So I'm going home! After 6 nights in the hospital, hours of MRI's multiple CT scans, 72 hours flat on my back (not sitting up for any reason whatsoever), injections in my stomach every day (blood thinners) and my second epidural blood patch, meeting with the leading nuerologists in the the finest neuro facility in the world (no kidding) It gives me great pleasure to report-----that they STILL have absolutely no idea how I'm leaking brain fluid. So they're sending me home to see if the i return to normal (MY normal) or if I become a blathering idiot as symptoms return. Please keep me in your prayers that the blood patch worked, as if I come back here to Barrow, the next level of tests are much more dangerous and invasive. Thanks for being there!

Proverbs 17:17

A friend loves at all times,and a brother is born for adversity.

If you have had the chance to follow blogs by my daughter Moriah and Facebook postings by my wife Laurie, you are aware of what has happened the past few days. To put it briefly as possible, I went to the hospital last Friday with symptoms resembling a TIA stroke. Severe headache, confusion, speaking nonsense, stumbling and in total denial that there is anything wrong (not typical of any other GUY huh?)

I can't really recall how many tests I had, but the list includes EKG, EEG, 2 CT scans, and 3 separate MRI's (one lasted an hour and a half--me in a tiny little tube). They found that I was losing cerebral spinal fluid and my brain stem had dropped about 1 1/2 inches and was compressing against my spine. Seems to me I should have been a bumbling idiot..wait, come to think of it.....

So, believe it or not, it's not the lack of spinal fluid that's the issue--as the neuro docs said they see that all the time. It's the lack of a specific cause, such as a spinal tap, epidural or recent head trauma. So, in the end, they never did find the cause. The solution was a blood patch, which simply means they injected 20cc of my own blood into my spine and hoping that the blood finds the leak and coagulates, plugging the leak.

Herein lies the last remaining problem. There's no way to know if it plugged the leak, as the doctors have no idea where the leak is. All they can do is wait and see if the symptoms return. If they don't, they plugged the leak and all is well. If symptoms return, it means that it didn't work I've got some pretty invasive tests ahead that the neuro surgeons at Barrows Neurological Institute are just giddy about the prospect of performing.

So I just got released from the hospital a few hours ago. I'm a bit lightheaded from being on my back for 5 days, but have no symptoms right now. I covet your prayers and pray that this blood patch worked.

But the reason for this blog is to thank God for the amazing friends that ministered to my wife Laurie and I over the past five days.

FACEBOOK: As Laurie posted her comments on Facebook, the comments amazed and humbled us. FIRST: the number of people who said they were praying for me was incredible. People who have been a part of our lives over the past 25 years were popping back up and praying. SECOND: The comments people made about how we made an impact on their lives. Most of the comments were on times we had no idea we were making an impact, but Christ using us to make the impact. I cannot explain with words how it feels when you're sitting in a hospital room, wondering how this incident is going to effect the rest of your life, and people write comments on how important you are to them. To each and every one who made comments on Facebook, thank you so much for taking the time to let us know that you are there for us. We NEVER felt like we were in this alone. And it was very very humbling to know that people cared so much.

HOSPITAL VISITS: When I am on my back, I have no symptoms. My brain leaks only when I stand up. So while lying in bed for endless hours on hours, your mind can really play tricks on you. You go through a wide range of emotions, from hope to despair, from content to feeling sorry for yourself. However, it seemed that whenever I was feeling discouragement from the pain of lying flat on my back or despondent from the lack of identifying the source of my brain pain, someone would walk through the door. My daughter Moriah, my Son by marriage Wes and my Grandson Camden came for a visit on more than one occasion, keeping my life in perspective. When I was in total back pain from lying perfectly flat for 24 hours and very discouraged, Dave Robinson and Mindy and Paul Hubbard walk through the door, and we're laughing by the time they left. Glenn and Brenda High brought dinner by, and we were reminded why we have been friends for nearly 30 years. My nephew Jarrad and his wife Capri brought me chocolates. When I came back from an EEG with my back in spasms, I asked Laurie for a couple of chocolates while I was moved from a gurney to a bed. It was a little pleasure in the midst of pain. Robin Fourmy was there for Laurie praying, counseling and encouraging every step along the way.

In addition, there were many many family and friends who stopped by and let me know they were praying for me and offering to help in any way they can. Each and every visit was appreciated.

STEPPING UP: Finally, the people who we did take up on their offer to help from Bethany Fourmy picking up my daughter from school, and Lyndsey Huff making dinner for my daughters every night.

In the end, the number of family and friends who called, came by and commented on Facebook was overwhelming. The encouraging words, the promises of prayer and offers of help was truly a source of strength.

While in the hospital, it occurred to me, how many people will go through their whole lives and never get the chance to hear how much your life has meant to the people around you.

My wife Laurie is truly amazing. She never left my side. She slept beside me every night. She rubbed my leg during 2 hours of MRI's. She's the most selfless person I have ever known. And besides that she is HOT! There are many advantages to marrying "up"!

So, as of today, I have no idea if my brain issues are over, or just the beginning. I pray they are behind me. However, I will always treasure the heartfelt comments and action by people I love. Thanks for being my friend at all times and brother (and sister) in adversity.

Camden's Poem

This poem is a collection of memories of my papa and playing games with my own daughters and how I envision playing them with my first grandson, Camden.

The first stanza is from the Dr. Seuss book, "Mr. Brown can Moo, Can You"?--one of my kids favorite books I would read to them.

Next is the buried cans--how my Papa made holes so he could teach us how to golf.
Then the circus acts I would do with my kids. Their favorite was when I laid on my backs, they sat in my hand on my extended arms, then with a big "hut" i would throw them up in the air and they would make a 180 degree turn--sometimes a 360--back into my hands--just like in the circus!

Stanza 4--wrestle until dinner---when we wrestled, nobody was allowed to cry if they got hurt, so we raise tough tom-boy girls. It didn't work.
As far as the broccoli--Moriah hates it to this day and has issues that we made her take a bite of it--and the oatmeal cookies--mmm a tradition in our house--baking cookies with Dad.

Papa stories---If we didnt read a book, I would tell my girls a story--their favorites??? A story about a lonely caterpillar, that always ended with tickling, and how I grew up a poor black child---actually the opening line from Steve Martin's "The Jerk", but made the stories up from there.

Then finally, each of the kids would shut their eyes and think if they couldn't see you, you couldn't see them.

OH, THE WONDERFUL THINGS

Oh the wonderful things Cam and Papa can do,
We can go like a cow, we can go MOO-MOO.
We can read another Dr. Seuss Book,
Or take a day trip to the zoo.

Papa will teach you how to golf,
In buried cans we’ll practice putt.
Then we’ll do our circus acts,
And show everyone our “huts”.

We’ll then play Cops and Robbers,
You can put me into jail.
You may think I’m locked away,
But then I’ll escape, I will.

We will wrestle until dinner,
(You cannot cry if you get hurt.)
You won’t have to eat your broccoli,
We’ll bake oatmeal cookies for dessert.

Then it’s time for Papa stories,
Cam’s imagination will run wild.
Stories about lonely caterpillars,
And growing up a poor black child.

And soon it’s time to take Cam home,
Way too soon, that’s a given
When Dad and Mom say “Cam Let’s Go”
Just shut your eyes and you’ll be hidden.

There’s only so much that we can do,
In a single day.
But first I must ask God above,
When can Cam come out and play?


Papa Christmas 2009