3 weeks into Topamax; the med, not the clearing!

My little cowboy.
I ran to his side after taking the picture!

It has been very difficult to write since Dante has been having the falling down seizures.  We are currently on week 3 of a new medication, Topamax, and praying non-stop that the seizures will slow down and, hopefully, stop altogether.  So far, they have only increased in frequency, putting everyone who works or lives with Dante on "high alert".  Because he can drop backwards or fall to the side at any moment, we are basically hand-holding him, or standing behind him, whenever he is on his feet.  He is only slightly annoyed to have someone "guarding" him all day long.

At this point in time, we are not using any homeopathic remedy, as we try to gauge the full effect of the new medication.  I am very interested in using a new remedy with Dante, Calcarea Carbonica.  This remedy includes the epilepsy and the developmental delays, among many other characteristics.  I learned about it after we had started the new medication, and our homeopath has been reluctant to add any variables to the mix at this time. 

Happy Birthday, Dante!

Dante's cake, masterfully done by his babysitter, Johanna

My dear son turned eight this past Friday.  He was the happiest little boy and the prince at his school for a day.  I am so happy that was the case, as I think he deserved the most wonderful birthday celebration.  Dante has gone through so many improvements these last few months, and such a rough patch lately, that I deeply wished for a special day that was just about him.  Dante was so excited he got up earlier than usual.  I sang Happy Birthday to him many times and sent the Dr. Seuss book, Happy Birthday to You! in his bookbag with a note for the teacher to read if she had the chance.  Dante's day turned out much better than I would ever had hoped for.  Here’s the note from his teacher: