Hi friends!
Wanted to update you on a few things. First of all, Mike went about 10 days seizure free after being out of the hospital. The dr had only increased his medication by a small amount and the Durkees thought he might soon have seizures again as his levels were very low in the hospital (46 and the range is 40 - 120). The last two nights Mike has had sleeping seizures - he's been seizing every couple hours and they are lasting longer than normal. BLESSING: they are sleeping seizures and he is not falling AND he has an appt with a headache neurologist tomorrow afternoon who can adjust his meds. All recent tests came back fine, with the exception of a high protein level in Mike's cerebral spinal fluid. It was lower than it was several months ago, and the doctors don't seem concerned about it. BLESSING: all tests for fatal diseases came back negative. Mike has an appointment with a headache neurologist tomorrow, please pray that that seizure meds can be adjusted and he offers suggestions for the debilitating headaches. Between these and the seizures at night, Mike is very tired. Becka has been tired this week, too. She has bronchitis and has laid low all weekend. She has been off work for 2 days. BLESSING: Becka was able to get into the doctor and start on antibiotics the same day. The Durkees have been on the receiving end of much kindness this week. They have received financial gifts, meals and rides to appointments and to pick up medication. They feel blessed by so many! We'll update the blog after the neuro appointment.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Sunday, September 19, 2010
WHEW!!
Well, what a week! What a week for all of the family! This week, both Mike and Ben, Becka's brother, were in the ICU with seizure activity. Becka's brother most likely had a reaction to a medication and had to be sedated twice. He went into acute kidney failure and is currently fighting pneumonia. Ben's kidney values are almost back to where they need to be and he was moved out of ICU today. The family is waiting for results of an MRI and the doctors are keeping an eye on the pneumonia which was caused by Ben aspirating. Ben has been in a delightful mood since waking up, and we are all so very thankful for your continued prayers for his recovery.
Mike's doctor wanted him to go into the hospital to be stabilized. You'll remember four weeks ago Mike started having seizures again. He was averaging one a week until after the spinal tap last Friday. He had about 10 seizures on Sunday and his doctor requested he go to the hospital to be stabilized. He was admitted to the ICU due to the constant seizing and remained there for two days. Becka did constant battle with the physicians while Mike was there due to many follow through issues. Mike's seizure medications were not increased until Wednesday, three days after he was admitted. All bloodwork and tests came back fine - what else is new?? Mike's spinal tap results came back normal with the exception of his protein level which is still elevated. This was also elevated early this spring. No one seems to have an explanation of why that is. Once Mike's medicine was increased, he went 24 hrs seizure free and asked to go home as the hospital told him they had no idea what to do with him - hmmmm, sounds familiar. Mike is happy to be home and Becka is happy to fall asleep next to him. He received quite a welcome from the dogs too! Since Mike has been home he has been seizure free.
The Durkees feel this recent seizure activity, the ongoing questions from the doctors and intense hospitalization was a reminder of how things were, and a question of how many more times this scenario may play out until there are answers to Mike's condition or God chooses to heal Mike. This can be overwhelming to think about. Becka felt very torn this week between work, Mike in the hospital, and her brother in the hospital in NH. The Durkees are hopeful Mike will continue to be seizure free but fearful of how long this road may be before answers or healing takes place.
Their plan is as follows: find a new doctor (hopefully a neuro endocrinologist) to address the endocrine issues, make an appointment with a headache specialist (Mike's headaches have been much more intense since the seizure activity and no medications seem to help), wait for a few more tests on the cerebral spinal fluid (from the spinal tap) and meet with Mike's doctor Monday to discuss what to do from here.
It's an understatement to say the Durkees are overwhelmed with life, but they have been touched by all who have prayed, called, emailed, brought meals, donated money and time and been a constant source of encouragement. May God bless you for being a blessing!
