Post-Seizure Update

The panel of radiologists have returned with a diagnosis, and it isn't great. Ariana does have a new clot in her brain. There has not been a stroke, but a stroke still could be imminent should the clot continue to grow. The head radiologist (Dr. Kuasha [sp?] ) called to me today, along with the Patient Care Liaison for Radiology (Beth Walker), director of Radiology (Al Wildman), and our intensivist during our stay (Dr. Haddad); informing me of the news. They've been working very hard to "resolve this issue", and they've had every radiologist worth their salt at Banner Desert review Ari's current and previous (01/09) MRVs. It's no longer a hung jury on what's going on with Ari. On Ariana's current MRV, there is a missing vein. On the previous MRV, ss stated by Dr. Kuasha, that same vein "looked normal". Now, we are just waiting on Ariana's hematologist, Dr. Shah, to decide whether or not to prescribe anti-coagulation therapy (Heparin most likely). The anti-coagulation therapy is not expected to break up the clot, but should prevent the clot from growing any larger. However, there are many serious dangers to anticoagulants, which may in fact outweigh the risk of leaving the clot alone. For instance, any minor injury/bump/fall could cause Ariana to hemorrhage, which equals automatic stroke or even death (if it's in the brain). The clot, on the other hand, might continue to exist without fully impeding the blood flow (causing a stroke). It's Russian roulette either way. This time, the doctors are going to have to make the call on their own.