Praying friends,
We got a phone call from the doctor who is in charge of the Epilepsy Unit at Harborview Hospital in Seattle. After consultiong with us and our Pedatric Neurologist in Anchorage, he agrees with us that all the increases in Cassie's seizures as she has been trying new medications (in addition to the 4 meds she has been taking all along) mean that it is time to move forward with plans to have another surgery. The date for this second surgery has been set for May 2nd.
Specific prayers:
1. That between now and May 1st, Gor will continue to give us peace about this
2. That Cassie will be strong. Last time, it was 'easier" because she did not know what to expect. This time, she's going back with much more understanding.
3. Start praying now that she will not be so nautious when she comes out of anesthesisia
4. The plane fare will will be scheduled for Kris and Cassie
5. That we will be able to come up with airfare for me and for all the incedentals (like food) while in Seattle.
6. That we will be able to get a hotel room so we can take turns at the hospital at nights
7. That god will give our oldest daughter, Chelsie, a peace about all this, being seperated from the family.
8. That someone will help us out by staying in our home while we are gone and caring for our dogs.
9. All the other things that will come up!
ACC is giving Kris time off work that she can makeup whenever. But she has no vacation or personal time. I will make whatever arrangements I need with my clients. I do't have a clue how this will work out. But what's new with the way he has cared for us in recent days.
Praises:
1. This decision came about rather quickly once things got rolling yesterday.
2. We don't think there will be as much time in Seattle. Last time Cassie had surgery, it was proceeded by two weeks of observation. I'm hoping a week to 10 days this time.
3. In one sense, the surgery is less complicated (like I can really say that about brian surgery, huh?) Last time, they were concerned about trade offs. Too much cutting here means loss of mobility there, that sort of thing. But this time they are planning on shutting the entire lobe down. With additional results from our Feb trip to Seattle, they are more certain than ever that all of Cassie's vital fuctions have already been re-routed to the other side of her head. This Cerebral Palsy was from birth, after all. So her brain has had alot of time to compensate. But the flip side to the less complicated part is the finality of "turning it off" so to speak.
The last several weeks, indeed, the last month or two has been like a warped version of Bill Murry's Groundhog Day or a great jazz cd stuck on a scratched area and playing some monotonous tone over and over. If Cass stares off into space, like all of us do when we are day dreaming, we immediately assume it;s a seizure. If I'm downstairs and Kris and Cassie are horsing around upstairs, I think the noise I hear is her having a seizure. We hold our breath and listen when Cassie takes a shower.
Finally, our son Tyler said he will come with us to Easter service and breakfast at our church this Sunday. He will also join us for lunch. I wish Chelsie could be here, too!
God is good, all the time!
Gary & Kris