Mike's doctor wanted him to go into the hospital to be stabilized. You'll remember four weeks ago Mike started having seizures again. He was averaging one a week until after the spinal tap last Friday. He had about 10 seizures on Sunday and his doctor requested he go to the hospital to be stabilized. He was admitted to the ICU due to the constant seizing and remained there for two days. Becka did constant battle with the physicians while Mike was there due to many follow through issues. Mike's seizure medications were not increased until Wednesday, three days after he was admitted. All bloodwork and tests came back fine - what else is new?? Mike's spinal tap results came back normal with the exception of his protein level which is still elevated. This was also elevated early this spring. No one seems to have an explanation of why that is. Once Mike's medicine was increased, he went 24 hrs seizure free and asked to go home as the hospital told him they had no idea what to do with him - hmmmm, sounds familiar. Mike is happy to be home and Becka is happy to fall asleep next to him. He received quite a welcome from the dogs too! Since Mike has been home he has been seizure free.
The Durkees feel this recent seizure activity, the ongoing questions from the doctors and intense hospitalization was a reminder of how things were, and a question of how many more times this scenario may play out until there are answers to Mike's condition or God chooses to heal Mike. This can be overwhelming to think about. Becka felt very torn this week between work, Mike in the hospital, and her brother in the hospital in NH. The Durkees are hopeful Mike will continue to be seizure free but fearful of how long this road may be before answers or healing takes place.
Their plan is as follows: find a new doctor (hopefully a neuro endocrinologist) to address the endocrine issues, make an appointment with a headache specialist (Mike's headaches have been much more intense since the seizure activity and no medications seem to help), wait for a few more tests on the cerebral spinal fluid (from the spinal tap) and meet with Mike's doctor Monday to discuss what to do from here.
It's an understatement to say the Durkees are overwhelmed with life, but they have been touched by all who have prayed, called, emailed, brought meals, donated money and time and been a constant source of encouragement. May God bless you for being a blessing!
Saturday, September 11, 2010
THE WAITING GAME
It's been another tough week for the Durkees. Mike has had another seizure and a nonstop headache that he's gotten very little relief from, despite intense pain medication. This has been the worst week for the Durkees since the spring. They are discouraged. Mike feels awful, is on a lot of medication and is barely sleeping. His doctor, a good family friend, ordered a lumbar puncture (or spinal tap), and Mike underwent that this morning. In good news, the radiologist was able to draw the fluid on the first puncture. Mike's last tap was unsuccessful. He was tapped 7 times by 2 radiologists who were unable to draw fluid. Due to the fact the doctors did not have LP information, the one this morning was done for more data (hopefully) and when the results come back, medication will be adjusted once again. The Durkees are hopeful that because Mike was stable for over 2 months, a medication adjustment, or more information from the LP, will grant wisdom to the doctors to stabilize Mike once again. SO, the waiting game begins for results with the hope of more answers and future stability. The Lord's been talking to Becka a lot about resting. In a time that it seems impossible to rest, the Lord has reminded her to "Be still" . . .
Thursday, September 2, 2010
A Reminder of How Things Were . . .
It's been a tough week for the Durkees. After being seizure free since June 29th, Mike fell Saturday night. In addition to falling, his vomiting returned. He has been vomiting off and on at night for over a month now. The last time the endocrinologist treated him for this (with a high dose of steroids), he was instantly better. As soon as he decreased his dosage, the vomiting returned. He can't stay on high doses of steroids (the only treatment for adrenal insufficiency) for long periods of time for obvious reasons. So, Mike is back to vomiting several times a night which leads to little sleep for both Mike and Becka. Mike is also dealing with tremendous headaches that drag on for days, after the fall on Saturday night. It's been a week of reminders of how bad things really got for Mike . . . . and how much progress he has/had made. Time will tell if the lagging intense headaches, seizures and falling will continue, or if this is just a temporary set back.
Mike's MRI came back fine - you'll remember he had one of the pituitary tumor to ensure it hadn't started bleeding or growing. It hasn't. He also had bloodwork done to check all endocrine levels and all levels looked fine with the exception of one and another medication was added to address that insufficiency. He is now on 7 different prescriptions and his medicine levels are being checked frequently due to the fact he is on so many. Endocrin levels have been so unstable in Mike and what the levels show on bloodwork could be different than what his body is actually absorbing. One of his seizure medications metabolizes medications faster and so even though his body registers that he is receiving the supplements, he may not be absorbing them well.
