Post Philly Update

Alan was in Philadelphia at a headache clinic almost a month ago. We are so thankful for so many prayers and support on this long journey to healing his chronic migraines. He continues to have migraine several times a week and regular headaches almost daily, along with nausea from his medicine He goes back to Philadelphia next Thursday for a check up. He has been allowed to up some of his preventatives. Meanwhile, he has also seen a homeopathic doctor who diagnosed him with several things: gene mutation that causes heavy metals poisoning, treated with supplements, and biotoxin issues caused by mold, yeast or Lymes. He thinks Alan can be healed by November, but most of the supplements recommended Alan can not take ( his body does not respond to them).  We know that the Lord can bring healing, but with all of the ups and downs of hope and disappointment in doctors and medicine, we are choosing to continue to trust in Him for strength and mercy to get through each day and take life one day at a time. "I lift my eyes up to the hill, from where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth." Psalm 121:1-2.

Alan's home!

Alan made it home after a long painful night. We are all so glad to have daddy back. Sweet Laura Cate prayed for him in the car as the kids and I went to pick him up at the airport after dinner. She sure is our prayer warrior. This morning while some amazing friends took the kids to church I enjoyed some extended time with The Lord. Me.my journal.my Bible.and a lesson by John Piper...it was a sweet time. I was really encouraged as I spent time pondering one of his blog entries called "Do Not Loose Heart" looking at 2 Corinthians 4:16-18. I highly recommend it. No pain or any amount of suffering is meaningless. It all will lead to an eternal weight of glory. www.desiringgod.org/blog July 26, 2013.  Alan was able to talk to his doctor this morning and he changed the dosage of his oral medication that he had been previously taking through an IV. We are anxious to see if there are any side effects, but we know no matter what God is with us and His love is steadfast.

Alan's update from Philadelphia

Alan returned to Philadelphia on Tuesday, this time to be admitted to the  hospital at the headache clinic for a week.  Two weeks ago he visited a doctor at the clinic and he thinks he has Transient migraine headaches.. Basically a migraine all the time, which shows itself in various forms, such as migraine, fatigue, or regular headaches. Only 2.5% percent of migraine sufferers have this type....it's not a fun group to be in :). Alan is hopeful about this visit. 

Since he left I've been pretty sick, with a virus, that has left me achy, fatigued, and feeling pretty rotten. By Gods grace I rarely get sick like this,and it feels like it could not have come at a worse time, but I'm learning that when The Lord says he came to bring us life...abundant life....that doesn't mean free of sickness and pain, but one full of grace, joy, living with him in pain, heartache and experiencing his love and goodness, no matter what our circumstances are. Over this week I have experienced tremendous amounts of grace and love as people have been praying for Alan and me, and serving us by bringing us food, snacks, and taking our kids so I can rest.

Here is the latest update from Alan:  I'm in the Jefferson Headache Clinic in Philadelphia.  The care has been pretty good, and the nurses are really nice and understanding.  But the time has definitely not been restful, and it's hard to even do email or read most of the time.  I have to get a shot in my stomach every 3 hours along with a vitals check, a full EKG every night, and 2 vials of blood drawn every morning.  I'm on 24hr heart rate monitoring (many of the meds can cause heart problems), so I have 5 wires connected to pads on my torso to a heart rate monitor on my bed so it's really hard to sleep or even go to the bathroom.  I have an IV with 5-6 bags most of the time.  All of this is very aggressive drug treatment to break the migraine cycle and start me on preventative drugs that I will continue orally when I leave. So, we really need your prayers that all this is worth it and will be effective with the frequency and severity of my migraines. 

Alan left the hospital today , looking to go home tomorrow, but he is currently having a migraine. Please pray for relief for him and wisdom as whether or not to come home or go back to the hospital. He feels very alone and discouraged.  

