Autonomic Nervous System

It is amazing to think how wonderfully and fearfully we are made. Macayla's recent symptoms has educated us on part of the nervous system we have never given much thought to. Really, we don't put any thought into this in our own bodies. The autonomic nervous system works "autonomously" to control our bowels, bladder, blood vessels, stomach, etc. The signals just go on their own without us having to think about it.

For many months now, Macayla has had spells where her face would become beat-red or deathly pale regardless of her temperature. Her bladder function has often been sporadic. Over the past week, she has had spasms in her abdomen and swelling in her feet and hands as well as vomiting. Our neurologist had us draw blood yesterday to check her Depakote levels and amylase to check for pancreatitis (a side effect of Depakote, also known as Depakene or valproic acid). Her levels were normal and her Depakote was not even high enough to be therapeutic. So, it needs to be increased.

So, now our best guess is that her symptoms stem from the autonomic nervous system not functioning as well. It would explain why her bladder functions fine for weeks then suddenly stops for a day or two. It would explain the color change in her face as this system can constrict or dilate the blood vessels there. It is this system that makes us blush. It would explain the swelling in her feet as signals are not making it through to move fluid around properly. The amazing thing about this system is that the signals sent from our brain travel part of the way via nerve pathways and part of the way through chemical mediators. The type of action stimulated by this system depends on which chemical is used. One chemical causes blood vessels to constrict while another causes the vessels to dilate. One cause the bladder to contract while the other inhibits the bladder. When these chemicals are out of balance, problems start. The system is controlled mostly by the hypothalamus which is near the brain stem. If there is a problem in the hypothalamus, obviously there will be problems in the system. It is a wonder any of us function properly. In fact, I think it is a miracle.

But the sadness here is that if Macayla's autonomic nervous system is being impacted, then the deterioration is reaching her brain stem and the nerve pathways to these basic functions. It means her heart and lungs can be impacted. It means she may have symptoms such as vomiting for which there will be nothing we can do to bring comfort. It means we are facing what we dread.

But we know that the God who could create the amazing bodies he gave us has a plan. He will weave our lives and decisions into that plan. He will not allow Macayla's life to be wasted. He will heal her of these things, either while she is with us or when she is with Him. That's what this weekend is all about. Christ defeated death and sin at the cross and tomb. Now we truly only have to walk through the valley of the SHADOW of death and not the valley of death itself. He has promised, when this amazing plan of His is complete, that those who belong to Him will see the full victory. Even death's shadow will be destroyed by the light, love and life of Christ. This same God has promised to hold our daughter in His hands. Thanks be to God!