Sleepwalking can occur in the daytime which is a lesson our family learned the hard way three years ago. Amanda sat down on the couch one morning and slipped into a sleepwalking state. Drs speculate she dozed off or had a small seizure. She then walked out of our home and into the woods. She remembers nothing from the time she sat on the couch until she was woken by the noise of a search and rescue helicopter nine hours later.
While it would be less frightening to us to believe she just made a mistake as an inexperienced driver, there is some evidence that the sleepwalking/seizures could have contributed to the accident. Clint and I have been praying something would disprove our concern. Instead, what we have learned has concerned us more. That, linked with the timing of the accident and things I observed that morning, has to be investigated.
This will not be fun for Amanda. She is going to have to undergo seizure testing again. Depending on the test results, it could change her life radically. We broke the news to her yesterday. She grew very quiet which is her way when she is upset and afraid. We absolutely hated to burden this sweet child with anything else right now.
Our responsibility as parents demands we explore what has been revealed. Clint and I see how this accident might be God's way of alerting us to a larger issue. We thank Him for the opportunity. God has been and continues to be very good to us.
Amanda has had testing previously, but no seizures were apparent. The thing about the testing is this: It can only find seizures if they are triggered, but it can't rule them out if they don't happen during the test. They are very expensive, and a negative test isn't conclusive.
Please keep her, her doctors, and the testing she will endure in prayer as we go forward. Ultimately, we hope there isn't any seizure activity so her life can resume as normal, but if there is something to be found, we certainly want to find it. When you pray for us, remember to rejoice with us. As a fireman said "It's a miracle she's alive."
"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." ~ Jeremiah 29:11-13