After the fall on Saturday Mike was plagued by an unending intense headache. His primary care suggested he go to the hospital last night to ensure there was no brain bleed after the fall. CT and bloodwork came back fine. They gave Mike pain meds i.v. and sent him home. His headache was held at bay for a few hours, but he was up vomiting all night yet again. It is hard to know if the vomiting is an adrenal issue, a GI issue or a reaction to high doses of medicine. The thought currently is that it is adrenal related, but that is not definite.
The Durkees are pursuing a headache specialist in Cincinnati. Please pray that the right doctor will be found and that there will be relief from these headaches. They are also questioning how many of Mike's ailments are a direct result of the adrenal issues. Every time his levels are checked they are SO different. One time one level is normal, the next it is low and something else is normal that was askew in previous testing. This makes adjusting medication very difficult. The Durkees are also looking into another opinion re: the endocrin issues. You could also pray that a good doctor is identified for this visit. The Durkees would love prayer for a good night's sleep as well. Becka was up late with Mike in the ER and then with the vomiting and then went to teach kids all day - she is tired - they both are. While Mike battles health issues, Becka is working and trying to keep them afloat financially and carry health insurance which they are so thankful for presently. She is sometimes torn between caring for Mike and working out of necessity.
This week has been a reminder of how hard life once was (not too long ago) and a reminder of how much progress Mike has made. We are earnestly asking the Lord that Mike continue to make progress and some of the pieces that remain missing are identified. In the ER last night, the doctor asked about quality of life. She asked how much this was affecting the Durkees. She was a tender heart in the midst of chaos. How is it affecting - it has transformed the Durkees' lives - in some good ways and some very hard ways - but their prayer continues to be that they would learn what God would have them to in all of this. Would you pray that for them also, please? Love to you all for supporting them in so many many ways!
Mike's MRI came back fine - you'll remember he had one of the pituitary tumor to ensure it hadn't started bleeding or growing. It hasn't. He also had bloodwork done to check all endocrine levels and all levels looked fine with the exception of one and another medication was added to address that insufficiency. He is now on 7 different prescriptions and his medicine levels are being checked frequently due to the fact he is on so many. Endocrin levels have been so unstable in Mike and what the levels show on bloodwork could be different than what his body is actually absorbing. One of his seizure medications metabolizes medications faster and so even though his body registers that he is receiving the supplements, he may not be absorbing them well.
After the fall on Saturday Mike was plagued by an unending intense headache. His primary care suggested he go to the hospital last night to ensure there was no brain bleed after the fall. CT and bloodwork came back fine. They gave Mike pain meds i.v. and sent him home. His headache was held at bay for a few hours, but he was up vomiting all night yet again. It is hard to know if the vomiting is an adrenal issue, a GI issue or a reaction to high doses of medicine. The thought currently is that it is adrenal related, but that is not definite.
The Durkees are pursuing a headache specialist in Cincinnati. Please pray that the right doctor will be found and that there will be relief from these headaches. They are also questioning how many of Mike's ailments are a direct result of the adrenal issues. Every time his levels are checked they are SO different. One time one level is normal, the next it is low and something else is normal that was askew in previous testing. This makes adjusting medication very difficult. The Durkees are also looking into another opinion re: the endocrin issues. You could also pray that a good doctor is identified for this visit. The Durkees would love prayer for a good night's sleep as well. Becka was up late with Mike in the ER and then with the vomiting and then went to teach kids all day - she is tired - they both are. While Mike battles health issues, Becka is working and trying to keep them afloat financially and carry health insurance which they are so thankful for presently. She is sometimes torn between caring for Mike and working out of necessity.
This week has been a reminder of how hard life once was (not too long ago) and a reminder of how much progress Mike has made. We are earnestly asking the Lord that Mike continue to make progress and some of the pieces that remain missing are identified. In the ER last night, the doctor asked about quality of life. She asked how much this was affecting the Durkees. She was a tender heart in the midst of chaos. How is it affecting - it has transformed the Durkees' lives - in some good ways and some very hard ways - but their prayer continues to be that they would learn what God would have them to in all of this. Would you pray that for them also, please? Love to you all for supporting them in so many many ways!
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