Chloe

This is our Chloe girl.  Isn't she adorable?  She is truly a miracle child.  Chloe was born with Transposition of the Great Arteries (TGA).  This means that through the whole pregnancy she was receiving non-oxygenated blood.  Therefore, her brain didn't grow as well as other children, neither did her organs.  Chloe has had 2 open heart surgeries to fix this (before she lived with us) one of which she endured severe complications that left her with Epilepsy.  She also has Cerebral Palsy, which is most likely from the TGA throughout the pregnancy.  Chloe also has a form of Autism called Pervasive Developmental Disorder - Not otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS).  She also has Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD), Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Obstructive Sleep Apnea and several other medical conditions secondary to complications in surgery.  


Chloe has struggled with seizures her whole life.  For about 6 months when she first moved in we were able to get them under control, then the bottom fell out.  Chloe started having many seizures a day and started having new kinds of seizures almost monthly.  She ended up having about 30-50 seizures a day, 8 different varieties.  She lost so many skills, worst of all, she lost that great spark in her eyes.  Trent and I felt like we were losing our little girl.  We started treating the seizures aggressively and actively researching alternative treatments.  Our neurologist was/is amazing and she helped us in our search for answers.  She directed us to the Minnesota Epilepsy Group and after a long wait we were able to get Chloe started on the Ketogenic Diet.  On July 5 she was admitted to Children's Hospitals and started on the diet.  She was a complete trooper!!  

We were in the hospital for 1 week.  The best part for Chloe was the chance to spend all of that time with her 2 month old baby sister!!  They had some serious bonding time!!  In case you are wondering what is in her hair, this is the EEG monitoring system they used for the week.  

Chloe is now seizure free on the diet - as long as the diet is followed 100% accurately.  We have had a few mishaps and mistakes that have caused a few seizures, but that is even more clarification to us that the diet is working to control them!  Chloe has regained most of her lost skills, gained some new ones and most importantly the spark and life have returned to her.  We are forever thankful to the amazing team of doctors behind helping her, and in turn helping our family!!  


Chloe is in preschool.  She loves school - she wants to go every single day, all day long!!  It makes me so happy to know that she is able to love school, even though she is faced with challenges at every turn.Chloe is complex, frustrating, encouraging, loving and man, when that girl smiles the whole world lights up!