When our four-year-old daughter Teresa fell asleep with her head on a picnic table one May afternoon, we had no idea that it would lead to a diagnosis of epilepsy and mitochondrial disease. What we had attributed to spring flu was actually her first seizure. Later that same evening, we watched in horror as Teresa collapsed in the driveway with a grand mal seizure.

An early diagnosis of epilepsy and two weeks of controlled seizures led us to believe that the worst was over. But then Teresa began to stare off suddenly for a few seconds at a time, especially after waking in the morning. Soon she began having grand mal seizures again. Teresa was placed on various seizure medications, until things came to a climax when she began to walk wobbly and talk drunkenly. She was admitted to the hospital with dangerously high ammonia levels. Her neurologist, in consultation with Dr. Russ Saneto, recommended that Teresa be immediately air-lifted to Children’s Hospital in Seattle.

Teresa ended up in the care of Dr. Saneto, who was able to put all of the data together and conclude that Teresa had a mitochondrial disorder. She was immediately switched to better seizure medications and given a prescription for a vitamin cocktail. A year and a half later, Teresa’s seizures stopped. Teresa now enjoys an active healthy young adult lifestyle without seizures and few limitations from her mitochondrial dysfunction.

Teresa is now a junior in college studying Communications with a minor in English. She loves to write and is currently editing a futuristic novel she wrote this spring.  She loves musical theater, fitness, reading, and all things “geeky.” She keeps busy by singing, working,  going to school, and playing with her new pup, Penny.

From the very beginning, Children’s Hospital and Dr. Saneto made us feel welcome, comfortable and hopeful. We will always be grateful for the care that Teresa has received and continues to receive at the hands of Dr. Russ Saneto and the people of Seattle Children’s Hospital.

Nick and Brenda Senger