nov 2009 17:14:00 +0100 2977543 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2967498&cid=t_207424_136_f&fid=39016&url=http%3A%2F%2Fturquoisegates.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F11%2Fwelcome-home-amelia.html We left the hospital yesterday around 3 p.m. Amy was literally grinning ear to ear for the last three hours of her stay there. The nurses and doctors were thrilled to get a glimpse of the "real" Amy before we left! She brought dark chocolates out to her doctors and nurses, and even thanked them without prompting. Very cute! She is skinny, and pale, and shaky, and her eyes are still crossed. But she is totally Amy! I am so abundantly thankful for that. What a blessing!When you are three, you get to ride out of the hospital in a wagon, not a wheelchair. What fun. Amy took a trike ride over to the family lounge when I went to collect my food from the fridge. While there, I met another mama whose daughter was admitted the same day as Amelia with viral encephalitis. She was quickly moved to the... Turquoise Gates blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2967498 Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:06:00 +0100 2967498 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2963300&cid=t_207424_136_f&fid=39016&url=http%3A%2F%2Fturquoisegates.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F11%2Fflying-coop.html We just got word we are going home today! Amy is smiling non-stop and I must admit I am, too! It has been 10 long days and we miss home horribly. There is some concern about discharging her so soon after stopping the antiviral medication, but "since both parents are nurses with ICU experience"...oh, how I hate it when they drop that big ball of responsibility squarely into our court! Most of the various specialists agree that the changes in her brain are not inflammatory but demyelinating. This means that the virus or the inflammation it caused resulted in a loss of protective fatty covering on the coils of the brain in the area that was most affected. It can also be an early sign of a long-term congenital condition. Amy will be required to have multiple MRI's over the next month to year, ... Turquoise Gates blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2963300 Thu, 05 Nov 2009 15:46:00 +0100 2963300 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2963301&cid=t_207424_136_f&fid=39016&url=http%3A%2F%2Fturquoisegates.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F11%2Flight-beckons.html The end of the tunnel glimmers ahead of us, sparkling with the light of a little girl riding a trike around 2 hospital units. I didn't realize that riding and walking utilize two distinct areas of the brain. The freedom she feels when she's pedaling is intoxicating. She gets tired quickly, but she is tallying up some serious miles despite the fatigue, giddy with the delight of autonomy and exploration after 9 days cooped up in the same 10x13 hospital room.Amy's hand-eye coordination is improving as the eye-jerking (nystagmus) disappears. Yesterday and today, there were just a few brief periods when very mild nystagmus was noticeable - the rest of the time, it is gone altogether. The part of her brain that is inflamed, the cerebellum, controls the movements we don't think about, like depth ... Turquoise Gates blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2963301 Thu, 05 Nov 2009 06:21:00 +0100 2963301 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2962870&cid=t_207424_77_f&fid=37259&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.horizonpress.com%2Fblogger%2F2009%2F11%2Fsmall-ruminant-lentiviruses.html The Visna-Maedi virus (VMV) and the caprine arthritis encephalitis virus (CAEV) were considered to be specific pathogens of sheep and goats, respectively. The finding that these lentiviruses frequently cross the species barrier between sheep and goats, and vice versa, has changed our view of the epidemiology of these viruses and they are now referred to as small ruminant lentiviruses (SRLV). A brief review of the molecular epidemiology of these lentiviruses will illustrate the diffusion and intermixing of these viruses in the two target species and documented cases of double infection and recombination between VMV and CAEV will be discussed. Monocytes-macrophages and dendritic cells are the main target cells of CAEV. Monocytes carrying the lentiviral provirus in their genome show little or... Microbiology Blog: The weblog for microbiologists. blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2962870 Wed, 04 Nov 2009 17:13:00 +0100 2962870 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2948460&cid=t_207424_136_f&fid=39016&url=http%3A%2F%2Fturquoisegates.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F10%2Fillness-in-pictures.html Amy's last healthy day, October 8th - her first of three 3rd birthday parties!Amy just post tonsillectomy. A little wan, a little thin and pale. Enjoying stories with Grandpa.Siblings find something fun to do while Amy spent another day at the clinic being evaluated on October 22nd in Eau Claire. They visited Auntie Melissa's museum.Third day at the Children's Hospital, October 29. Neurologists do one final assessment before Amelia goes down for sedation for a 2nd spinal tap.Sisters peeking through the window before Amy goes down to the operating room. Family comforts Amelia inside the room. I have a distinct memory of this same experience when my brother Ben nearly died of pneumonia just after he was born. I still remember the ridges painted on the glass, how they felt beneath my fingers.... Turquoise Gates blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2948460 Sun, 01 Nov 2009 04:09:00 +0100 2948460 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2948461&cid=t_207424_136_f&fid=39016&url=http%3A%2F%2Fturquoisegates.