(no subject)

I'm feeling kind of fragile and short on cope right now. To the point where I called Cayne at work and asked him to try and wrap his day up as early as he reasonably could.

I know they won't call until this evening unless there's some news or a breakthrough of some sort, but I'm just rattled today. I don't know why today specifically, just am.

The kids are still asleep but I expect them to wake up any minute now. I'm so grateful that Naomi went down easily and peacefully for her nap. I'd popped a tired Miriam into her bed, knowing that she'd probably fuss and cry for a few minutes while I put Naomi down (Naomi's nap routine is blissfully short right now) but she had gotten into something I don't want her in earlier today and I just didn't have the patience to deal again, so I decided for my own sake that the few minutes of crying was worth protecting my sanity today. And before I could get back to her, she was asleep. I was relieved, although I hate when she cries herself to sleep. But today, I needed her contained in a safe area for a few minutes and didn't expect her to fall asleep-I thought she'd need some cuddling and rocking.

I'd really like some good news soon.

Everyday a new theory

Today's theory is frontal lobe encephalitis most likely caused by either a herpes virus or West Nile virus. The 6 hours of EEG seem like they might be consistent with that, and Dad is on another 24 hour EEG for more information. They're also trying to culture the cerebrospinal fluid from the spinal tap-they weren't looking for either of these the other day so they didn't test for it. The infectious disease doctor says that if this is it, it may have been building for a very long time.

Apparently he was back to normal today. The crazy seems to come and go depending on how well controlled his fever is. When the fever goes up, so does the level of crazy, when the fever is down, he's his normal, cranky self.

He's been put on antiviral medication as well as the antibiotics.

The encephalitis makes a little sense, my mother says. She says that since he's gone back to work, they've been bickering more often (irritability is a symptom) and Dad (who has never been great at remembering things) has been complaining about even more forgetfulness (another symptom.) So we're going with this for now. And either it will be right or not, and if it is right, then we see how much damage is done, and what the long term prognosis is. West Nile encephalitis is fatal in about 10% of cases they've been told (but it looks unlikely that Dad's would be fatal) but it can also cause muscle issues or long term brain damage.

Another day, another theory. I'll be glad when we know what's going on. I'm glad my siblings can be there, I wish I could be. I just hope there's an answer and a plan soon.