Brain Function Scan

It's been a bit overwhelming getting back home and I am still processing everything we learned but it was very helpful and I am very thankful for that!!!

I was very grateful for the helpful insight of the scans since I was definitely worried about if it would be a waste of our
money and time not to mention worry and anxiousness for E.  Eden had 2 scans done of her brain, one while in resting mode and the other in concentration mode (after doing a series of computer "games.")  Interestingly enough, the results showed that parts of
her brain were even more active while resting than while concentrating.  Obviously, there are areas that have to be active while concentrating in order to function at all.  The scan results are broken down to "thinking parts" and "emotional parts" of the brain.
The "thinking parts" of the brain results appeared fairly normal, although still somewhat overactive.  The "emotional parts" of the brain were super over active, which causes many things, as well as a domino effect to other parts of the brain.  When all of
these areas of the brain are overactive it causes many things, such as rigidness, anger, poor concentration, depression, impulse control, poor judgment, lack of empathy, lack of feeling, anxiety, predicting the worse, bonding, language, listening, reading,
social skills, aggression, and on and on I'm afraid.... but it all makes sense!!!  We see it!!!  The cause of this is both through the biology of the brain and of course, trauma.

Her diagnosis is still a bit hard to grasp but it is: anxiety disorder, ADD, RAD, and possibly FAS (they would have to do another test to be positive on this but there was a finding in the scan that can be linked to FAS so they can't rule it out.)  This
can all be changed but it will take a lot of time and hard work (more time if it is indeed FAS as well).  The most important goal at this point is calming the brain.  It was great to hear by the doctor that we have been doing all the right things but we won't
see a change until her brain is calmed down.  By doing this, they suggest vitamins and natural remedies on very high dosages and then to continue upping the dosages until we can get her leveled out.  It may be more effective to put her on medication which
we are ready to do if necessary at this point in order to get her on an even keel!!!

 

I believe you all know my thinking on "labeling" our kids!!  I don't like to do it to give our kids a crutch or excuses, but sometimes it is very helpful in understanding what we are dealing with, as is with Eden's case!

 

In the meantime we are still on quite the roller coaster ride and it won't get better until she can feel a difference but we are trying to instill new coping mechanisms for her anger, anxiousness, etc as well as really be aggressive with her nutritional needs.  It has been suggested to start neuro feedback therapy as well as other ongoing therapy but for now we have our plate full.  It has been suggested that we get people to help however possible to help our family be what we need to be to not only E but the other children. 

 

The night before we were to leave for San Francisco, I decided to take Bear with us.  He was having a hard time and I just decided maybe it would be better to take him.  It was a bit more hassle but he does pretty good!!

 

I was very proud of E for holding super still in order to get a thorough scan 2 times!



They weren't super impressed to be in the city!  Def not in their comfort zone!

Last day in the Dr. office!

Last morning before heading home!