Initially we were determined that he needed the Neuropace (a pace maker for the brain to stop seizures before they happen.) We started his medical journey with that goal in mind. However, after the Epilepsy team went over all of his past tests and medical history they have determined a different solution. They believe that there is a localized place in the brain that was not taken out during his first surgery or has developed after his first surgery. They are trying for a seizure free solution and are determined this is the right path for David. At first I absolutely lost it. I thought, there is no way that we are going to go through what David went through at 17...again! Especially now as a Husband and Father. Then as we heard more, met with the neurosurgeon and discussed elaborate details, we felt at peace. We feel like this truly is the right path for David. We are willing to take any opportunity to make him seizure free. His seizure activity has only continued to increase as they are not fully controlled by his medication. He has done every medication (or medication within specific families) under the sun. He has grand mal seizures every 4-6 weeks and auras throughout those 4-6 weeks. Each aura is also a seizure. Each grand mal seizure has truly been heart-wrenching to watch. He is completely out of control of his body, terrified, and unconscious.
Sometimes these seizures happen when we are in our home, out and about, or in the middle of no where stuck in the car. Any place, any time we have tried to look for the positives that come from the situation. There have been many instances where others have helped us, prayed for us, given David a blessing and so forth. We are so appreciative of others!! Also, Heavenly Father's love and protection during this lifelong medical trial has provided us with absolute gratitude! We could not be more thankful for a loving Heavenly Father.
David is continuing to prepare for his brain surgery that is scheduled for mid August. His first surgery will be to open up his skull and place electrodes on the brain. Then they will monitor him for a week to find out the exact location of the seizure activity. If the activity is in the language section, they will stop as soon as they find that out because they cannot risk an operation on the language section of the brain. If the seizure focus is close to the language section they will operate on David while he is awake to make sure his language is still functional. If the localization of seizure activity is anywhere else, they will plan to operate on David. His second surgery will be one week after the first. During the second surgery they will take out the part of the brain that the seizure activity is coming from. They will most likely attach a new piece of skull to his current one and discard the original piece of skull take took off. Then we will hope and pray for a rapid, beautiful, seizure free recovery.
In David's first brain surgery he had a stroke, lost his ability to read and write as well as got an infection that caused him to be on a pic line for months. We are praying with all our might that he can avoid these other problems that may occur due to surgery. He is such a strong, courageous, loving, kind, generous, valiant, and beautiful person. This was not in any way an easy decision to make. We prayed as much as we could until we received an answer. Even after receiving the answer, I prayed to make sure it was right. To come to the conclusion of another brain surgery was very difficult, especially because there are no promises to becoming seizure free. All we are going off of is hope and faith. However, hope and faith is enough for us! We will have a very busy, emotional, hopeful summer and fall as we also have our third baby due on November 6th. Baby number three has been such a blessing to us that even though the timing is crazy, we would not want things any other way.
Whew! Some of my biggest fears about David's surgery were written out in this post. I have learned to open up and it has been so much better. After too many anxiety attacks, I handed everything to the Lord and the biggest weight was lifted off of my shoulders. Thank you Heavenly Father!!! Thank you to so many friends and family that have helped us on this journey thus far. We are forever grateful for you and your kindness. We are prepared for what the future brings and know that we are never alone.
