This is Jane. She's 7 years old. She really likes to sleep at night. So do I, usually, when insomnia doesn't prevent it.We have a challenge ahead. Because of some really bad headache/vomitting episodes lately, Jane is going to have to have an EEG (electroencephalogram) in a week or so.
Because her headaches typically wake her from sleep, she has to have the EEG done while she's sleeping in the neurologist's office.
To be sure she can sleep while we're there, she has to stay up all night the night before.
So I've got to be creative about keeping her up all night without turning it into a wakeful nightmare for the both of us.
Here are my ideas so far. Please contribute more!
--Set up the telescope and look at the moon and stars if the night is clear.
--Bake cupcakes and decorate them.
--Make yeast bread together.
--Take a walk around the neighborhood with flashlights.
--Take a bubble bath.
--Call our friends M & CG in Alaska (finally a chance for the timezones to work FOR us!).
--Someone suggested taking her to Walmart and doing some midnight shopping, and I might do that, but I'm a little afraid of getting reported to child services if no one stops us for an explanation.
Other ideas? It's going to be a long night.
Also, any input on preparing her for the EEG and also an MRI so that nothing catches either of us by surprise or makes the experience scary for her would also be appreciated!
8 comments:
Saw your plea over at moneysavingmom. You could swim if you (or a helpful, fun-loving friend) have a pool. Paint fingernails and toenails. Jump rope. Make something special for breakfast for the rest of the family to enjoy when they wake up. Cool bath. Do some cleaning or sorting together. Crafts of some kind. Do the shopping thing earlier in the night so as to not have any trouble - you'd probably be okay as long as it's before midnight. Or, shop very early in the morning. Sing together - can't sleep while singing or talking. Ride bikes. Can you get an explanation in writing from the Dr. to have on hand to explain to policemen as to why you have her out during the night?
As for the MRI, I've not had one but have been with my small children during an MRI and CAT scans. Really nothing for her to be afraid of. Just kinda noisy. I almost feel asleep during my son's MRI as i was sitting in a chair next to the machine. Letting her know it's okay to sleep during them would be good. You might even find a video of one online if you search. Try it!
Thank you, Donna! That's a lot to add to the list. I want to have as many very fun things to do as possible so that she actually wants to stay up.
I appreciate your willingness to come over and offer suggestions. Thanks!
Awww, BTDT, didn't even get a crummy tshirt. I wandered over here from Pioneer Woman.
We had an all night slumber party, with video games, dancing, cooking, anything to stay awake. It was hard! Going for a walk sounds good. No prep is really necessary for the MRI, unless they want to sedate her for it, which felt funny to my daughter, so warn her in advance about drifting into drug induced sleep! The EEG, however, is a bear. The glue for the leads is the most strong chemical stench ever. Like 2,000 open permanent markers in a closed room bad stench. Also, the glue and the grease pencil they use to mark the spots for the leads is a real trip to get out of your hair. I highly recommend a nice neat ponytail or plain braid - not a french braid, they will destroy that while placing leads. Keep the ponytail at the nape of the neck if possible. The ponytail will eliminate horrible tangles when you begin combing and washing the dried gunk out of the hair. A flea comb wouldn't come amiss. Seriously. That gluey stuff looks like horrid dandruff for days without a fine toothed comb to help evict it! Also, a good gentle face cream (like Oil of Olay) for after the EEG. My daughter had red irritation in the shape of the leads either from the leads themselves or the glue on her forehead and temples. The face cream helped soothe it. I imagine vaseline or aloe would also work.
Good luck to you both. My husband suffers migraines and has been through all kinds of things and of course there is the more relevant experience with my own daughter, though she does all this testing for a seizure disorder. You will be in our prayers...
Wow--Jessie, that is great information. I had no idea the stuff they'd use would be that, potent--either the smell or the stickiness. Thank you!
I'm so glad I asked for input. This is so very helpful.
The MRI is very loud, they will probably give her ear plugs. Also it is a very tight squeeze in the MRI and if she is at all claustrophobic I would definately prep her for that, I just keep my eyes closed the whole time :). In some of the MRI's I have had done they would pipe music in for me, and I could hear it over the sound. You may want to call ahead and ask if you can bring some music she likes to listen too. This has really helped it be a more enjoyable experience for me. Hope all goes well!
-K
I just wanted to pop over and say that my EEGs have been a breeze, no problem.
The MRI on the other hand, brought out anxiety I didn't know I even
had. I don't know about even
bringing it up with a child, at all, because it puts ideas in her head, but I will say - they had
to stop the MRI (I couldn't breathe inside and then they told
me about 25 percent of people have
that same feeling. I don't know
what they do with children if it
happens, and I hope it doesn't, but they gave me an anti-anxiety
drug (Xanax) a low dose, .05 mg.,
then they made me wait 20 mins.
and tried again. I did feel somewhat relaxed, but still I had to work at not wanting to do exactly the same thing - get out of there. As anonymous said, it definitely was clautrophobic in
the MRI machine. I can't imagine anyone stopping you with your daughter in a Walmart. I try and
go there later in the evening /early morning (3 a.m.)
as I cannot stomach all the crowds, and see children there
all the time. I just know that I
would not say anything ahead of time, especially since I did watch
in my 20 mins of waiting, and saw
more than a few people have to stop., so 25 percent - l out of 4.
I truly hope that your daughter
isn't the l, the music idea is
fabulous - but gosh, it seemed like ages before it was over - and
my guess would be 20 mins, maybe ?
Good luck. If the headaches persist/vomiting, go next to the SPECT scan. They are cutting edge.
Up all night will be happening much
more as she becomes a teenager - tell her you're prepping for that:)
Kate
Rebecca,
I did not find my posted comment on
your other blog. Am trying this.
Let me know if you received this.
What I wrote was that I'd love to be a part of your 9/16 marathon of keeping Jane awake. I thought that sometime (you choose) in the early am hours of that morning (for example: 1 am, 2 am, 3 am, etc.) you could bring Jane over for a campfire. We'll fire up the campfire...we can roast marshmallows, watch the stars (we have a telescope), you two could take a half-moon walk in the woods with the dogs...etc. I may not be able to make it down to the fire ring, but maybe we can figure some way to get me down there. Then too, we could fire up the wood-burning stove and do marshmallows... Anyway, I'd love to help you with Jane. (I'm not able to drive the way this foot is (and our automatic transmission vehicle is dead) otherwise I'd go over to your place).
Since I've had 2 MRI's, we could try to duplicate some of the sounds it makes so Jane knows a bit more of what is ahead!!
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