Ally Update

This post is a little long since we have not posted in awhile. 

Stanford - While at Stanford Ally's diagnosis was confirmed. She has Limbic Encephelitis which is inflammation in the limbic system of her brain. Also Ally's encephelitis is a Auto-immune encephalitis – caused by her own immune system reacting against itself. We were able to come home last week because there was no point in sitting in a hospital room waiting to see if the treatment has helped. When we saw her neurologist this past Tuesday she was happy about her improvement.

Treatment Plan - Limbic encephelitis does not have a specific drug or treatment plan because every child's case is different. We know for Ally the IVIG hemiglobin transfusions and steroids have been working on helping with the swelling and have made improvements on the encephelitis. Ally will have another round of IVIG next weekend but only should have to be in the hospital in Oakland for 3 to 4 days. Then we wait to see what imrpovement she makes.

How is Ally doing ... That is the question of the day. She's definately the best we have seen her over the last month to month & a half. Ally has been able to go to school for a couple of hours this week, and her memory has gotten better.  As thankful as we are for the improvements she is making we are still very aware that the encephelitis is not gone. She still has personality changes, is extremely emotional, and everything has a sense of urgency to her.

Prayer Requests ...
Continued healing
That Ally can go handle go back to school next week even if only part-time
Patience for Joe and I
Dr.'s wisdom on what to do next

Thanks for all of the prayers and support.

Lisa

Ally is coming home

Hi everyone
I talked to Lisa a bit ago and she said that the Neurologist said that Ally could come home! She will be coming home tonight so pray for their safe drive and that they would be able to come home and rest and Ally can heal quickly.  She will have a follow up in a week with her neurologist in Oakland.  As I get more details I will keep you all updated.

Standford

Ally, Lisa and Joe arrived at Standford Children's hospital last night.  Both Lisa and Joe were able to meet with a team of doctors and feel like they are in the best place for Ally.  They met with a neurologist and she will be bringing Ally's case to a team of neurologists to see what the best treatment is for her.  Hopefully they will know in the next couple of days what that will be.  In the mean time Lisa said that Ally is in ICU and there is a nurse with her constantly! Which is a blessing so Lisa and Joe will now be able to walk out of the room for a bit even if it is just to get fresh air.  They will also have an opportunity to use the Ronald McDonald house if a room becomes available where one or both parents can sleep at night without being too far away. What a blessing!!!
Please pray for the doctors as they discuss Ally's case and figure everything out.   Pray that a room becomes available for them at the Ronald McDonald House.  Pray for wisdom and peace for Joe and Lisa as they will be meeting with these doctors.  Pray that Ally remains comfortable through this process. She has been so brave and courageous through everything up to this point and want her to remain that way.
Again if you would like to help with anything please email me at heathrriis@sbcglobal.net
Thanks again for your prayers and support.  I will keep you updated as I am updated....

Ally is moving to Stanford Hospital

Hello everyone
We just got an update on Ally.  They are moving her to Stanford Hospital.  After Joe and Lisa talked with the doctor this afternoon, the doctor said she had been in contact with Stanford regarding Ally and that this would be the best place for her right now.  She will be transported there in a couple hours and will remain there for at least 10 days.  They are doing more test and as they know more about them and the results I will keep you updated.  Please keep this family in your prayers as they continue to get more answers.  Pray for their travels as this place is farther away from home.  Pray for Ally as she has endured a lot already and has been so brave and strong.  Pray for Kaitlynn and Morgan as they will have one parent at home again for a while. 
If you would like to help in anyway please email me @ heathrriis@sbcglobal.net.  There is also a link for meals if you wanted to sign up.
 http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.takethemameal.com%2Fmeals.php%3Ft%3DAXRB8317&h=wAQCM8YqfAQDKgaqFA8RPaU6GHrcdwdSrvn4oIm0_ZKtTSw

Thank you all for your covering them in prayer.  I will keep you posted as I am updated

Meals for The De Monts

If you would like to help the De Monts and bring a meal to them you can follow the link below! Thank you all for your support and help through this but most of all your prayers.

http://www.takethemameal.com/meals.php?t=AXRB8317

Ally is back in the hospital but hopefully not for long!

This is the text I just received from Lisa:

The EEG showed Ally having 2 seizures within a 30 minute time span. One was 2 minutes and one was 3 minutes. So the neurologist felt like we needed to add another medicine and we would do the first couple doses as a heavy blast. Since Ally has had some reactions to other seizure medicines we all felt better about having Ally stay in the hospital while we make sure she can tolerate the new medicine. On a positive note the neurologist feels like we can start lowering the steroids and have her completely off of them in a few weeks.

Please pray that by tomorrow they will have all the medicine figured out and Ally will be home again. Pray for safe travels! Pray that the Lord gives Joe and Lisa peace abd wisdom as they are trying to figure all of this out and strength to get Ally on the mend adjusting to all the changes.
If you would like to help the De Monts with a meal please email me at heathrriis@sbcglobal.net they would appreciate it so much!
Thank you

Adjusting To Being Home

First off thank you everyone for your love prayers and support that you have given to The De Mont's.  It truely has been a blessing to all of them.
I recieved an update this morning on Ally as she is adjusting well to being at home.  They have all enjoyed being a family for the last few days. She has continued on her steriod medication so as Lisa has put it "Her attitude has been a little crazy"! This can be a side effect to the steriods.
She is still having seizures frequently about 4-5 times a day, but they seem to be short and are motorskill seizures in her right hand and arm.  Joe and Lisa will be taking her to Oakland tomorrow for another EEG to check on her progress and see how she is doing.  Please pray specifically that she is on the mend and that they won't admit her back into the hospital and that they will see positive signs that the steriods and the seizure meds are working.  Please pray for safe travels to and from the hospital.  Pray that the Lord gives those doctors wisdom in treating little Ally.
Thank you again from the De Mont's for your prayers and support!
I will update again after her doctors appointment tomorrow!

Ally is coming home

ALLY GETS TO COME HOME
ALLY GETS TO COME HOME
ALLY GETS TO COME HOME


Such a huge blessing Lisa and Ally are on their way home in about an hour!
Thank you all for praying and continue to pray as their journey continues......

Ally Update

Ally's prognosis as of right now is, if her blood pressure stays down past lunch and she has no seizures she will get to go home today!!YAY!!!!!!! They will know around 12:00-12:30. She will stay on the steroids for a while until all swelling goes down. The doctor has confirmed that Ally does have epilepsy. So with that diagnosis they will be dealing with it probably her whole life. She will start speech therapy next week and she will do it 3 times a week for about one year.  Wednesday of next week Joe and Lisa will bring Ally back to Oakland for another EEG and see her neurologist.  If she has changed courses and goes backwards they will admit her back into the hospital but Lisa said they are pretty confident that that is not going to happen.
First thing we need to Praise Jesus for his healing hand upon this little girl and that they received answers. The De Mont's have said several times that the waiting and the not knowing has been one of the hardest things.  Now they know what they are dealing with and what road they will have to take. Praise the Lord that they can all be together as a family again in their own home with Ally!
Things to pray for:
Pray that Ally's blood pressure stays down and she has no seizures so that they can come home and heal in their own environment.  Pray for Wednesday when she does her EEG that there is progress and that she can continue to heal at home. Pray for strength for Joe and Lisa as they will be caring for Ally at home just like in the hospital. Which means that 24 hour care needs to be given to her. 
I will update again this afternoon so that you all will know when she will be released.
Again the De Mont's thank you so much for all the prayers and support through this!!!!