Monday 12 December 2011

Jake joining competetive swim team?!!??!

We had a third neurologist appointment today, and Jake had his 3rd Evoke Potential Test, the last of which was done in June 2011.  The first one was done in March 2011 (about 1 year and 7 months after his first concussion) and showed he had a 20% "slowing of his brain". 
Basically it is a test where electrodes are attached to his head in a darkened room, where he has to look at a red dot on a red and white checkered screen for about 3 minutes, with one eye covered alternately.  The test measures his brain's reaction time to the changes on the screen, as the checkers alternate red to white.  Laymen's terms of course, I am sure a neurologist would explain it differently  But this is how I see it as I watch it being done.  The results are a graph showing the two different reaction times for each side of his brain.  There are a bunch of numbers to one side, where some are more meaningful than others.  The important ones should be at around the 100 level.  Jake's have been fluctuating between 107 and 128.  Last time, he presented with a 10% slowing, but today's did not show any improvement, in fact it looked more like the first one, with what looked more like the 20% again.

UGH!  So what does this mean?  Well, the neuro did ask if Jake had hit his head since the last one.  Not a good question!!!  (Of course he has not, but I guess the lack of improvement warrented the question!)

Basically it was suggested that Jake avoid "youtube" watching on his Ipod, (which he does tend to do in the mornings and before he goes to sleep), find another physical activity to de-stress and watch movies that make his brain think, with a beginning and an end (unfortunately, Jackass and Hot Rod do not fall into this category!)  I get it, it makes sense to me. 
However, then the suggested activity somehow turned to competitive swimming, so while the doctor was going on somewhat of a tangent about the benefits of competetive swimming, and the physical demands put on the swimmers as they go to meets in an organized manner, etc etc....Jake started rolling his eyes....we lost him... 
And I have to admit, while it makes sense to me, I kept picturing Jake in a Speedo, shivering while waiting his turn to compete in the chaos.  Nope, we will have to look into other alternative activities for Jake.  He will not be shaving his legs for speed any time soon!

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