The Brain Scan

This is the electrode cap worn during the scan.

Tuesday was a the big day for the QEEG of my beautiful child's brain.

I quote, "This was the worst thing that has been done to my body."

It's not an easy test.  We washed hair 3 times with a special anti-residue shampoo.  Twenty-seven electrodes place on the head with a thick gel on each to help increase the connection to the electrical firings of the brainwaves.  (Imagine how an already sensitive child deals with 27 spots of goo on their head, in their hair and on their ears.)  A dull needle pressed against the forehead in multiple places to ensure the electrodes make contact with the skin.  One must sit perfectly still,  as the slightest movement of a finger or an eye will add additional brainwaves which will have to be "cleaned up" or removed from the scan for accuracy and yet avoid falling asleep in such a relaxed position.  The hardest part was the firm pressure which was placed on closed eyes to prevent the eyeballs from moving (twitching, or random eye movements or flutters).

The aftermath:  fatigue, a splitting headache, discomfort from the gel and two scabs on the forehead where the blunt needle was pushed repeatedly.

The wonderful perspective, even from my child is that the worst is over.  The Neuro-Feedback visits, which begin tomorrow, should only include one electrode on the ear and one on the scalp somewhere above the forwhead (no more goo necessary) sending out very, very small electrical currents which should not be felt on the scalp.

We know we are in good hands as Dr. Hammond is the leading Neuro-Feedback specialist in the country.  We are so grateful to live within an hours drive of the University of Utah Hospital.

We are so very anxious to speak with the doctor about the results.....but will have to be patient until Monday.