Alan's update

We are so thankful that Alan was home to celebrate Thanksgiving! Such a huge praise and answered prayer that he only had to stay 6 days at the headache clinic in Chicago.  He missed his mom at the airport by a few hours as she was leaving after being with us for the week while he was away.  Alan attended the Diamond Headache Clinic and was immediately impressed and thankful for their knowledge and sensitivity to headache sufferers...they have special low lighting, low noise and very caring nurses. After his initial meeting with his doctor he checked into their in--house hospital.  He had lots of blood work, an MRI, met with the doctor daily, as well as attended several seminars on drug education, diet, wellness, and headaches.  He was only allowed outside the hospital once and that was with a nurse accompanying him on a walk around the building (it was really cold, so he was glad to get back inside, but he did miss his freedom.  Since Alan has returned he has had three migraines in the past 10 days and continues to have bad headaches everyday, but the doctor said it would take 2-6 weeks for his new preventative medicine to start working. We are a little discouraged, but not without hope that things might get better.  Thank you to everyone who has been praying for us. Please continue to do so as we fight this battle.  We are reminded as we enter into Advent that we can celebrate Immanuel..."God with us" everyday, not just at Christmas. God is with us during our physical and emotional pain and we are so thankful and humbled to get to experience God's presence in our lives.

1-6 weeks?!

Alan left Monday to go to the Diamond headache clinic in Chicago. It was sad to see him go because we weren't sure when we would see him again...one week, Thanksgiving, or even up to six weeks. When Alan first arrived the doctor said he would be out 5-6 days, but honestly I didn't believe it for one split second. But boy was I wrong and I'm so glad! Alan was discharged today and will be flying back to Orlando tomorrow night! He had lots of blood work, MRIs, drug and health seminars, and he met with one of the top headache doctors in the country daily.   With new medication, better understanding of some dietary and lifestyle changes, and lots and lots of prayer, the doctor thinks we might have the migraines under control -- down to 1-2 a month...we'll take it! Sadly the clinic was filled with 67 other patients, ranging from teenagers, to single, married men and women ( although 75% of migraine sufferers are women). Two patients have had headaches everyday for a year. I CANNOT imagine.  Alan's  roommate was on his third visit to the clinic. Many of the patients have no hope and no joy.  I'm not usually a pessimist, but we've been through so many different remedies, I'm finding it hard not to be these days, yet  I know the reality of what is true -- our hope and joy continue isin The Lord and we will be victorious in this battle; Alan is coming back tomorrow, he will be with us for Thanksgiving; and we have had a tremendous outpouring of love and prayers, around the world,and through our community here.  Alan's mom came to help me this week and it was such a weight off of my shoulders. I am deeply reminded of the Lords loving kindness even during difficult circumstances.  We will let you know Alan's progress with his new medicine.

headache update #1,000

Sometimes I feel like a broken record and I am hesitant to write anything pertaining to Alan's chronic medical problems. I fear that I am complaining or am not sensitive to other people's pain. But so many people are praying for us and are concerned for us and we do not take that for granted. Thank you, thank you! I am learning so much about the body of believers and how much I need each person. It is humbling to say the least. 

Alan received his CPAP machine(constant positive airway pressure) (you'd be amazed how many people have told me they or their spouse use one, but I was clueless as to what it was until recently). 
He has been sleeping worse than before because it is hard for him to get used to.  He still has several migraines a week. At his last appointment with his neurologist she said she she couldn't do anything else for him and suggested he go to a headache specialist. This means Alan would need to check in to a clinic for anywhere from 1-6 weeks.  After many many phone calls and research the earliest appointment we could get was February, but it was with our third choice doctor. That was just too long to wait. We have been praying that something miraculous would open up. God knows our needs and He can move mountains, so we were trusting Him for an earlier appointment. During dinner this evening Alan received a phone call from our first choice doctor in Chicago saying that they had a appointment November 18!! That's in 12 days!! We are so thankful and praise the Lord for His provision for us.  His mercies are new everyday.

Alan's health update

After much waiting Alan was cleared to receive a CPAP machine to help him sleep, which will in turn, hopefully help relieve his migraine headaches. He will go on Friday to pick it up and start using it. whoohoo! Please pray that it is helpful.

After even more waiting and calling, Alan found out the results from a MRI that he has two bulging disks in his upper vertebrae, so now he needs to go back to the neurologist to check on that next week...it might be a relatively easy fix, such as physical therapy or exercises, or surgery :(.

Last but not least, Alan visited an ENT doctor and found out he has a deviated septum and a lowered mouth palate, BUT the doctor is really hopeful that the sleep machine will fix that.

Meanwhile, he continues to have bad headaches and sleepless nights. God's mercies are new everyday and this is something we have learned to not take lightly, but to rejoice in and find strength in Him each day. Only The Lord can sustain us and HE does EACH and EVERY day.


Thank you so much for visiting our blog!