J a k e

J a k e
at the beach in Destin

Jake's story

July 21st was a normal day, as were the days of summer before. Everything was in it's place. School days were approaching and the family was enjoying the last days by the pool, ignored bedtimes and high popsicle counts.

Then July 22, 2008 came....

Jake had his first seizure. I did not recognize it as such. It was not until he had several more of these "little jerks" and bloody noses that I thought this could be seizure activity. We were scheduled to see a neurologist on August 4th, after going through our pediatrician, however we didn't make it that far. I was awakened August 1st, by Jake in a full seizure (6 minutes long)...he started to turn blue so I called 911....

Here begins our journey......

...we were taken by ambulance to the hospital. Checked in. Released. 3 more grand mal seizures after being released. Checked back in. Sent home 3 days later. Another grand mal, this one lasting a whopping 11 minutes and taken by ambulance again. Stayed at Childrens Dallas for a week. Upping meds, changing meds and mixing meds.
Diagnosis: Epilepsy
Cause: Unknown
We have now found, through some absolutely amazing family and extended family, whom I will NEVER be able to thank enough, the wonderful doctors and nurses at Cook Childrens Hospital in Fort Worth, who are continuing to help us through this. We have had another grand last thursday, and are averaging anywhere from 5-30 seizures (jerks, drops, stares) a day. I was to begin back teaching at Apollo, but am having to put that on hold until the seizures are controlled. Jake is not able to go back to school until he is 30 days seizure free. We are still waiting for that ONE day. Please pray for our family and for little Jake. Although this is not the end of the world, it is a huge hurdle we WILL overcome. Pray for courage for Jake, understanding as parents, good doctors and for the right medicines.

Jake's mom, Christine


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Thursday, February 5, 2009

He drinks milk!


It may seem like such a minor thing to most, but Jake is drinking milk!! This is the kid who for all his three years, a cup of chocolate milk was his constant companion! He was happy, chocolate milk, he was sad, chocolate milk, he was going to bed, chocolate milk.

Since this all started in August, the meds. and seizures have altered him so much. He lost his wittiness, his desire, his happiness, and his cravings for...milk.

Today he has been asking for milk.
He even asked to go to bed with milk! His little sippy of milk has always been his "security blanket." To the extent we would simply put a teaspoon of milk in the sippy and he was fine to go to bed.

The milk is just a little spectrum in the symbolism that is milk.
Jake has been making very witty comments again, the first I remember since August. He has a fire back, the first since August, and he wants milk!!! The first time since August!

This road is surely rocky, and I am certain we will see more bumps, humps and curves, but it is certainly fantastic to see the light.

You shall worship the Lord your God, and I will bless your bread and your water; and I will take sickness away from among you.
Exodus 23:25

God Bless~ Christine

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

I know you have heard this before...but you are amazing, the way you are sharing this journey with us all. I am glad the milk craving is back.

Susan

Anonymous said...

Praise be....the little things. We all thought of Jake tonight as we poured our "chockie" milk!!! We love you!

Anonymous said...

sorry it is from Jeff and Julie

Julie said...

I remember when yall came to visit me one summer- those Elmo sippies with the chocolate milk- he would suck it down, I remember the sound it made when he drank- it was such a sweet sweet sound. Emma still drinks from her Elmo sippie!!! Love you so much!

Mrs. Adams said...

And "step by step HE leads you"...amazing how something as insignificant as milk can mean so much!