June 19, 2012
Dear family and friends:
So many of you have so graciously asked me for info about what is going on with Chris and his brain mapping, that I thought I would share some recent developments.
First of all, there is not much to report on the brain mapping front, with regards to moving forward to surgery. Two appointments to be admitted to the hospital have now come and gone, January 10th and May 31st, and both have been canceled because the radioactive isotope needed for the next test (SPECT or Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography) is unavailable and currently out of production. There is FDA red tape involved, so that's another very long story. Suffice it to say Chris can not move forward until he has this test, which we are told is 90%+ accurate for mapping seizure focus. Since his seizures are coming from the frontal lobe, and they suspect very near his speech center, there will be no talk of resection surgery until they are absolutely sure the focus is in an operable location. So, we wait.
In the meantime, Chris has been stable on his meds and hasn't had a seizure (that we know of - they are nocturnal, after all) for several months! Dr. Sutherling is very happy about that! The med side effects are just a daily fact of life, and one of the reasons Chris would one day like to have surgery and at least be on a lower dose. For now, the doctor's instructions to Chris were to "get on with life." It could be several months before the isotope becomes available and he can be admitted for the next test.
In another development, Chris has been blessed with a gift that we could not have guessed would have had such a great impact. A friend contacted me several weeks ago, saying God told her to give one of her Golden Retriever puppies to Chris "for his recovery and healing." Wow! I was speechless - and let me tell you, that sweet puppy has given Chris what we could not = a vision for his future. I heard him tell more than one friend, "this dog is going to see me through the next 14 years of my life... he's going to be with me when I graduate from college and get married, and he'll play with my kids!" I still get choked up remembering his words. The other day Chris said to me, "mom, this puppy is the BEST thing that's happened to me in a very long time!" They truly are best buds, and Samson wants to go with Chris everywhere. I am so grateful to this sweet friend for hearing God's voice and providing such an incredible blessing!
For now, Chris has survived the first big wave of layoffs at our local supermarket, and that job has truly been great for Chris. He's been there more than 2 years now and really enjoys his co-workers. He has also recently started an internship with a startup company of college grads who are working very hard to build a promotion and marketing company, which is very exciting for Chris, and exactly the area he is very interested in. He may even get paid one day! In the meantime, he is learning so much, and as assistant to one of the partners - he is BUSY - which I'm grateful for.
As far as the future, it's so hard to make plans when Chris could get called up at any time to spend a week in the hospital for the SPECT test. His leave of absence at his university has ended, but going to classes full time would still be very difficult for him, given the side effects of his meds he is dealing with. Perhaps a class or two at the community college will be in the plan for this fall.
So, I'm happy to report that Chris is doing well right now. This process has turned out to be a much longer journey than we ever thought it would be -- and filled with uncertainties and waiting. We actually thought he would be in the recovery process after surgery right now. But God has other plans, and since HE knows the big picture, we are trusting that God's timing for everything will be just right, and that someday we will see the reason for the delays.
Your prayers, as always, are so appreciated. Take care, all, and have a wonderful summer!
With love and appreciation,
~ me ~
'For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11
No comments:
Post a Comment