Almost twelve months after we sent Lauren’s medical history to the ULF in the States, we finally received their review. They immediately dismissed PMD as a possible diagnosis due to the presence of the calcification in her basal ganglia. They then suggested Lauren might have a condition known as Aicardi-Goutieres Syndrome. It took another five months but eventually tests were done to try to confirm this diagnosis. The test results proved to be negative so still no diagnosis.  It was also suggested that Lauren may have a mitochondrial disorder, but again subsequent tests including a muscle biopsy in June 2000 have ruled this out.

After trying to have a Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy for at least two years, one was eventually performed in conjunction with a brain MRI scan in May, 2000. The MRI showed a significant change in Lauren’s brain. The cerebellum and brain stem had diminished in size. These changes were significant and immediately prompted our neurologist to arrange for tests to be done to determine if these changes were linked to other recognised disorders. Serem tests were done and ruled out any Glycoprotein Deficient Syndrome. A skin biopsy was performed after she showed a poor response to an Electroretinogram  (ERG)  This also proved negative and ruled out Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis (NCL) as a possible diagnosis. These changes in the structure of her brain may account for Lauren’s deterioration over the last couple of years. 

The NMR Spectroscopy has continued to elude us. The test performed in May, 2000 was not able to be analysed due to some problem with incompatible computer hardware and software. Twelve months later another NMR Spectroscopy was ordered. We still don’t know the exact results of the test. We were informed that the myelin that was present in the brain actually appears normal and it was suggested that the damage to Lauren’s brain may be due to a trauma like a stroke. We would like more clarification of these findings. Fortunately the brain MRI done in conjunction with the MRS showed no changes in the appearance of the brain between May, 2000 and June, 2001. 

On  Sunday the 20th of December, 1998 our worst fears were realised. Lauren developed pneumonia. It seemed so sudden, one minute she was well the next minute she was desperately ill. We were devastated when our doctor advised us that we may need to decide whether to ventilate Lauren if her condition worsened. Little did we know that this was the beginning of a long series of hospitalisations for aspiration pneumonia and  respiratory infection. Some of these were to result in Lauren’s admission to the Intensive Care Unit of the Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne. There were many times when we thought we would lose her but she has proven to be a real battler. In June, 2000 Lauren was transferred to the Royal Children’s Hospital. Her condition worsened during the next week and she was admitted into Intensive Care. While there for twelve days it was shown that she was refluxing her stomach contents. We immediately decided to have a Fundoplication operation, a procedure that wraps the upper part of the stomach around the lower part of the oesophagus thus preventing the stomach contents from rising up into the oesophagus and lungs. The procedure was performed laparoscopically.  

As fate would have it in August, 2001 we met a consulting naturopath at our local pharmacy. This was the first time we had discussed Lauren’s problems with an alternative type of health professional. We had nothing to lose and a lot to gain if we could help Lauren with a fresh approach using complementary preventative herbal medicines and supplements. Herbal preparations were formulated to try and improve Lauren’s immune system in order to make her less susceptible to respiratory and urinary infections. Other dietary supplements were recommended to enhance her nervous system and digestive system. Over the next ten months we monitored and modified these alternative medications. During this period Lauren developed a couple of colds where she was able to cope without being hospitalised and we actually experienced a six month  period without a hospital admission. This was the longest period in over three years without being in hospital. The use of complementary medications in conjunction with the more traditional drugs appeared to have produced some very positive results and we were optimistic that Lauren would benefit with this approach. We are presently not using any complementary preparations

In  September, 2001 while Lauren was in hospital we made contact via Email with Dr. Marjo van der Knaap in Amsterdam asking if she would review Lauren’s scans and medical records in order to provide a diagnosis. Dr. van der Knaap specialises in undiagnosed white matter disorders. She proved to be a delightful person to deal with and was very receptive to our request. Within a relatively short period of time she had reviewed Lauren’s medical history and returned her findings. She was unable to provide a diagnosis but stated that all testing that was possible at this time had been done and that it may simply be a matter of time before medical science is able to provide the answers.