April 14th Update-Some Decisions

Mike had a really rough night last night...3 seizures while trying to sleep. These are so hard at night because it interrupts both of their sleep and makes the next day harder to get through. Everything always seems worse when you are tired! He and Becka saw the endocrinologist today and had an encouraging app't. She is going to do some tests that have not been done yet and going to look into the pituitary tumor possibility and check films that have already been done. She decided along with his PC to change Mike to a different med, one that will adjust his blood pressure, which is low, and help with his adrenal insufficiency. Looks like Kathy will go out this weekend for a couple of weeks to help with Dr. app'ts and then they will both travel to NH. Mike will stay in NH while Becka finishes up school for the summer. Keep praying! It is encouraging to have someone looking at new things rather than running the same tests and getting the same results.

Tuesday, April 13th Update

Mike had a neurology appointment yesterday. He still doesn't know what is wrong but increased seizure meds in hopes of controlling the seizures and headaches; however, he still had three during the night. These wipe him out and make his whole body hurt because the muscles get so ridged during each seizure. Becka is pretty tired, too, since she stays up with him after he has one and still has to get up early for work. Mike's Dad is with them this week again and they are so thankful for the great job he is doing cleaning their yard. Tomorrow he will have some neuro testing done and an endocrinology appointment to further investigate why his cortisol level is so low and talk about the possibility of a pituitary tumor. We have been in discussion as to whether it would be best for Kathy to go there and help or if Mike should come to NH until Becka gets out of school for the summer. Since he is having seizures daily he is not able to be left alone. Once his Dad leaves, some decisions will have to be made.

We are still praying for our Dr. House! We hope to find a doctor who will take the time and put all the pieces to this very complicated and confusing medical issue together. So far we don't think he or she lives in NH or Ohio!

April 10th Update

Mike had a total of 5 seizures on Friday two of which he had with his friend, Steve, who is a nurse. The only good thing about these is they don't last as long as the passing out episodes. 3-5 minutes compared to 5-14.

On Monday he has an app't with the neurologist. His PC wants him to have a complete endocrine work up with an endocrinologist. His cortisol level is very low and some of his other symptoms point to a problem in this area. He wants to look further at the pituitary area. He has many symptoms pointing to either pituitary disease or pituitary tumor which frequently doesn't show up on MRI and is very hard to diagnose. We are hoping to get an neuro radiologist to compare the Boston films with the Ohio films. These seizures definitely seem to be brought on by a position change. Boston films show an inverted dens bone in his neck. The thought Boston had was that if this bone is unstable it was possible that it was interfering with the natural flow of cerebral spinal fluid. If that were the case a neuro surgeon would have to surgically go in and stabilize the bone with screws and or some type of bone plate. The problem is, Ohio's films don't show an inverted dens bone. Maybe it's just us, but it seems to us if one set shows it and another doesn't...wouldn't that indicate a possible instability? Just saying...EVERY neurologist we ask about this says "We can't make a diagnosis based on another hospital's tests or films, we have to do our own". Thus the reason no one has compared the two sets of films. Is that crazy or what? Maybe this isn't the problem but why not at least look at it?

April 9th Update

Mike is home from the hospital. The doctors told him he does not have epilepsy. The two episodes he had didn't show on the EEG, but one neurologist told him 20% don't (Ben's never do either).
So he is home and has seizure meds to take and a follow up appointment with a neurologist next week. His Dad has been there since Tuesday. He will go home for the weekend and come next week if they need him. The challenge now is how to keep him safe at home, especially when no one can be home with him.

One bit of good news...they found someone to buy the lease on his car. He hasn't been able to drive and doesn't look like he will be driving again in the near future. This will help with monthly bills.

Also, Becka found out she has more sick days she can take if she needs to and a couple of personal days she can use. That's the latest as of today.

Please keep praying...God always listens...even when it seems He is far...He is not!

Update from Kathy

Monday night Mike was taken by ambulance to the local hospital because he seemed to be having seizures, one right after the other. The ER doc confirmed he was having grand mal seizures and he was admitted to the hospital. Tuesday morning the neurologist came in, he was very curt and a rather unpleasant man. Becka was not there, she had been at the hospital all night and left to get a few hours of sleep. She requested to see him before he left the hospital for the day because she had lots of questions. Apparently this made him angry and he announced as he strolled into the room that he had already been in Mike's room in the morning so he had fulfilled his responsibility! The rest of the time he just gave Becka a hard time and was just plain mean! He didn't want to do an EEG because 20% of all seizures don't show up on EEG. He later ordered a quick one and also a CT scan. Both were normal. All day Tuesday after changing his position, going from lying down or sitting up, he had a seizure. This has been going on all day. Another new symptom.

He will be moved to a larger hospital so he can have an ambulatory EEG.This is one he stays hooked up to for a few days. Once a bed opens up he will be moved to the seizure floor.

They are exhausted, scared and overwhelmed. Becka doesn't have any more time off from work without getting her pay docked. She is already stressed by the many medical bills coming in and is trying to be there for Mike but also keep up her work schedule.

Thanks to all who have been so diligently praying for them, supporting and encouraging them. God has used you to help them keep going during this very frightening and difficult time!

**Updated** Mike was moved to the new hospital with the seizure floor.

April 5th Update

As Mike and Becka were getting ready for church on Sunday Mike passed out and had some very seizure-like activity going on while he was unconscious. This was a first. Lots of leg movements. He had a pretty bad headache most of the day and generally didn't feel well. They had planned to have dinner and spend Easter day with their friends Steve and Val. He didn't want to disappoint anyone so they still went and had a nice day in spite of his head.

They went to a new neurologist today who doesn't really know what is going on with him. He doesn't know why he passes out when his chin touches his chest or why the protein level in his spinal fluid is high. He is putting him on seizure meds to see if they will help the headaches and will see him again in a week. He doesn't really think Mike is having a neurological problem but a blood pressure issue. The cardiologist thinks it is a neurological problem not a blood pressure issue. Bottom line is NO ONE knows...at least no one human knows! We KNOW God knows what is going on and for some reason He has chosen not to disclose that information to anyone at this time...for what ever reason. We know His ways are not our ways and we may not like or understand it but we know He loves and cares for Mike and Becka, He is still good ALL the time and he has His reasons for bringing them down this road. (Dt. 29:29).

So for now we keep looking to Him, keep looking for a dr. who might be able to put it all together and wait...

April 3rd Update

Becka has been on spring break this week, and the two of them have enjoyed the nice Cincy weather and spending time with friends. It has been good for them. For a large part of the week, Mike was feeling OK and had some good days. Yesterday he passed out in the morning and was out for 13 minutes again. After having a wonderful evening with good friends, he passed out again shortly after they got home. He hit his head on the tile floor in the kitchen and is pretty sore. His head hurts inside and out today!

For Easter they have been invited to have dinner with one of Becka's friends from college and her family. They will be missed in NH, but we are all glad they won't alone for the holiday.

As always, God has taken very good care of them and has treated them with unexpected blessings this week! We are so thankful to the many friends He has given them! It is hard to be away from family during this difficult time.

Happy Easter to you all! We pray you will have a wonderful day tomorrow rejoicing in our RISEN SAVIOR!