Untraceable Paths: Early

Early Easter morning, four and a half years ago, life for our family changed forever. I awoke to the sound of an otherworldly noise and Tina’s body convulsing uncontrollably. That event began us onto a path where we would discover that Tina was suffering from late onset Epilepsy. That path would include long periods of Tina being home-bound and a non-stop roller-coaster of trying to figure out which medications would strike the best balance between controlling her seizures but also limit the debilitating side-effects of chronic fatigue and loss of focus – that effort has only been marginally successful.

On July 14th 2010, our path took another turn when Tina underwent a five week long surgical procedure where doctors at University Hospitals in Cleveland Ohio implanted multiple electrodes into her brain in the hope that this would allow them to locate the spot in her brain that is responsible for her seizures and then surgically remove that spot in an attempt to control her seizures without medication. Unfortunately after 3 surgical attempts to locating this seizure focus, the clock ran out and the risk of continuing this procedure became too great, so they removed all of the electrodes, and sent her home with very little to show for our 5 weeks in the hospital.

When we left Cleveland two summers ago we couldn't imagine that we would go back anytime soon. Those five weeks in the hospital were very disappointing for Tina and difficult for our kids. However, over the course of the last year and a half, Tina's seizures have become progressively more frequent, and medications have become progressively less effective at controlling her seizures. So, after consulting with Tina's neurologists, it is clear that we are in for yet another turn in the path of life.

We will once again be making the trip to University Hospitals in Cleveland, and on Wednesday January 11th, Tina will once again undergo the same procedure to implant electrodes in her brain to monitor seizure activity in the hope that they can determine the physical location of her seizures and surgically remove it.

This is not a path that we went looking for nor did we anticipate how sharply our lives would change literally over night when four and a half years ago these seizures began. There have been days when we have wondered as to why these things were happening and what God was up to in this. What we have learned is best summed up by the Apostle Paul in his letter to the church at Rome where he said that the paths that God lays out for us are "beyond tracing out." We may not understand this path or where it’s leading us, but what we do know is that we would rather follow God’s untraceable path than to follow any path we could lay out for ourselves. This blog is our attempt to bring others along with us as we walk along God’s untraceable path.

Sunday, July 25, 2010

Early

We're being told that Tina will likely be the first surgery tomorrow. That means that she will be up by 4:00am to scrub down and then taken to the OR sometime around 6:30am or so. As I've done the previous two times, I'll make a quick post letting everyone know when she's in surgery and when she's out. Thanks in advance for your prayers of protection for my beautiful bride.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...: The church is praying too.
Aunt Barb; July 25, 2010 at 11:05 PM
veronica said...: You guys have been in my prayers all weekend. Lifting you up as you walk this road again tomorrow. Praying for you and appreciating the updates! veronica; July 25, 2010 at 11:24 PM
The Boes Family said...: Praying for you. Maybe I keep waking up at 4 am because they keep waking Tina up at 4 AM. Know that 4 AM is being taken care of for prayer!!

You are loved.; July 26, 2010 at 4:50 AM
Anonymous said...: Couldn't sleep last night. You got a lot of "knee time" though I confess I didn't really get out of bed. :-)
Praying this surgery goes well and that the pain isn't so horrible.
You are loved and prayed for!
-Glenda; July 26, 2010 at 7:25 AM
Anonymous said...: we will continue to pray all day today... God is with you.
ruthie; July 26, 2010 at 7:46 AM
Anonymous said...: Matt and Tina,

We are praying for the surgery today and for your kids as well.

My son was looking over my shoulder this weekend while I was reading your blog. He said "Hey, I know that guy, its Vinnie, "the man".

So we will be praying for Matt and Tina as well as "Vinnie" and his wife Tina.
JimT; July 26, 2010 at 8:21 AM
Anonymous said...: All of your thoughts and prayers are so encourageing. Thank you SO MUCH!!

Tina; July 28, 2010 at 9:07 AM