We have a diagnosis

After 3 solid years of searching for a diagnosis, last Friday, August 19th, genetic testing confirmed that Meredith has Variant Rett Syndrome due to a FOXG1 mutation. It's still settling in since we had pretty much come to terms with the idea that we would never get an answer. It's strange and surreal to think that the hunt is over, but we take great comfort in knowing what we are up against. Today we met with a Rett Syndrome pioneer, Dr. Khwaja, who is the Director of the Rett Clinic at Childrens' Hospital. He confirmed Meredith's diagnosis and told us he thinks in the coming years, it will become known as FOXG1 Syndrome, instead of Variant Rett. The FOXG1 gene was identified in 1994 and only linked to Variant Rett in 2008. Khwaja expects increased focus on FOXG1 as a result of the recent discovery and we hope this provides more information or even treatment for kids with this form of Variant Rett. To give you an idea of it's rarity, Meredith is only the third child Dr. Khwaja has ever diagnosed with a FOXG1 mutation.

With typical Rett Syndrome, kids have a period of normal development and then hit a point where they begin to regress. There are a few different kinds of Variant Rett, but with Congential Rett (meaning from birth) kids never have that period of normal development.

The FOXG1 gene tells the body how to make certain proteins important for brain development and growth and Meredith has a truncated gene. He said Meredith's exact mutation has never before been documented, but from the looks of it she falls into the "moderate to severe" presentation of the syndrome. He gave us a lot of information and the majority of it was actually good! Here are a few of the highlights:
1. NO REGRESSION - woohoo!!!! Meredith should continue on her leisurly path of development and make small gains. She won't lose the skills she has acquired.
2. This is a spontaneous defect that happened in development, so there is no need for Greg or I to be tested and no reason for us to think we passed this along to her.
3. Around the age of 10, many kids see a decrease in seizure activity. In some kids, they go away completely.
4. Walking/moving around is still on Meredith's wish list!! He said the biggest obstacle with FOXG1 kids is the ultra-low muscle tone. But with continued therapies, stander time (and he wants her using a gait trainer), she can make substantial gains in this area. Some kids do eventually learn to walk, but not until very late, age 8 or 9. We were given a script for 2 vitamins that can help with the growth and maintenance of muscle tissues to help with Mer's low tone: L-Carnitine and Ubiquinone. We are excited to get her going on these asap!
5. Nearly all kids are non-verbal. Not great news, but there are so many other forms of communication we can focus on and of all the losses we have mourned with Meredith's development, for some reason this one falls to the bottom of the list. Plus, having a husband who jabbers enough jibberish in the household for 5 three years olds gives us our fill : )
6. Meredith's life expectancy is about 40 years which we've been told should continue to be happy and healthy.
7. He recommended getting another MRI to get a better look at Meredith's brain since her last one was done at 9 months when the brain is still mostly water. This could provide more clues on her overall development moving forward.
8. There is a slight risk as kids get older of developing an irregular heart beat so we repeated an EKG to keep an eye on that. It's actually only documented in typical Rett, but we'll keep an eye on it as a matter of course. If it were to develop, it can be easily treated with medication.

There is amazing research being done right now on Rett and scientists have actually been able to reverse the symptoms in mice. We asked Khwaja if this is something we can be excited about for Meredith even though she has Variant Rett. He said they are working on creating a FOXG1 mouse now : ) We have high hopes for the future discoveries that will be made. Here is a link I found especially fascinating that explains the mouse study. Meredith was also asked to participate in a medical study - readily accepted with a squeak and a giggle - which will help promote additional advancements in the field.

This diagnosis and the appointment today has provided Greg and I much closure when it comes to this journey. We both agreed today that when we came home, we felt as if we had finished a perpetual Iron Man and we could finally sit down. We can move forward with our lives and most importantly continue to provide Meredith every opportunity to thrive, knowing that the gains she makes are hers to keep.

Soul Sisters

Almost exactly a year ago, I was lucky enough to be found online by a mom who had seen Meredith's blog and who's daughter shared many of the same symptoms. We started trading emails and phone calls and quickly learned that our girls had a LOT in common : ) Given Meredith's unique assortment of symptoms, this was really something special. Amy is the first mom I connected with on this journey who's child was going through pretty much the exact same unique experience as ours. Knowing Amy and Mark were out there somewhere was extremely comforting to us - there was another couple somewhere in the world who did understand! As I learned more about their daughter Olivia, I just could not believe all the similarities. We don't exactly live nearby, but close enough so that with a little planning and a road trip on both sides, we thought it would be possible to actually meet. Well we met last Friday in Lancaster, PA and it was truly an amazing experience. To sit and talk with another couple who is going through the exact same complicated journey as we are was just mind blowing and extremely therapeutic. Greg loved the opportunity to talk with another Dad who could relate and both Greg and I truly feel we made some new friends this weekend. We toured Amish Country and spent a few hours at Kitchen Kettle Village in Intercourse, PA. Meredith had her first pony ride care of Chloe the speedy pony. We ate some delicious PA soft pretzels and had a lovely dinner out at the Stockyard Inn. We enjoyed so much every second of our visit with Amy, Mark, Olivia and little sis Emily. Thank you guys for everything...

High Low Base arrives

We are loving Meredith's new wheelchair, the Stingray. She gets buckled in in the morning and wheeled right onto the bus where they lock down the wheels just like a wheelchair. It's crash-tested so it acts as a carseat and wheelchair in one. We also ordered a base so we can pop the chair piece off the wheelchair and snap it onto this base for indoor use. This way we can raise and lower her to the appropriate height for all kinds of activities. It's been very handy and is really easy to use. It's great to have another seating option for her since she's just about outgrown the other infant-style chairs we have. Now we have this and the one you can see in the background, her pink chair made by Perkins.

Field Trip to watch the Patriots Practice

Meredith was fortunate enough to catch a glimpse of Tom Brady on Friday as the team warmed up for the season at Patriot Place. Meredith got her first autograph - Steve Ridley #37! Following practice, the class moved on to see a bubble and music show that was also at Patriot Place that day. I'm told Mer had a blast and loved the music. Greg joined the class for the Patriots part since he was dropping Meredith off late (she had her genetic testing that morning). I think he had as much fun on the field trip as the kids!