The UCLA Neuro team conferenced yesterday to discuss Leo's case, we talked with them this morning, and we'll be heading to Los Angeles a third time.

What we learned: Leo's weeklong EEG showed seizures coming from the left frontal lobe, which is where the majority of his brain abnormality exists. We can't know for sure if seizures are coming from the left motor cortex, which is just behind the frontal lobe, because the scalp EEG can only detect so deep. There's also abnormality on the right, though seizures aren't currently firing from there.

What happens next: Based on the options UCLA presented, Brian and I are opting for an invasive procedure that will place electrodes on Leo's brain itself, rather than just the scalp, to more precisely locate his seizure sources. The information gathered from this will tell us if a frontal lobectomy (also called a resection) is sufficient or if a full hemispherectomy is needed. Even if it's determined the hemispherectomy is the right course, we'll have peace knowing we made sure the right amount of brain function was preserved.

Both the cranial EEG and surgery — the resection or hemispherectomy — will be on the same trip to LA. We'll slowly wean his meds, fly to LA, have the initial procedure, hopefully quickly gather seizure data within days, then move onto the neurosurgery. The next step is simply getting on the neurosurgeon's OR schedule.

Ideally, we want the resection to be all that's needed. First, it amazingly has almost no downtime compared to a hemispherectomy — maybe two days in the hospital compared to around 10 days of recovery for a hemi. Second, and even more appealingly, it doesn't carry any of the deficits that a hemi does (right-sided weakness, aphasia, vision loss, etc.) because it doesn't include the motor strip. Leo's life is already going to look different, so it's incredible if we can preserve this for him.

There are concerns about a resection controlling seizures long-term or if his right side starts seizing, but we can only deal with what's immediately before us.

What we're feeling now: Mostly positive? We are so, so glad to be home, though of course it isn't smooth sailing; we're parents to three kids. Both of our daughters have had a tough time adjusting to us being back and trusting that we won't immediately leave again. We woke this morning to both of them in our bed, holding our arms tight. Throughout all of this, it's still also our job to provide for and nurture two other kids who are so confused.