Info About Zeke

If you are like me, you may have a lot of questions about what Zeke actually has and how it differs from other types of seizures. I found this video and I thought it was very helpful. I can't actually put in on our blog but this is the link where you can view it:
http://www.epilepsy.com/node/976294

It is quite long and the first 2 1/2 minutes or so is just a lady introducing this doctor. If you don't want to watch the whole video the most interesting part is towards the end - start the video at about 28 min. 45 sec.
The first video clip of the infant looks exactly like what Zeke does when sleeping except it usually involves his arm or hands as well. They aren't as dramatic as the other types since he only has focal or partial (a specific part of the brain) that seizures.

There are a lot of other videos on this website but I thought this one was the most helpful in understanding the differences between seizures and seeing actual video of the different types.

I've been trying to find out as much as I can so when we go back to the doctor I might have a clue to what they are talking about. I didn't know much about it when we initially went in. We just upped the dose of his medication today and are possibly seeing some bad side effects. He's been pretty irritable since we started the medication but today was pretty bad. We had quite the temper tantrum/rage today at the park. It's really hard to know what is just bad behavior and what is related to the medicine. He really isn't acting like himself. Hopefully his body will adjust to it or we may have to call the doctor and see what we can do. We appreciate all your prayers. I know all of you are concerned for him and I thought this info might help.

Beaches, Animals and Loosing Teeth!

We had a really fun day together as a family on Nick's day off. Savannah has a zoo of sorts that you walk through and can see some of the animals that live in this area (alligators, fox, etc.). It was fun but rather tiring.

Since we were over in that area we decided to take the kids too the Tybee beach. It was nice 'cause it was at the end of the day and wasn't too hot. The boys really enjoyed the waves and getting very sandy. They didn't like the salt water, however, and would come over to our towels and get a drink quite regularly to get the taste out of their mouth. AJ liked to eat the sand but did NOT like the water, it scared her. She was also really tired so that didn't help. It was a fun day!

Then today after lunch Bryson said he had a loose tooth. Well, sure enough he lost his very first tooth today. He said it was because he was almost in Kindergarten. How sad, he is really growing up!

Old Giants

As many of you know, we got the results of Zeke's tests on Tuesday. If you don't know already, his EEG indicated he has a form of epilepsy, where as far as we know, he's having partial seizures while sleeping. There is a good chance he will grow out of this in time and if his medicine works, it should make his headaches go away.

We are very thankful to have some answers but are slightly overwhelmed. On the day we found this out we had some other "giants" come back. Sometimes when you have something happen to you it's hard to process all of it. I "forced" myself to do my devotions that day and God spoke to me about the very issue we were going through. It was in II Samuel 21:15-22; David was promised the throne but had one last "old enemy" to fight - the Philistines. In my devotional by Beth Moore she says, "Few things make us want to flee more than the prospect of an old battle...Have you ever noticed that Satan always chooses just the right time to haunt you through an old enemy? When you haven't had enough rest, when things have been emotional and turbulent, when you've been swinging from one extreme to the other, when you're completely vulnerable - that's when the enemy strikes."

David was weary fighting these old giants as I was. Satan was attacking at just the right moment and it was hard. I'm glad to know the victory was already mine even though I don't understand how it's all going to work out - I know he does.

We appreciate all of your prayers for Zeke. I'm also comforted to know that His grace is sufficient for all of us and I trust Him completely.

Our New "Micromobile" and Other Fun Stuff....

Nick and I bought our first ever brand-new car. It's already been nicknamed "Micromobile" because one of it's classifications is a micro van. It is a pearl white Mazda 5 that had 2 miles on it when we drove it off the lot!! It's so weird for us but very cool. We feel relieved getting rid of our gas guzzling SUV, which was nice but this car will save us A LOT in gas.

Tammie left today after staying with us for over a week for the whitewater rafting and testing for Zeke. We had a really good time with her. While she was here we went to the mall and went to Gymboree. They were handing out little coupons that you peel off and see what you won (usually a % off whatever you purchased). Well, Tammie was the lucky winner of a $500 shopping spree which she graciously gave to us. These are some pictures of the kids in their new "free" clothes :)!

What a Trip!!!

During the school year with the youth group, we put on a competition that they participate in which rewards them through the year.  I grew up doing this in my youth group and remember that at the end of the year, there was a winner's trip.  Usually ours was to Chicago.  Well, we have been doing that hear in my youth group and it was a good year.  Many more things to perfect for next year, but it was really good.  The whole intention of our program here at RBTYG is that it helps build spiritual habits before anything else.  We have seen good things from that.  But as they do different things for the year, all their points add up and at the end of the school year we tally them up and the winning team goes on an all expense paid trip.  WE HAD AN AWESOME TRIP.  We took the winning team on a Whitewater rafting trip in Copperhill TN.  It was a packed trip, from Rafting the Nantahala and the Ocoee river, then horseback riding and doing a High Ropes Course and Low Ropes Course.  It was such a great time to spend with those teens and I am looking forward to this next years incentive program