Phase 3: The WADA Test

I was up bright and early at 5:00AM this morning to go to the hospital for the last test to evaluate me for surgery: the WADA test.

The WADA test is named after Juhn Atsushi Wada, a Japanese Canadian Neurologist and Epileptologist. This test is for cerebral hemispheric language function, as well as a memory representation in each hemisphere.

Once I got there, they attached the EEG leads to my scalp like they had done previously on the first test I had back in May. The process took about 45 minutes or so to measure my head, mark it, and attach the electrodes to the scalp. Let’s just say that these are not the “extensions” girls want for their hair!

After that, an EEG Technician took me down to my recovery room to get me started. They put in an IV, drew labs, as well as attaching more electrodes, and doing the regular check-up (temperature, blood pressure, pulse, and paper work). After about 30 minutes or so, they wheeled me down to the Angio Suite where the WADA test was to be performed.

The room was filled with staff to help with the test. It was a large white room with one small bed to lie on, as well as computer screens, x-ray like devices, and other equipment. After I got all set up, they cleaned the area where my right Femoral artery is, and prepped it for the procedure. The main person administering the test injected a numbing drug into the area where the catheter was to go through; it burned for about 15 seconds, and then I no longer had feeling there.

When the area was completely numb, he inserted a catheter that went all the way up to my brain; I felt pressure each time the catheter was moved. I glanced over every now and then, and could see an x-ray image of the electrodes attached to my scalp, as well as the blood vessels in my brain; I was blown away! It was something that not very many of us get to see!

Sodium Amobarbital (a drug to put one side of the brain to sleep) was injected through the catheter to put one side of my brain to sleep. I could feel a warm sensation at the site where the catheter was inserted, and one side of my body felt sleepy. My Neuropsychologist walked in to give me the memory tests for each hemisphere of the brain.

First, she asked me to raise both of my arms up and count to 20 out loud until one of my arms fell down (this shows the side of the brain that has been put to sleep); the left side of the brain controls the right side of the body, and the right side of the brain controls the left side of the body. I can’t remember which arm fell down first, but I know that it was really hard to stay awake and alert.

For one hemisphere, she showed me objects that she had shown me the day before to check my memory, and asked if I recognized these objects. I was a little more alert that time, and could hear her speaking; I tried really hard to remember. She also gave me a couple of sentences to read back to her; I had to hyper focus, because my vision was a bit blurry. I read the sentences when my vision wasn’t blurry. In between hemispheres, they take about a 30-minute or so break until the Sodium Amobarbital wares off, so they can start the other hemisphere.

As for the other hemisphere, I put both of my arms up and counted to twenty when my right arm dropped (which I believe is due to the dominance of the left hemisphere of my brain). This test was more difficult; I was really sleepy and the Neuropsychologist had to keep asking me to stay awake. I was shown pictures I had seen the day before, but it took me a while to wake up, focus, and remember the names of things she pointed to on the picture. I tried my hardest to speak, but I had a difficult time! It was like my brain was trying hard to respond, but what came out was a quiet mumble of an answer.

Once I came to, they removed the catheter, and cleaned and bandaged the site to prepare me to come home. I was wheeled back to my recovery room where my mom was waiting for me. It took a while to even get me to the state of being awake enough to remove the IV and other wires. I had an incredible nursing staff! I have to take it easy the next few days so that my artery won’t swell or bleed.

I have no clue how well I performed, and probably won’t until I get the call on the 20^th if surgery is a go. It’s crazy that I have already gone through all of the tests for pre-surgical evaluation!

The journey continues!

Neuropsychological Evaluation Results

I went to the hospital today to get the results from my Neuropsychological Evaluation last week. It was a lot to take in, but I now know more about my brain than I ever have, more than most people will in their entire lives.

There were significant differences between abilities. My IQ fell in the high average range, while my perceptual-organizational abilities fell in the moderately impaired range, which is consistent with the location of my malformation in the right temporal lobe (the cause of my seizures). I had no clue that my brain has been functioning my whole life with these impairments. It’s amazing how the brain compensates for deficits, and still continues to function.

 My memory for visual information was poor, as well as my memory for complex verbal information. Initially, my memory for verbal lists was strong, but after a period of delay, my memory declines. This explains why when I face situations of complexity in general, I slow down and have a hard time sorting through, and processing everything that is going on (what comes across as panic). I have to handle one task at a time, before I tackle the next. Also, my weakness in memory explains a great deal in my daily life; for example, finding words and mental flexibility, which are both cognitive difficulties; I battle with my memory everyday.

