All 4 Jake: Merry Christmas!

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

Friday, December 25, 2009

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

On this very special day, I only want to take a small moment away from my family at the computer (tons of pictures and stories to come , however).

I came across an article this morning in The Dallas Morning News, that was not only eye opening, but also heart opening as well.

As I was throwing the paper in the recycling bin, along with the hundreds of boxes and wrapping paper littering the floor of our adobe, I hesitated. I was certain I would have no time to read the news and just was going to throw it away. However, after a moments hesitation, I decide I would make time to read the periodical.

This article stood out to me, for obvious reasons.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/34584053/ns/health-kids_and_parenting/

As I read it I could only think of how much my family reminded me of the family I was reading about. So normal, so loving, parents to a young crew. However, there are some very obvious differences.

As I finished the article on this Christmas Day with Jake playing only feet away from me, it hit me! Not only am I blessed a million times over, but I am also probably not even near as grateful for this life as I should be (are any of us?).

I have anxiety because our baby has seizures, sometimes hundreds a day. I stress over the hurt it causes Addi, watching her little brother take drugs every day, struggle with everyday activities, and being shuttled around herself. I worry that they will never go away and that people look at him differently because of them. I struggle with making the right decisions medically for my child and his brain. and most of all I want to badly to make them go away.

But when it comes down to it, I have him.

I may have to put a diaper on him, have him sleep with us, watch him struggle with numerous educational tests to ensure he is getting the best education possible for his special needs, and alter our daily lives to accommodate him, but we have him. I can hold him, help him to the restroom, dry his tears,wipe his drool, and guide him through life's obstacles.

It was a joy watching our two kids light up with the joy and excitement , that is Christmas and the birth of our Savior.

For this I am blessed.

I have them!

For this I am Blessed, indeed!

"When the star in the sky is gone, When the Kings and Princes are home. When the sheperds are back with ther flocks, The work of Christmas begins: To find the lost, To hel the broken, To feed the hugry, To release the prisoner, To teach the nations, To bring Christ to all, To make music n the heart."
~Howard Thurman, The Work of Christmas