Our oldest son Nick is scheduled for his first brain surgery July 7. For those of you that don’t know, Nick started having seizures for no apparent reason when he was around 11 years old. I laugh now when I think back to our first ambulance ride to the hospital, and how the doctors told us our son just had a night terror. How I wish they were right. It has been years of seizures, different meds, doctors appointments, and heartache for all of us that love him. A few years ago, Nick could have 50 small seizures a day, now he is just having the big ones, which wipe him out both physically and emotionally. He has become a recluse rarely leaving the house. I thank god for our baby girls, his little sisters, which give him a reason to smile, a reason to play, and I hope live. They are all over him when he shows his charming and sometimes grouchy face downstairs. Last week Ya Ya fed him cashews until he almost puked, and just today Jie Ling called him a poopy butt in response to him calling her a monkey. The two of them went round and round. The little girls adore their brother, I just wish he could find that value in himself.
His surgery will be in two stages. First, he will have electrodes placed directly on his brain and we will wait for seizures. The electrodes can only be in place for up to two weeks because of the risk of infection. When they have captured enough seizures (pray for this to happen quickly and safely) and they aren’t coming from critical areas (their concern is they are coming from his speech area in his left frontal lobe) then they will proceed with the second surgery. When they go in to remove the grids they will resect the part of his brain causing the seizures, and then put him back together. I’m not sure how long he will remain in the hospital if they are able to do the resection, and I have a lot of other questions I need to start writing down before his pre-op appointment July 2.
The chances of him becoming seizure free are not great. Frontal lobe surgery for seizures is not as successful as temporal lobe surgery which has a very high percentage of success. Nick fully understands the risks and is willing to move forward. Nick is very bright and has made this decision on his own. He knows he has our total love and support, and he wants to try whatever is possible to get better.
That’s it. The conversation was over back on May 21 when we met with the surgeon. Nick chooses not to discuss it, and does not care to hear about it, so we have not said a word since that day. How I wish I could hold my baby boy and tell him it will be alright, how I wish we could discuss his fears and anxieties, but he won’t allow it. He is trying so hard to be a man and it kills me, but I have to respect who he is. He is a beautiful boy.
So that was the head update, and now for the foot update. I so do not want to see Ya Ya lose her foot. Unfortunately this big foot cannot wait. We see the dr. June 20th. Finding shoes to accommodate her is becoming a problem. Nordstrom is the only place that will sell different sized shoes and this second pair I just bought her (which entails trying on lots of shoes!) are uncomfortable for her. This summer is going to be a problem if we can’t find something to put on her feet. I bought a pair of crocs for her but even those are too tight for her fat foot, it's pretty comical trying to cram her foot in it, reminds me of Cinderalla's step sisters trying to cram their foot in that glass slipper. Poor Ya Ya.
Okay I’m tired of all this depressing stuff, life really isn't so bad!!
Besides a couple of impending surgeries, the kids are doing great! Brianna is getting ready to go to Ethiopia to volunteer for AAI and I couldn’t be more proud of her! She’s been working extra hours to help cover costs. She is a great kid...usually;)
His surgery will be in two stages. First, he will have electrodes placed directly on his brain and we will wait for seizures. The electrodes can only be in place for up to two weeks because of the risk of infection. When they have captured enough seizures (pray for this to happen quickly and safely) and they aren’t coming from critical areas (their concern is they are coming from his speech area in his left frontal lobe) then they will proceed with the second surgery. When they go in to remove the grids they will resect the part of his brain causing the seizures, and then put him back together. I’m not sure how long he will remain in the hospital if they are able to do the resection, and I have a lot of other questions I need to start writing down before his pre-op appointment July 2.
The chances of him becoming seizure free are not great. Frontal lobe surgery for seizures is not as successful as temporal lobe surgery which has a very high percentage of success. Nick fully understands the risks and is willing to move forward. Nick is very bright and has made this decision on his own. He knows he has our total love and support, and he wants to try whatever is possible to get better.
That’s it. The conversation was over back on May 21 when we met with the surgeon. Nick chooses not to discuss it, and does not care to hear about it, so we have not said a word since that day. How I wish I could hold my baby boy and tell him it will be alright, how I wish we could discuss his fears and anxieties, but he won’t allow it. He is trying so hard to be a man and it kills me, but I have to respect who he is. He is a beautiful boy.
So that was the head update, and now for the foot update. I so do not want to see Ya Ya lose her foot. Unfortunately this big foot cannot wait. We see the dr. June 20th. Finding shoes to accommodate her is becoming a problem. Nordstrom is the only place that will sell different sized shoes and this second pair I just bought her (which entails trying on lots of shoes!) are uncomfortable for her. This summer is going to be a problem if we can’t find something to put on her feet. I bought a pair of crocs for her but even those are too tight for her fat foot, it's pretty comical trying to cram her foot in it, reminds me of Cinderalla's step sisters trying to cram their foot in that glass slipper. Poor Ya Ya.
Okay I’m tired of all this depressing stuff, life really isn't so bad!!
Besides a couple of impending surgeries, the kids are doing great! Brianna is getting ready to go to Ethiopia to volunteer for AAI and I couldn’t be more proud of her! She’s been working extra hours to help cover costs. She is a great kid...usually;)
Nick may make the World Championship of Poker after all! He loves the game, and I hope we can arrange something fun before his big day. He can be a big help with the girls when I'm at my witts end. I love him for that.
Aimee is getting ready for her 9th grade dance, and excited to start high school. She has been accepted into a program at her high school to help her prepare for college which is very exciting. Our Jakey boy is the wisest little man around. I miss him being my little guy, but he is growing up. He just loves his brother Nick and understands him so well. Nick and him are extremely close.
Aimee is getting ready for her 9th grade dance, and excited to start high school. She has been accepted into a program at her high school to help her prepare for college which is very exciting. Our Jakey boy is the wisest little man around. I miss him being my little guy, but he is growing up. He just loves his brother Nick and understands him so well. Nick and him are extremely close.
Jie Ling informed me I had a baby in my tummy the other day, and also let me know that my boobs were falling down as I was getting ready for work and running around in my bra. How can you not love kids??
Ya Ya has mastered our baby locks, and now gets into ALL the kitchen cupboards! God has answered Mike's prayers that Ya Ya will be our last child...
Only 7 days left of school, and I couldn’t be happier. I’m thinking about living off of my student loans and taking next year off. I need a break from teaching, and would like to concentrate on my family and finishing my masters somehow.
Only 7 days left of school, and I couldn’t be happier. I’m thinking about living off of my student loans and taking next year off. I need a break from teaching, and would like to concentrate on my family and finishing my masters somehow.