 As far as my academic performance, I have miraculously compensated for the life-long malformation in my brain. God, my study skills, and drive to work hard have helped me tremendously to overcome and find my own strategies to make it through. My strong verbal skills have contributed greatly to my success in my gift of language (which is my focus in my college education).

Although I have all of these deficits, the left hemisphere of my brain remains dominant, which is such a God thing because the right temporal lobe is where the malformation is. Everything is continuing to align perfectly, and this is how I know that this is God’s plan for me. Tomorrow I have the last phase of testing: the WADA test.

It feels weird knowing exactly how my brain functions, but I am so happy that I finally have answers!

P.S. My two-week “seizure free” record was broken last night when I had the worst Simple Partial seizure in my two years of being diagnosed with Epilepsy. It came from the right temporal lobe, and the sensations lasted 30-45 minutes. Continue to pray for me!

Follow-up Appointment

I met with my Epileptologist today, and he said that we are continuing to explore the possibility of surgery; treatment depends on the Neuropsych test, and the WADA results. 

The WADA test is where they insert a catheter into the femoral artery of the leg and put one side of the brain to sleep at a time to assess brain function.  Depending on the results, they will be able to tell which side of the brain is dominant, and from there they will have a pretty clear sign if surgery is even an option. 

I am nervous for the results of the Neuropsych and WADA tests next week. My doctor, the Neuropsychologist, the Neurosurgeon, and other Doctor's will sit and review my case on the 20th of this month. 

I had a moment of weakness and got teary after my appointment today; I had to remind myself that I have to trust God. I feel like He is saying, "Do you trust me now?" after each challenge I face.  Whatever outcome is for the best. I cannot let this consume me, and instead, have a fun-filled summer. :) Please continue to pray for me!

 P.S. I have been "seizure free" for two weeks now (my all time record).

Phase 2 of Testing: Neuropsych Testing

This morning I arrived at the hospital for the second of three tests to evaluate me for surgery. The Neuropsych Evaluation lasted three hours, and had various tasks to assess memory and brain function.

First, she interviewed me briefly about my life, and then went directly into the tasks I was to complete.  A picture was placed on the desk, and I recreated the drawing while looking at it, as well as changing the color of pencil I was drawing with when asked. Later, I drew the drawing from memory two more times within the span of the evaluation; I had a difficult time remembering the image I had seen before; I could only draw a few lines and a couple shapes. I racked my brain to remember the details of the picture. You could say that it looked that of a child’s drawing.

There was a facial recognition portion where she flipped through a book where I saw a collection of faces; I was shown another collection a bit after that. Then, I had to determine whether or not I recognized the face; I remembered about half of them, continuing to struggle.

For about five minutes, I played this game where I had to decide whether it was the color, the pattern, or the symbols they wanted me to match. I gaged which type of answer it wanted from me; I am guessing that it was testing how quickly I was able to distinguish change. This portion wasn’t as hard as the others I was asked to do.

Then, I was shown a series of pictures, and was asked to create those pictures with some small four-sided blocks (like a puzzle). I’m going to be honest here, I felt like a small child playing with toys. Although the picture was right in front of me, it took me several minutes to complete each puzzle; it got even more complex as more blocks and higher-level of difficulty pictures were added.

I completed other tests such as: word and letter association games, a math portion (not my strongest suit!), and remembering numbers (backwards and forwards). I was also asked simple questions, but I still had trouble recalling the answers.

She read two different stories with various key details to remember; each story was read at different times. These were brief stories, but I could only recall a few details. As a recurring theme in this post, I had a hard time recalling what I had just seen or heard. It was frustrating because I had never noticed how bad my short-term memory really is. We always said that “I should have been a blonde!” but now I know how much my short-term memory affects my life.

Looking back, we always blamed it on test anxiety, but now it makes so much sense as to why I have had my weaknesses with things such as: school (having to work harder), and lack of confidence in wanting to participate in class discussions. It was really challenging to remember the material for each quiz and test. How I managed to do as well as I have in school is amazing!

I can say all I want that I am strong, and that I have done this all on my own, but I couldn’t have done it without God. He gave me the gifts, discipline and strength to overcome the disabilities this malformation on my brain has caused. He has given me peace to get through what I am facing. Since I made the decision to let Him guide me in this journey, everything has fallen into place perfectly and I know this is God’s plan!