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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Friday, November 13, 2009

Staples and seizures!

This has been a wild and crazy week! Jake got to bring home Mo, the class pet. It was great fun watching the kids interact with Mo. Jake even got to show what a great role model he could be. We ventured into Gap one afternoon. This sort of errand is usually nothing less than a MAJOR beating. Kids running, shoes flying, clothes falling....major beating to say the least! This particular afternoon, I gave Jake the job of showing Mo how to act. That had to have been the best Mommy -Idea I have ever had! Shopping was actually peaceful, as Mo and Jake sat by a wall and counted bananas, or whatever it is that monkeys and boys do together. I didn't actually care what they were doing, because I knew I didn't see them running or hear them yelling!

Mo went to the park with us,
and even got to take a trip to the ER.

Jake once again found himself with a laceration. He apparently go into a fight with a wall, while trying to wash his hands at school. However, this time it was not in the usual spot, the chin. Now it was the side of his head. So stitches wouldn't do the job, we had to call in the big guns...Staples! I think he is trying to make sure we are always on our toes!

Jake and Mo were troopers. neither of them shed one tear or even flinched as the staple gun pierced into his head. I can't say the same thing for me.:-)



;

Jake apparently loved the experience so much that he was most upset when I told him we were done and it was time to go. The twerp wanted to spend the night!

The good news?! I am assured that he fell, simply from the grace his mommy gave him and this was not a seizure!


The bad news? Jake has been having many seizures during the night, Or nocturnal tc's. They are not lon genough to even use rescue meds, but long enough and plentiful enough, that I once again drag him into our bed late at night, as to get a better nights rest. As opposed to running down to his room, when the monitor emits even the faintest of sounds.

Please pray that these seizures stay hidden at night and that this is not the sign of the damn beast trying to rob our house again.
Be content with what you have, for God has said, "Never
will I leave you; never will I forsake you." So say with
confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid."


- Hebrews 13:5,6

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