All 4 Jake: Strollin'

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, April 16, 2010

Strollin'

Wow! The stroll has already come and gone. I feel as if we have been preparing for the big day for months and now it is over...until next year... so for now we can only plan how to make it bigger and better.

Once again, it was an amazing day filled with great friends, new friends, many supporters, and many amazing people.

Not only did our team grow to close to 100 this year, I believe the stroll was a much bigger event as well.

Again, driving up brought a whirlwind of emotions. Not knowing what exactly to expect, who will would see, and simply seeing all the masses of people together for a common cause was so overwhelming.

Again, flashes of last year danced around in my head. As I tried to chat with friends I had not seen in literally years, introduce myself to new friends this beast has blessed me with, and try to pay attention to close friends and family, I could not help but picture last year.

Last year, we had Diastat out and ready, Jake was strapped into a stroller and he was wearing the lovely blue helmet. Now, here he was , just a year later, running, climbing and chatting with friends, family, and teachers.

I could not help but praise God for every minute he has given us with this little boy. Praise him for how much he has helped Jake heal. Praise him for helping our family get through this and Praise him for the support we have been given.

Walking around the grand Dallas zoo last week, you could not walk very far without spotting an "All 4 Jake" tshirt. We were everywhere! We had invaded the zoo! It was so very touching knowing people had come out of the woodworks for our little guy and our family.

What had we done to deserve such a overflow of kindness? Why were all these people there for us?

I still can't wrap my head around the magnitude of support and blessings that have been given to us throughout this ordeal. Witnessing this support first hand, through the wearing of t-shirts, selling of cupcakes, making of ribbons, gathering of donations, prayers, and words of kindness, is simply surreal to me. What have we done to deserve such support?

On top of all this support. ASI gymnastics has graciously offered to host a birthday party for Jake next week. This will be Jake's first "real" party! David Holley, with the Epilepsy foundation and ASI gymnastics, whom I met last year, took it upon himself to provide Jake with his first party in a very padded enviroment! (this very much eases mommy's anxiety!:)) Donations can still be made in Jake's name to the Epilepsy foundation. We would love to raise at least 200 more dollars, the cost of the party.

Thanks you all for all your support! Your presence, whether physical or emotional, meant the World to us!

At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person.
Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us.