Dear Praying Friends,
The "Plunk" has been found!
This morning at about 7 am, Cassie had a seizure that provided
the "missing key" as far as the originating location of her
"screaming seizures". Actually, it was a confirmation of
something they had seen earlier in the week. Her surgery is on
for Tuesday, sometime after 8 am. The operation will last 4
hours, but it will be about 7 hours from the time they wheel her
out to prep for the OR until we actually see her again in Neuro
ICU.
There are two locations where they will focus for the surgery.
The first is in the left temporal area, behind and above the left
temple. This area is where the seizures that cause Cassie to
"zone out" and stare. In addition, they have determined that
there is a second type of seizure that originates here. But this
is one that Cassie doesn't even know she is having, but it shows
up on the EEG.
In terms of function, the largest factor to be concerned with
here is Cassie's peripheral vision on her right side. This is
where this is controlled. This area is where many epilepsy
patients have seizures, and they are very confident that there
will be little detriment to Cassie here, except for the slight
possibility that she may lose more peripheral vision.
The second area is on the top of her head, on the left side, near
the dividing line between left and right. This is where the
"plunk" originated for the severe screaming seizures. Here's
where we need to say "Thank you God, for the physicians wisdom"
and then get on our knees and pray. This area also controls
feeling in the lower right leg. Although she already has limited
mobility on her right side, removing brain tissue here MIGHT
decrease that even further. Cassie was in on all this explanation
from the docs and we understand that removing tissue here might
result in some sort of "trade off." But these are the most severe
seizures and this is what we came, more than anything else, to
get rid of. But there are some very very specific areas you can
pray:
1. Cassie will be fully anesthetized, so there is no danger of
her moving. But she will only be partially medicated in terms of
anti-seizure medication. They actually want to see seizure
activity when they gain access to her brain. Then, they can
further determine the possibility of decreased mobility in her
right leg, and zero in by getting on the underside of some of the
brain folds to test for activity. Pray that God will just
overwhelm them with all the information they need to make the
best choices.
2. Cassie will be in ICU for at least 24 hours following this
surgery, possibly longer. When she comes to she may notice a
change in her eyesight and problems moving her right leg
(temporary problems if this area was not effected, more permanent
if it was.) Pray that we will be able to deal with whatever
changes come.
3. Remember from an earlier e-mail that a complete success means
the total stopping of all seizures. The odds were 50/50 and now
they might even be a bit less given the complexity of the
situation (My estimation, not yet confirmed by the doc.) But
listen to me - - - talking about odds! You and I know that our
God beats all odds and we are praying that God will grant us this
request. We really want Cassie to come out of this totally
seizure free with no trade offs.
On a lighter side of this day's events, we had a friend all the
way from our former home of Warsaw, Indiana come and visit.
Terry Polston has been a DARE Officer with the city's police
department for many years. He had a very positive influence on
all our kids. After we moved from Indiana to Alaska, Cassie and
Chelsie stayed in touch with OP (Officer Polston). When he heard
Cassie was going to be in Seattle for Surgery, he determined to
figure out a way to get here and, thanks to some generous people
and companies back in Warsaw, he was able to raise the funds he
needed to come visit. Terry is a dear brother who loves the Lord.
Cassie was not told he was coming until about 3 AM Monday
morning. Kris told her in an effort to encourage her during a
pretty rough night. Then, a TV station back in South Bend
Indiana got word of this trip and contacted a local Seattle
affiliate, who came by and interviewed OP, Cassie and Kris. This
will be airing on the South Bend Affiliate some time in the next
few days. If someone in that area could find out when, and
possibly tape the interview for us, we would really appreciate
it.
Some friends back from Soldotna, Alaska also came by and visited
and brought Cassie a Christmas card and gift. They have family
here in Washington and were also here on business, so they
decided to take a few hours out of their schedule and drop in!
It was cool.
In addition, we brought Fred the Dancing bear into the room. Push
his foot and me sings "Singing in the rain." This was from
special friends in Anchorage.
All this only worked because it was a few hours after the plunk
was discovered and Cassie was medicated and OK with it all.
Otherwise, we would not have allowed it. What would have been
unthinkable just yesterday, all of the sudden was OK today as we
sort of "celebrated" the plunk.
But tonight, as we come out of one phase and into another, we are
all dealing as best we know how. We will get word out just as
soon as we can. We're not sure where Cassie will be after the
time in ICU following surgery, so it would be best, if you call,
to call the main hospital number, 206-731-3000. But if you can,
wait for me to send another e-mail out Tuesday night.
We have definitely registered on Harborview's Hospital's radar
screen, so to speak. E-mails from all around the world. Cards and
gifts, friends, and Pastor Ray the Strawberry shake guy! But
you know, we don't have to do that to get God's attention do we?
All I have had to do over and over and over this week is gain
access to Him is drop on my knees, or bow my head or grasp my
daughter's hand and cry. He always hears, and He always cares.
Praise the Lord.
Gary Harris
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Alaska Christian College, www.akcc.org
35109 Royal Place
Soldotna, Alaska 99669
Cell 907-252-1574
