My name is Lisa, and I'm Abby Lee's mom. All money from this campaign is going to her medical bills (over $5500 now) and will ensure she gets the medicines ($350-400/mo) and care she desperately needs. (Actual bills will be posted.) This year has been tough health-wise for Abby Lee and myself. I hate asking for help but this little angel has a good prognosis so long as I can get her the care and meds she needs.

I had a hernia repaired surgically, but either the sutures tore or I had two hernias, and one was missed. I've not been able to work since June. I'm a nurse, and I thank God for those skills because they've really helped w/ Abby. 

Abby Lee's "episodes" began in early Sept., after her 5th birthday.  I saw Abby walking in a tight circle with her head tilted back and mouth wide open (like a baby bird). I have a video of it and will try to upload it. She had this panicked look in her eyes and was breathing very fast, but it wasn't typical panting.

When I picked her up to comfort her, she didn't stop gasping... she got worse! Being a nurse I knew her hyperventilating was disrupting her normal blood gas levels so she would feel dizzy, and that was likely increasing her panic. Then something really abnormal... she went potty right in my arms, and her little tongue started turning blue. Fearing for her life, I rushed her to the large Emergency Hospital where they hospitalized her for a few days in a little oxygen chamber. She and I were terrified.

I don't have children, so my furbabies ARE my babies. I have Abby Lee and a little boy Pekingese who adores his little sister. He and I would snuggle and pray for Abby to come home soon and be well. Abby was evaluated by 3 Internists, a Neurologist, and a Cardiologist. They said Abby's heart is enlarged, she has pulmonary hypertension, a little fluid in her lungs, and seasonal allergies. I asked if her circling episodes could be seizure activity, and every doctor said no. Five days later Abby got to come home with 8 new prescriptions. The ER bill and hospitalization were over $3000. Since then she's been to the ER 1 more time and been hospitalized 2 more times. 

She was put on 9 medications totaling $350-450/mo. (I'll upload photos of her Rxs & other bills soon.) The doctors gave her a good prognosis as long as her conditions responded to the medications, and they all improved except for one...the bizarre circling and gasping. 

In order to help the doctors diagnose these "episodes" I knew I needed to put my nursing hat on ASAP or she was going to die during one or I would need to do the unthinkable (I can't say the word and beg everyone to pls not use it here.)

Instead of holding her when they occurred, I left her on the floor or in her bed to see exactly what was going on. I prayed for wisdom, and I gathered meaningful data.

For instance, I thought she was turning her head to the right in order to better see me when she was in my arms. But actually that movement was involuntary, and so were her mouth being opened wide and the gasping. Neurological symptoms like these pointed to possible seizures! I videoed her and emailed the neurologist, and she agreed to prescribe an antiseizure med. Hope was renewed! I had been praying she could see another Christmas without suffering to do so, and she very well may. Seizures also explained her going potty during some of them. 

Her neurologist said she's having focal-type seizures, which are hard to diagnose and tricky to treat, but they're a lot less traumatic to her body than the more severe grand mal seizures. Keppra was started and withing 24hrs the "episodes" had stopped! The doctors were amazed and thrilled, and my happiness couldn't be contained. A few days later, the seizures returned. 

We live in SC and had to deal with two hurricanes this Fall. Rain causes a drop in barametric pressure which can ignite a seizure, and little Abby Lee is so sensitive to this change she's become a great meteorologist. We're having to just test meds and doses until we find the right one. 

Friday we began phenobarbital. Please pray this works. She had 2 seizures last night, so today I'm making sure she rests well. She's such a fighter! She's determined to beat this, and I'm not giving up on her! I can't. She eats well and still rules her big brother, a pekingese, and has maintained her sassy personality. So until she tells me otherwise, I'm going to be her biggest advocate and do whatever it takes to (even asking for help) to ensure her life is wonderful and long. Thank you for your time and I for helping me to help Abby Lee fight. Would you please share this campaign to your social media sites? It would mean the world to us.  

*Will post medical bills and videos very soon!