Diana from Johns Hopkins Called Yesterday - EMU in Baltimore

Well, It looks like we are going to see how they do EMU (Epilepsy Monitoring Unit) "East Coast Style".

Diana Pillas, from Johns Hopkins called yesterday and said that she is trying to get us into the EMU in Baltimore in April. They need to make certain that Jessie has no Rasmussen Activity in her Left Hemisphere. There is only one thing more rare than Rasmussen's Encephalitis, and that is Bilateral Rasmussen's (disease on both sides of the brain). Dr. Vining said that she has only heard of three cases of bilateral Rasmussen's. They still have to be certain that this is not the case, as she would not be a candidate for surgery, and it, of course, would be devastating.

It is standard practice for them to go into the EMU for a few days. We will be in the EMU for 4 or 5 days in Baltimore, and then meet with the Neurosurgeon that will perform Jessie's Hemispherectomy (Hemidecorticectomy).

Kristi and I have been reading Dr. Ben Carson's books and really have enjoyed them. Read them if you get a chance, they are wonderfully inspiring. They really give you an insight into the philosophy of Neurology and Neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins. Dr. Carson is the head of Pediatric Neurosurgery at Hopkins, and was instrumental in bringing back the hemispherectomy for intractable seizures. He is a devout Christian, and an inspiration. We only hope that his legacy is somewhat present as Dr. Jallo works on our baby.

Johns Hopkins has had many generations of Neurosurgeons who have performed this procedure and perfected it, so Kristi and I feel comfortable with Dr. Jallo, even though we have never met him.

We will keep you posted.

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