Long Overdue Update

It's been a long while since I posted an update here.  The good news part of that is Michael had a great run of about 9 months or so.  He went from having 2-3 seizures a week to just 2-3 a month and even tolerated a month long trip back home to visit friends and family which was SO good for our family!!  

The last few months haven't been so great though, and he's had some decline.  While on our vacation we started noticing that Michael was coughing when he ate.  Initially we ignored it, but a time went on it became evident it was with EVERY meal and sometimes even thin liquids.  Then...  it progressed to liquids.  Several tests later we learned he has a few things going on and no one can pin point the exact problem...  story of his life!  He does have mild dysphagia...  the swallow study showed food is not being pushed all the way down the esophagus and is getting hung up in the pyriform sinus area.  Some swallowing exercises have helped that part a little.  We also learned he has a sliding hiatal hernia and Barretts Esophagus.  He's now on some medication to try to help these things in hopes of avoiding surgery.  Again, the meds are helping a little... but he's still having some trouble.  Most recently he had a pH study and esophogeal motility manometry test done.  Those results are pending and will determine if he's going to have to have the surgery.

Michael's also started having some more seizures...  or seizure type spells.  They are a little different than they used to be and he's had to have a med adjustment that has other side effects.  It was decided last month the best way to handle this is to move forward with the inpatient stay at the Barrow EMU in St Joe Hospital.  He will be admitted Monday November 14th at 8am and is expected to be there 10-14 days.  Day 1 they will stop all his seizure meds...  ick!  The goal is for him to have a seizure while being closely monitored and attacked to EEG so that they can (a) attempt to determine again what part of the brain they are coming from, and (b) adjust his meds to the best dosage with the least side effects.  When he has the seizure they will do their studies and then start adding meds back at slow low doses until the seizures stop.  

If you noticed the date, you likely noticed Michael could very well still be in the hospital for Thanksgiving.  He is insisting we still do our Thanksgiving as planned with close family friends, the Hobecks.  In the evening we will head to the hospital and bring him Kung Pao Chicken....  yes...  you read that right!  He said no WAY is he eating a hospital's Thanksgiving meal...  he wants Kung Pao Chicken and is serious.  We told him he can have whatever he wants!!  LOL!  

While Michael is in the hospital I will be working.  I am now an independent contractor (self employed essentially), so if I don't work, I don't get paid.  Our current plan is that I will work during the day then head to the hospital (which is an hour away) for the evening, and then head home to sleep and do it all over the next day.  The kids will continue their school schedule during the week and will see Michael over the weekend.  We have some freezer meals we prepped, and some friends are doing some too, so that the kids will have meals to eat each evening.  

Please pray that these few weeks will go by smoothly and fast for all of us...  and that the outcome will be positive and helpful for Michael's health!