I've got Joy down in my heart...deep, deep down in my heart....and toes, too!

God is still the hero!  

First, to our many faithful friends and prayer warriors, THANK YOU!!!  We figure that many of you are worthy of the nickname given to James, author of James in the Bible, "Camel-knees"  for your devotion to praying on our behalf.  We cannot even begin to tell you how much we covet your prayers.

We had an "okay" week back home after M's emergency hospital trip, but we met with our doc on Friday to discuss M's new diagnosis.  It is now apparent that the antibody that is triggering and causing M's seizures (GAD-65) is also leading to another neurological condition/diagnosis called Stiff Person Syndrome (SPS).  This is concerning because we have seen it rapidly have an effect on M as she will collapse to the floor with no warning.  Her left leg will completely "lock-up" as every muscle in her leg will suddenly constrict.  The doctor explained this as being an excitatory muscle response.  So, we now say that M's muscles are really excited...Yes, we knew her Joy for the Lord was in her, all the way down to her toes!

But in all seriousness this latest news is very concerning. We begin today with M being connected to an in-home video EEG monitor that will track her seizure activity for the next three days.  In addition, our Neuro will be visiting with the Mayo Clinic this week to determine the course of action for treatment of M's new condition.  Currently, the doc wants to use a high-dose muscle relaxer, which will hopefully calm down the excititory muscle response, and an immune modulating drug that will hopefully calm down the body's immune response which is leading to the seizures and now SPS.

As I began the post, and as we have continued to say, God is the hero of this story!  With the recent findings and diagnosis the stage is continuing to be set for the Lord and HIS glory!!  Apparently, there is not a cure for what we are going through.  M will most likely always be fighting the antibody and its effects on her body.  So, it is just trying to figure how to control it (insert: Miracle)!!

Furthermore, to see God's protection and provision, our Neuro reitterated that M is doing remarkably well despite her ongoing battle.  Reason?  Both our Neuro and Neuro-Immunologist at the Mayo Clinic have continued to comment that after viewing M's EEG & case history, she should be non-functioning due to the damage to the brain.  Therefore, as most of you know, M is continuing to be very protected and blessed by the Lord.

AMEN!

Please pray for complete healing.  Please pray for our current Nanny situation as we are continuing to search for someone to care for P.  Please pray for our possible trip back to the Mayo Clinic.