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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Sunday, October 11, 2009

WISH 100- Ink Party





Last Friday before we headed for the beach, we attended the Make a Wish event, WISH 100.

It is a fundraiser to raise money to send kids on their wish. The benefit kicks off with the Ink Party. This is a time of dinner and fun, meeting wish kids, meeting sponsors, eating, drinking and having basically having a good time . The best part? It is called the ink party for a specific reason. the wish kids get to "ink" their their team's legs for the bike ride the following day!

Ink their legs with Sharpies! Jake and Addison had a blast being able to actually write on something besides paper.

Jake still doesn't believe it in this picture. he is asking the victim, if it is really ok!

However, he soon got the hang of it and could not be stopped!Here is Addison getting in on the fun. This picture is Jake's team captain's leg in the beginning stages.Jake's team actaully was the top money raiser! He got to go up on stage while they were acknowledged for their hard work, raising so much money for such a great cause! He, of course, thought he was a rock star! He hammed it up and certainly won the hearts of the crowd. I am surprised I was able to even get a shot of this touching moment, as I couldn't stop wiping the tears away. How did we get here? To qualify for a wish? never in my wildest dreams, or worst nightmares rather, did I ever think this would "happen to us." However, we are here and doing soo much better than we have been. I pray that this good streak continues! Jake is still a bit toxic, as his Depokote levels are still on the high side. Therefore, I have so much fear in lowering the medicine again. I do love the fact he is a bit less clumsy and seems to be able to think clearer, after lowering it the last two times. Jake's heart was stolen by these two lovely ladies! He is certainly smitten by them. Not only because they are as pretty as they are, but I think he may know they are the ones helping him make his wish come true!;) Christine and Kristen are Jake's volunteers for Make a Wish. He met with them back in July to tell them his special wish of surfing like Scooby Doo and swimming with dolphins. He has yet to quit talking about them!

Jake was able to meet other wish kids. This is the group that attended the event. Notice Jake is the only one wearing his t-shirt? He wants to wear it EVERYDAY! He loves it and calls it his special wish shirt!
Unfortunately, we were unable to make it to the actual ride and after party the next day, as we left super early the next day to start our beach vacation.
It is so amazing to me, the efforts people will give to make another happy.
We are so blessed to have a team sponsor Jake's wish.
So blessed to meet the kind hearted people that give their time to make Jake's wish special.
And so blessed, that the Beast has decided to back off , at least for now.
Jake is a fighter and is hopefully kicking his butt so hard that he won't want to show his stinkin' face again!
"For today and it's blessings, I owe the world an attitude of gratitude."
God Bless~ Christine
search for my kiddos using the name peters528. You can vote once a day!


















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3 comments:

Fawn said...

We're rooting for Jake, too! So glad things are better right now!

Julie said...

Ugh- seeing those pics of the party- truly amazing!!! I am going to vote every day!!!

Brandy said...

awesome awesome! How does Jake's team get put together, like the team captain guy? Could we have raised money for it? We, meaning me??!!!