Our Emily has papilledema, swelling of the optic nerve. No one would know to look at her except that her one eye turns in and she turns her head to look at things because of the double vision. By turning her head, her eyes both go in the same direction which makes it easier for her to focus on whatever she wants to see. Her motor skills and behavior are all normal for her age. Emily has remained very active.
She has been to the pediatrician who sent her to a pediactric optomologist who sent her to the neurologist who sent her to a cardiologist because they also found a heart murmur. The heart murmur is something she will outgrow and not a concern. They needed to be sure becasue she will be sedated when they do an MRI.
A CT scan, for which she had to be sedated, found the swelling so tomorrow she will be having an MRI. If the MRI doesn't show anything, they will do a spinal tap which, according to the top neurologist in NJ, will tell him exactly what is causing it. Anything from a spider bite to a lesion on her brain are among the possibilities. The CT scan has almost ruled out a tumor, but the MRI will tell us for sure. If it is caused by a lesion, they would have to operate. If that is the case, they will take her to Children's Hospital in PA to the top neurologist there for a second opinion.
The doctors have been great in taking her right away for their examinations and tests. The neurologist is not taking new patients at this time, but made an exception for our Emily. There has to be a cause and he's determined to find it.
Please include our Emily in your prayers.
Nana
