In 2024, we jumped right in the deep end of trying to manage Austin's new chronic disease, epilepsy. We are learning how to advocate for him and keep him safe. It has been difficult, but we are overcoming the hurdles bit by bit.
Over Christmas break, I connected with Austin's teachers and counselors to advocate for him. He had a really rough start to the semester and was struggling to catch back up after his seizures, concussion, and new medication. We got an accommodation plan in place at school and he was able to connect with teachers and finish the semester strong!
He received a beautiful, thoughtful gift from Mr. J, who has been incredibly supportive of Austin throughout his time at BSM, even before he was thrown the curveball of epilepsy.
Austin was seizure free for 3 months from his 2nd seizure September 27th to the end of December, so he was legally allowed to get back to driving. We let him start driving to school again after Christmas break.
On January 24th, Austin was home with Steve, Sarah, and Trevor while I was working evening clinic and Austin had another seizure. This was the first we had been able to witness. Sarah recognized he was going to seize, grabbed him, and lowered him safely to the floor. Steve supported Austin turned on his side while Sarah scooped up Austin's dropped phone and recorded/timed the seizure, while calling me on the phone at clinic and soothing Trevor, who I could hear crying in the background. She sent me the video and I watched it at work before I headed home. It broke my heart in a million pieces to watch Austin go through that. Little did I know it was going to get worse months later. This time, we determined that Austin had missed 1 dose of his medication the day before. He was on Keppra and his epileptologist changed his Keppra to the long acting version hoping to avoid a big dip in drug level were he to miss a dose again. We still don't know why this all started happening in the first place or what his triggers are. That is definitely still a work in progress!
In other happenings...
Trevor is too young to compete in the Minnesota State High School League Fencing Tournament, as you have to be in at least 7th grade and he is only in 5th grade. He could probably hold his own at that tournament, but he can't enter. His coaches asked him to come to the tournament to COACH his YEL teammates! He had a blast getting to coach the high schoolers, and we heard back that he's actually a pretty great coach!
Sarah attended the Intrigue Dance Convention on her birthday weekend.
Then celebrated her birthday with family.
Austin volunteered as server at school Mass.
Sarah performed with her middle school jazz band, Cold Front, for which she plays piano.
We celebrated my birthday at CRAVE with an aggressive candle in my birthday dessert!
Despite the tough circumstances of this semester, Austin made the Highest Honor Roll at school!
More jazz band...
Sarah will smile and wave at Laurie, but apparently she can't smile for me.
I just happened to be on hospital rounds when Sarah's dance studio owner/teacher had her baby, beautiful Trevi, so I got to meet her the day she was born!
We went out on my actual birthday and enjoyed dinner (and of course, dessert!) at Cheesecake Factory.
Sarah also made me a homemade salted caramel cake! It was absolutely delicious!
In Quiz Bowl playoffs, Austin's team won top 16 honors!
Sarah's honor band had the opportunity to do a guest director clinic with the honor band at Central Middle School in Eden Prairie.
Sarah cheered on her teammates doing the Polar Plunge.
(We have had such a warm winter that there was no ice on the lake!)
8th grade band concert for Sarah
Off to Peoria for Trevor's regional fencing tournament with his YEL teammates.
While at the tournament, the NYT Connections Puzzle had one of the answer categories as "fencing equipment". I definitely got that one first!
Austin and his Knowledge Bowl team had fun goofing off at the Sculpture Garden when they went to Regionals.
Steve and I had date night to go see "Clue".
Trevor grew cress seeds in water and sugar water for his science fair experiment. He was surprised to find that the sugar water actually harmed the plants.
Austin participated in Model UN at Macalaster College.
Sarah kicked off the dance comp season with dress rehearsal at the studio.
And had the All Conference Band Concert in which she played in the Middle School Honor Band.
Next we head into the dance competition season, tax season, fencing regionals, etc.
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