Epilepsy update for Zoe

I have not posted much recently but that was because of me.....not Zoe. I had my own SCARE of Cancer again with a partial mastectomy performed about 3 weeks ago now. Thankfully, it ended up being a huge mass 4in by 3.5 in mass of hematoma and necrosis. So really I am fine, still sore but will be just fine. But for those who come to see about our girl, I really need to update all on Miss Zoe. Just before we moved, she was admitted for video surveillance and all kinds of testing as she was having some activities at night that we questioned if they were minor seizures or not. We had recently adopted a dog from the shelter that had awakened us to some activities by her that we actually witnessed in time but there were other things like an occasional incontinence or slight bowel loss or one hand extended rigidly we were unsure of. Of course NOTHING happened while under surveillance so we at that time did not alter any of her medications. We went through a major military move and went to visit family in two different states along the way. Although it was great to see everyone, it is also hard when your four year old is not well. We had some MAJOR whining, tiredness and behavior issues to deal with along the way. At times, it was hard to deal with and kind of embarrasing as it (to me) is impossible to punish your child for this type of behavior. She was not being BAD.......well really just a pain in the butt! Now, I love my girl greatly and knew in my heart that after 3 1/2 years of prior behavior that this was brought on by the medications as the strong willed personality traits increased as her dosage was increased to control the seizures. As did the whining, etc. Almost like OCD. Once we got moved, settled and we began the preschool screenings, etc. I brought it up to the new doc about the issues and my thoughts. Thankfully, it had been about 6 months since any REAL seizure activity had been witnessed. Although they really want 12 months before they back off the medications. They agreed to start easing her off. Well we are just about to the one year mark now, she is off all medications and her behavior has reverted back to close to what it was prior. THANKFULLY. I now have many more gray hairs but that is okay. Occasionally she still is a whiny brat but I can live with that. I just put her down for a nap and the behavior then clears up. She to me is better off the medicine although it concerns me that she may need it at some point. I think of Jack at those times. God Bless his soul. I think of Jenni and her emptiness but know that God has a plan and do my best to leave it in His hands. Just wanted to share. Zoe in my opinion acts as if she has never had an issue. She still wears her medical alert anklet and we have the medicine at school with plans in place at all times. But for those concerned about behavior issues caused by meds, I feel it is very possible............