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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It's TAKS testing time here in Texas, which means little time for me to post , as I try to get tests in order for all my students and meanwhile try to prepare for the test itself. Novel thought, being a teacher and actually teaching.
Because, it is such a busy time of year, it is difficult for me to keep up with blogging. So here goes a quick update.
Jake will be going back to Cook's next Wed. He will be admitted for 3-4 days for another round of steroids. The hope is to once again try and kick some Epilepsy butt, and make these darn nocturnal tc's away!
While I am comfortable with where we are and our daily living. There is certainly room for improvement. Jake is still having 2-5 nocturnal tc's a day. Just when I think things are great and he won't have ANY for a couple days, they will come back longer and more intense.
Therefore, we are going to try and beat this beast down, so he and his little friends will not come back!
Wish us luck!
We have our game face on and will show no mercy!
Never give in.. never, never, never, never, in nothing great or small, large or petty, never give in except to convictions of honour and good sense. Never yield to force.. never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy.
Winston Churchill
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