A Long Overdue Update....Another Possible Adventure

It has been a very long time since I felt the urge to post about the journey Kristina has been living, however, upon Krissy's request I am updating the newest adventures in her journey to become seizure free. Seizures are still a very real part of our life but we are learning to let God handle the stress and just "go with the flow" of whatever comes our way. Krissy continues to bounce back from some very difficult times, although sometimes with bruises and aches to remind her of the challenges.

With the neuropace device in place, Krissy's seizures have been reduced by greater than 50% from before the beginning of the study. However, her neurologist doesn't want to believe this is as good as it gets for Krissy's future. Therefore, he has given Krissy some options to think about (I am sure he meant to "pray" about!).

The seizure count is down to an average of 15 per month (3 being gran mals), which after 35 to 40 a month, is a tremendous improvement. However, the doc feels the device is doing all it is going to do for Krissy and with several medication changes he is not confident about much more improvement. The first option is one newer medication that he prescribed this past visit as a last option for medication changes at this time.

The other option he has asked her to think (pray) about is the possibility of trying again to map out (grid) her brain and look further about the possibility of removing the seizure area (if you will remember from previous posts this was a process that involved very little room for error). He assured us the surgeon has been researching and feels it is a possibility; but would once again want to do the grid testing and monitoring the seizures before a final decision is made.

So, bottom line is this. If the new medicine does not reduce the number of seizures significantly the doctor wants Krissy to make a decision about future direction. She needs to decide if averaging 15 seizures a month is something she wants to live with for the rest of her life or does she want to opt for additional testing and surgery that could possibly eliminate or reduce the seizures further.

Our request from you, our family and friends, is that you will join us in praying about this difficult decision. Our most immediate prayer is that this new medication works to reduce the seizures. However, if it does not we want to be sensitive to God's plan for her life and make sure it is His will; whatever the decision.

We are currently waiting on a date (in the next 90 days) to have the battery changed and some adjustments on the electrodes (which involves opening the same incision area in surgery). It will be 3-4 days in the hospital in Virginia and is unavoidable as the battery life is running low. This has been done one time previously since the installation of the device.

God is doing a tremendous work in our lives and has allowed us so many adventures. We know God's hand is in the midst of all of our visits to Virginia as well. We ask that we would just be sensitive to what we are to do and make our decisions based on God's direction.

Once again I am reminded that God knows all things and knows the plans He has for each of us!

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11