The Diagnosis

A popular question is "How was G diagnosed?"  Our story, like many others, wasn't cut and dry. Our journey began on the evening of Christmas Day, 2013.  G was sent to gather her coat before heading home, but didn't return for about 10 minutes. Upon returning, I asked her what took her so long and her answer made my heart sink. "Mom, my head started hurting so bad, I had to lay down on the floor until it quit."  During the 5 minute ride home, I must have set a record for the number of questions asked.  My neuro curriculum from nursing school kicked in and I tried to ask each question in non leading, kid friendly terms.  Each of her answers was a kick in the gut.  How could I have not known about the severe headaches, ear ringing, limb tingling/numbness and dizziness that has been going on for, who knows, how long.   

I came to the conclusion that she needed to be seen ASAP.  So, I watched my clock roll over at 8 am, the day after Christmas and called as soon as the office phones turned on.  G and our pediatrician have had a special bond since our emergency C-Section 7 years ago.  Actually, G has her wrapped around her finger. :)  We are blessed with one of the best pediatricians in our state.  She got us in the same day of calling.  After G's exam and discussing the symptoms that were just discovered, it was apparent that an MRI was needed.  Unknown to me at the time, our pediatrician had a neighbor who was diagnosed with Chiari at age 14.  She secretly suspected this possibility with G's symptoms, and thus pushed for an MRI.

When the MRI was ordered, she specifically asked the radiologist to address whether a Chiari Malformation was present.  She wanted a negative or positive narrative of this particular finding.  When she received the original report, there was no mention of Chiari.  Neither affirming or denying the presence.  This prompted her to send the imaging off to a neuro-radiologist at the closest children's hospital. The result was the finding of a 21mm herniation and positive for a Chiari Malformation. We are baffled to this day that such a severe herniation was left off of the original report by the original radiologist.  Professionally speaking, it is unacceptable. But, I digress. 

If we had not had our wonderful pediatrician, we may not have had the MRI so soon, and the Chiari may not have been caught due to the Radiologis'st flub.  I am so thankful for the circumstances to have brought us to a quick diagnosis.  We are much luckier than some, who suffer for years without a diagnosis.