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F10%2Fback-up-hill-on-this-rollercoaster.html For this reason the argument which is always forthcoming to silence those who conceive extraordinary hopes of man, namely the appeal to experience, is for ever invalid and vain. A mightier hope abolishes despair. We give up the past to the objector, and yet we hope. He must explain this hope. We grant that human life is mean, but how did we find out that it was mean? What is the ground of this uneasiness of ours; of this old discontent? What is the universal sense of want and ignorance, but the fine innuendo by which the great soul makes it enormous claim? Why do men feel that the natural history of man has never been written, but always he is leaving behind what you have said of him, and it becomes old, and books of metaphysics worthless? The philosophy of six thousand years has not searc... Turquoise Gates blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2948461 Sat, 31 Oct 2009 18:47:00 +0100 2948461 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2947103&cid=t_207424_136_f&fid=39016&url=http%3A%2F%2Fturquoisegates.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F10%2Fovernight-deterioration.html As we were warned, Amelia has started to deteriorate again as her spinal fluid builds up the pressure around her brain. Overnight, she became combative and her pain level has notched up all night long. She resists diaper changes and position changes because of her back, leg, neck and head pain. She has become extremely light sensitive, and screams in pain and thrashes when they try to check her pupils or eye movements, prying her eyes open. Now this morning she is vomiting again. It is excruciating to watch, as this is exactly how I woke up on Tuesday. It is so hard that we haven't made any progress yet...toward knowing what the bug is, or improving her condition. I am scared. (What time I am afraid, I will trust in Thee.)The plan for today is a sedated MRI and possibly a line placement (a... Turquoise Gates blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2947103 Sat, 31 Oct 2009 11:55:00 +0100 2947103 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2947104&cid=t_207424_136_f&fid=39016&url=http%3A%2F%2Fturquoisegates.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F10%2Fstill-frame-in-rushing-water.html I shall know why, when time is over,And I have ceased to wonder why;Christ will explain each separate anguishAnd I, for wonder at his woe,I shall forget the drop of anguish,That scalds me now, that scalds me now.~ from Emily Dickinson's Time & Eternity, 1926 ~It was a golden, crisp autumn afternoon: October 8th, the last day I remember Amelia healthy in the recent past. We went to the park to play Pooh sticks off the bridge I used to walk as a child. Today has been a tough day. I think the stress is starting to hit home a bit. I feel like I am spinning wheels when I am doing anything other than tending to, absorbing, or cuddling my children - any of the four of them. And unfortunately, I can't have all four together in one room due to the unknown origin of Amelia's infection (she is in... Turquoise Gates blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2947104 Sat, 31 Oct 2009 04:22:00 +0100 2947104 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2947106&cid=t_207424_136_f&fid=39016&url=http%3A%2F%2Fturquoisegates.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F10%2Fmore-improvements.html Amelia has sat up for quite some time today. She is still arching her back somewhat, and as you can see in this photo, her eyes don't track quite right nor are all of her facial expressions symmetric. However, things seem to be going in the right direction for now. Her antibiotics have been restarted because there is still uncertainty about the source of the infection. Haemophilus B influenza and one other common bacteria latex assays (rapid screening tests) came back negative in her spinal fluid. Her spinal fluid is showing no neutrophils now (markers of bacterial infection); neutrophils were present in her previous spinal tap from Tuesday. However, there are more cells indicating viral infection now than there were then. There is some question whether they have effectively been treating ... Turquoise Gates blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2947106 Fri, 30 Oct 2009 17:43:00 +0100 2947106 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2944056&cid=t_207424_136_f&fid=39016&url=http%3A%2F%2Fturquoisegates.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F10%2Fcrashing-down.html When the rain comes it seems that everyone hasgone awayWhen the night falls you wonder if you shouldn'tfind someplaceTo run and hideEscape the painBut hiding's such a lonely thing to doI can't stop the rainFrom falling down on you againI can't stop the rainBut I will hold you 'til it goes awayWhen the rain comesyou blame it on the things thatyou have doneWhen the storm fadesyou know that rain must fallon everyoneRest awhileit'll be alrightNo one loves you like I doWhen the rain comesI will hold you~ When the Rain Comes, Third DayAmelia was diagnosed "empirically" (without laboratory evidence) with viral encephalitis today. A new team of doctors was added, the infectious disease specialists. The lead doctor of this team seems to be channeling a slightly kinder version of Dr. House, which we... Turquoise Gates blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2944056 Fri, 30 Oct 2009 03:05:00 +0100 2944056 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=815198&cid=t_207424_87_f&fid=35057&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblogs.orlandosentinel.com%2Ffeatures_healthblog%2F2007%2F08%2Fmosquito-alert-.html The blood-suckers are back. Don't take chances with mosquitoes. Across the nation, health departments are reporting cases of mosquito-caused encephalitis. The potentially fatal brain condition can be caused by viruses that are spread through insect bites. Three of the common... (Source: Health Check the Blog) Health Check the Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=815198 Wed, 22 Aug 2007 11:07:00 +0100 815198