From symptoms to diagnosis: Eden's epilepsy story

July 30, 2021, was going to be a special Friday night for Andrea Cudmore and her then four-year-old daughter Eden. It marked a fun milestone - Eden was going to see her first movie in a theatre.

Andrea had planned to load up on popcorn and treats for the occasion, but when they arrived at the theatre, Eden didn't want anything. Halfway through the movie Eden started to complain of a headache and asked to go home. Not thinking much of it at the time, Andrea took Eden home, where she went right to bed.

On August 1, Eden's symptoms worsened. She complained of a headache and began slurring her words. Andrea took her to theirlocal hospital. On the drive, Eden experienced what is believed to be her first seizure, although at the time Andrea didn'trealize what it was.After arriving at the hospital, Eden hadaneurological exam andbloodwork done. They were given an urgent referral to a paediatricianand were sent home. That night, Eden woke up vomiting and had a high fever.

Andrea rushed her to The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids), where she was admitted. Following a series of tests, including an MRI that showed a cavernoma - a cluster of abnormal blood vessels - in her left temporal lobe, Dr. Jim Dowling, PaediatricNeurologist and Senior Scientist in the Genetics & Genome Biology program at SickKids, diagnosed Eden with epilepsy.Eden startedon seizure medication, which she continues to take today. She continues to be closely monitoredby SickKids staff, although her visits to the hospital have come less frequent.

"Eden loves seeing her doctors and nurses and we've made it to the point where her visits have become enjoyable," says Andrea.