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.

Monday, July 26, 2010

She's Out: Take Three

I just heard from the surgeon. Everything went well. Tina is out and in recovery. He didn't end up taking out any more bone, which I think is good, but he did mention that she just might have a bit more of a headache going forward because he had to "slip" the new grid plate underneath the skull and so there may be some added pressure between the skull and the brain that could result in Tina having a headache. He didn't take out all the depth electrodes as he originally thought, so those will stay in until the final surgery when they remove everything and do the resection (remove the part of her brain that is causing the seizures).

Praise God. I don't know if it is simply being tired and worn out or if something else was going on, but I must admit that I was feeling a great deal of anxiety over this particular surgery and I'm not sure why. What I do know is that I once again had to place my wife at the feet of the one who loves her infinitely more than I do and trust him that he know what is best for her. I am so grateful that he once again chose to bring her through this surgery with no complications and that he empowered Dr. Miller with the ability he has to perform the surgery.

I will keep you all posted as to how the day progresses. Thanks again for all your prayers throughout this.
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9 comments:

Kathryn Jones said...

Glad she's out! Praying for you guys all the time. I have no wisdom to offer, nothing powerful to say, just that I love you guys. My heart is with you even when my body isn't. There is never a moment where I am not thinking about you guys and the Blacks.

Kathryn

July 26, 2010 at 11:26 AM
Anonymous said...

Hang in there "Mikey" and Tina. Think of it like a marathon Dutch Blitz game and you can't go to bed until you get to say "Blitz". We are praying, along with so many others, for you guys! Thank you for keeping us all updated. We love you!!

Rick and Kathy B.

July 26, 2010 at 11:28 AM
Joel B Groat said...

Awesome news - love the pic of Tina's new haircut. I think we have now established that there is no haircut where Tina cannot look beautiful. And since imitation is the highest form of flattery - well, I'm flattered! Love you guys and praying and thanks Matt for making sure we had the right blog address. The latest one you sent works great! Staying in your corner for the duration. Joel

July 26, 2010 at 11:36 AM
Anonymous said...

Thanks for keeping us updated - we have been keeping you guys in our prayers and will continue to do so. I would like to echo what Joel said about staying in your corner for the duration - greg and anna

July 26, 2010 at 12:04 PM
The Boes Family said...

Thanks, Matt. I found myself constantly checking to see if she was out. For some reason I shared in your anxiety this morning. So relieved that God brought her through. Still praying for you and wishing I could be there.

Kathy

July 26, 2010 at 1:07 PM
Unknown said...

Hi Tina and Matt,
You are both amazing people.
John

July 26, 2010 at 2:23 PM
Anonymous said...

So happy to hear that Tina did so well in surgery # 3 . . . .wow God is so good. We have been praying and will continue to and trust the Lord for a good outcome.
I am at a loss for words . . .I am so thankful for your wonderful testimonies. God Bless, Ron and Shelia

July 26, 2010 at 7:47 PM
Jim and Chris Courter said...

We are so thankful and grateful to God for Tina's successful surgery! God truly does more than all we can ask or imagine...to Him be the glory! May His peace cover both of you like a warm blanket:).

Love and prayers, Jim and Chris

July 26, 2010 at 9:25 PM
Anonymous said...

Grandma Mead wanted you to know that her church and much of Alcester is praying for you and rejoicing in your spirit. Aunt Barb

July 26, 2010 at 11:17 PM

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