A Time For Everything

Ecclesiastes 3

1 There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under the heavens:
2 a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
3 a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
4 a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
6 a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
7 a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
8 a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.

I love verse 4 - a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance. Logic would tell me now is the season of weeping and mourning, but perhaps now is the time for laughing and dancing and dare I say . . . rejoicing. You see, in this season of thanksgiving, I know we will sit around the table and talk about what we're thankful for - talk about the blessings in our lives, and that has got me thinking about blessings. Blessings come from the Father and if I believe that to be true, then I best be looking for evidence of His hand in my life right now. Because while it is easier to mourn and weep as Mike has started seizing more frequently through the day again, and I ask earnestly, "Lord how long?", I believe His gentle response has been a reminder as to what I have. I have a house I love. I have 2 crazy dogs that I love. I have food in my stomach. My bills are paid. I have a job in a season where very few do. I have amazing health insurance. I have a family that is tight and crazy supportive. I have amazing friend support. I have a church that I feel fills me up every time I go. I have the ability to go to MI for Thanksgiving and NH for Christmas. I have a piano to praise on. I have people interceding across the nation on my behalf. I have a heavenly Father who loves me more than I will ever begin to comprehend and mourns with me in my suffering. I have salvation. I have eternal life and a hope that one day, all the suffering this world has to offer will be worth it. And you know what's funny, this extended trial has made me long for the other side like nothing else ever has - and I'm thankful for that. There is so much to give thanks for. I am EXCEEDINGLY AND ABUNDANTLY BLESSED . . . and thankful.

Mike Update:

Mike received his blood level results - all looked good and there was improvement in one hormone level. His potassium is high but this is not uncommon with what he has going on currently. The CT scan of his abdomen and adrenal gland looked fine. Seizure medicine was increased and his seizures have increased as well. We're not sure whether this is a direct result of the medication. Some seizure meds can cause seizures - crazy, right? Mike has healed from the fall down the stairs but has had other falls due to his lack of balance. His hand tremors are very bad right now, but this is par for the course as his seizures have increased. Until about a week ago, Mike's seizures were contained to sleeping seizures which made life much easier, but he is back to seizing during the day - again, we're not sure about the correlation between meds and increased seizure activity. Seizing during the day makes it more difficult to be active during the day and causes me great anxiety when we go out as I am always wondering when he might drop. I don't worry that he'll get hurt per say, as he has an aura before and knows they are coming, but I fear others' reactions - I hate a big scene - SOOO anxiety causing for me. We both have been struggling with sleep again - Mike due to seizures and me due to my anxiety - why can't I stop worrying??!! Frustrates me! Anyway, we would appreciate prayer for seizures and my anxiety and a good time in MI with family. I feel like there is a cloud that follows us, and I never know how much rain it may dump, but I'm trying desperately to hold onto the fact that Mike was stable (with the exception of headaches) this summer and that we may live that way again. He sees a homeopathic doctor right after Thanksgiving. Thankful for all of you, friends, and for the love and intercession on our behalf. Blessings on this Thanksgiving day!
Becka

and they all came a tumblin down . . .

Twas the morning of Sunday and all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a . . . . .WAIT A MINUTE! There were more than mice stirring. I awoke to dogs barking, Mike yelling and large banging noises 6:30 Sunday morning. To those of you who have never woken to such a sound, you'd be amazed by what scenarios run through your mind. Mike has two ongoing symptoms when he is actively seizing (which he is nightly): hand tremors and loss of balance. Mike unfortunately lost his balance Sunday morning and fell down a flight of stairs leading to the basement. We are thankful that no broken bones or concussions were a result. We took it easy the remainder of the day. Mike was sore yesterday but is even more sore today. Needless to say, Advil was added to the medicine regiment. We're thankful he didn't break anything but talk about adding insult to injury! He was already sore from seizing nightly. Prayers for a swift pain relief are appreciated.

Mike saw his primary care last week. A new medication was prescribed for headaches, bloodwork to check levels was drawn, an MRI of Mike's adrenal glands was ordered, a lyme test was run and neuron testing will be scheduled (to see how the brain is firing). We'll keep you updated on Mike's healing, blood test results and how the new headache medicine is working. sigh . . . . .is it vacation yet?

~Becka

Back in the 513

Yes, it's true. Mike is back in Cincinnati - much to his, Becka's and the dogs' happiness. The Durkees went to NH for Becka's grandmother's funeral, Becka flew back to Cincy, and Mike went to Cleveland 2 weeks later to do his uncle's funeral. The service went well, and Mike was honored to speak. Although it was a long day, and Mike was wiped out after, it was very important to him to be there and speak well of his uncle. Thank you for your prayers concerning the service.

Now that Mike is back in Cincinnati, he has some appointments coming up. He sees his primary care this week. The doctor will order a few more tests and hopefully increase seizure medication. Up to this point, Mike's organs have handled the amount of medication he is on, and seizure levels are not yet up to therapeutic levels. The hope is a new prescription for the headaches as well. There is one class of medication that has not been tried. Headaches remain the same - some days are worse than others. After Thanksgiving, Mike is scheduled to see a homeopathic dr who will run his own tests. Mike has started an elimination diet - cutting out all (or most) preservatives and coloring - trying to eat all natural food. The Durkees are big fans of Trader Joe's ginger snaps! As traditional medicine has offered little relief, the Durkees are looking into natural remedies as well.
Mike is glad to be back in Cincy. One of the things he was involved in before traveling to NH was coaching high school boys' basketball. It was a small commitment and Mike was enjoying it. He is concerned with his ability to be consistently involved due to his health. Prayer is appreciated that Mike would be able to coach those three days a week and be consistent in his involvement. It would be so good for him on so many levels.

For now, the Durkees are learning many lessons, feeling restored in new ways, thankful for friends to walk through life with, and happy to be together again. In two and a half weeks they will travel to MI to be with Becka's whole family (immediate and extended) for Thanksgiving.

Blessings, friends.