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!