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


*********************************************************

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

The "husbands perspective"

"I know I am supposed to be strong about things right now, but obviously I am not. I feel the same as your post on the blog. It is really upsetting.

I was going through all of my travel itineraries from last year and ran across the one from San Antonio. Sitting on the pool deck watching the two kids, run, dive, and trying to touch the bottom. Eating dinner at the cowboy place. Everything was perfect that day. My heart is fluttering now as I want to totally break down. Confusion, lack of concentration, and lack of hope is where I sit today.

Sorry for being so negative today. "

I will probably be murdered or divorced for posting this message. This is Matt's prospective after my last blog. He is the silent type who will let anything and everything build inside of him until it hurts so much he can't take it. I am very thankful that he sent me this email message, as I know he needed to release what he is feeling inside.

He tries to keep himself busy, "earning for the family", as all this transpires. We are so thankful for how hard he has been working for us, so thankful for all he has done for us, and so sad for the way he is feeling.

He is our strength! our motivation!
We will get through this.
This is just a ripple in our calm.

I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, "Move from here to there" and it will move.
Matthew 17:20

God Bless~ Christine

After reading my quote again, I am thinking it is actually the inspiration of another blog I read...I will have to research that to be certain.

Faith...without Faith we are nothing.

4 comments:

Mrs. Adams said...

We love you both! It is only human to feel the way you are feeling..it takes bad days to make good days.

Brandy said...

Man, I am speechless and again, have another giant lump in my throat. You guys don't have to be so strong all the time...this is a difficult situation, but you guys can do it. You can handle it. It may not be what you had planned, but you can and will endure. What Matt did is necessary and let him know that YOU both need that release, often rather than seldom. love you guys and can't wait to finally meet that boy of yours. April 4th, bay!

Sarah said...

Hey, you are only human sweet girl. I have to say humor keeps me alive on a daily basis ~ laughing in the face of awful things sometimes is a saving grace...so with that said :

1. Matt reading my book was pricelessly funny.
2. Your son brutally attacking me with a plastic sword to show his luv for Sarah...priceless.

So smile just a little today through those tears..I know you can ! xoxoxo

Anonymous said...

Oh my precious friends.....when I think about your day to day and the toll that this must be taking on you both and Jake I just can't believe this is happening. So I won't use my own words because I have no good ones, but I will rely oh HIS...
"Depend on the Lord and his strength; always go to him for help. Remember the miracles he has done; remember his wonders and his decisions." -Psalm 22:24

"The Lord nurses them when they are sick and eases their pain and discomfort." Psalm 41:3
We Love you!
Julie and Jeff