Well it's been a week since I last wrote. Aaron had another seizure this morning -- again after his shower. There is some kind of connection there but we just can't quite put our finger on it. Is it the heat or the actual water itself? I think I'd mentioned earlier that I read on an Australian epilepsy site about water from the shower or bath causing seizures in some people. That was the first time I'd ever seen that. We continue to trust and keep perspective though. Aaron is 1 month tomorrow away from brain surgery.

Today was the first "real" rehab sessions. They worked him over good! He now has enough control to be able to pick up a golf ball (with some effort) and put it in a bucket, and do a few rounds on the leg press machine! More of the sensation is returning to his right side and his balance has improved some. There are still issues with short-term memory, which he thinks is a crock, but we notice it. Every once in a while he seems to have a problem calling up certain words. They just don't want to get out of his mouth with the sounds in the right order. That doesn't happen very often, but when it does, he gets a little flustered.

Please continue to remember him in your prayers! He's got a ways to go but each week we see progress! Blessings to everyone!

Had every intention of posting yesterday but time didn't allow it. I was going to make some April Fool's joke like, Aaron's brain fell out! But you all were spared my sick sense of humor.

Aaron had his first appt at the neuro rehab place. We were there for almost 4 hours! His PT, Camille and OT Michael are just really, really nice people! Aaron will be seeing them 2 times a week for the first couple of weeks and then once a week for an undetermined period of time. We've heard estimates of 6 weeks to 3 months, so guess we'll have to wait and see. Michael made a splint for Aaron's right arm that he is to wear only at night, that keeps his hand open and his thumb out. It's kind of cumbersome but it's part of the healing process.

Thanks to everyone who continues to check up on us with notes and/or phone calls! We are continuing to pray for Aaron that he does recover the use and sensation of his right side. He gets frustrated sometimes because initially improvement came almost everyday, and now he's hit a bit of a plateau. I think that's where the neuro rehab comes in. I expect him to see more improvement and progess over the coming weeks as he goes for therapy.

Blessings to all, and Happy Spring!

We had a very encouraging appt with Dr. Chung (Aaron's neurologist) today! Aaron ended up having another seizure on Saturday, both being immediately after his shower. Dr. Chung wasn't disturbed by that at all -- in fact he said that any seizures that occur in the 2 weeks post-surgery don't even count!! That brought a smile to Aaron's face! He told Aaron that he did and continues to do remarkably well! They are all very pleased with his recovery and progress so far! As for the seizures, taking showers has always been a trigger for Aaron. I did some reading over the weekend about water causing seizures in some folks, whether it's shower or bath. Dr. Chung said that in Aaron's case, more than the water it's the temperature of the water -- too hot! He said it's very similar to Aaron being predisposed to having a seizure when he gets overheated -- same concept. So for the last 2 days, Aaron has taken quick and cool showers!

Dr. Chung said that with the neuro rehab (which starts tomorrow!) he should regain the use and sensation on his right side, much like it was before the surgery. He also said that he doesn't want to do anything medication-wise this time, but to come back in 2 months and then we'll talk about making some medication changes.

All in all, we were very encouraged by the appointment! Dr. Chung doesn't sugar-coat anything which is good, even hard to hear sometimes, but I'd rather that than building us up and not being completely forthcoming with things we need to know. No one likes surprises.

So, that's it for today! Tomorrow begins neuro rehab at 8:30 a.m. Aaron will be there roughly 3 hours and I'm sure will be completely exhausted when he gets home! This initial appt will be longer than what he can expect in the future.

Hasta Luego!

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding....... Aaron had a seizure this morning. Caught us all by surprise. It was very mild and short, but still it upset Aaron tremendously. Don and I weren't feeling so hot ourselves. I called his neurologist who is out of town until Monday, but did get a call back from his nurse who did speak with one of his partners. He said he wasn't overly concerned considering that surgery was 2 weeks and 2 days ago, and that there is still lots of healing going on and brain swelling still going down. We already had a med check scheduled for Monday with the neurologist so that's good!

It took about half the day before Aaron really started to relax again. I pulled out a few emails that I kept from the yahoo group I belong to, where several folks have stated that seizures post- surgery are not all that uncommon. We know all those things, but you know, it's still a bit disconcerting. We will stay encouraged and obviously talk all of this over on Monday when we see his doctor.

More later!

Okay, I've been "chastised" a couple of times for not writing as frequently as I was! I just didn't want to post with nothing new to add and bore everyone! Let's see -- the only thing that's new is that Aaron begins neuro rehab on Tues the 1st. It is an accredited stroke rehab facility that is affiliated with Banner Hospitals. So far, everyone I have talked to there is very, very nice so we are encouraged and excited for Aaron to begin rehab! He has still not regained much use of his right hand, which weighs on him sometimes. A lot of the sensation and movement has returned to his entire right side, but there are still areas that have not recovered yet. I am sure that his brain is still trying to "regroup", after having been messed with just 2 short weeks ago! We remind Aaron of that regularly -- I mean look how far he has come in such a short time! The scar on his head is becoming less and less noticeable, his balance is improving and even though he still tires easily, it's certainly not like it was even last week!

I'm sure there will be more to write as these next weeks come along. Rehab is hard work and Aaron is going to need lots and lots of encouragement! Blessings to all!

Don't know if anyone's still reading this, but what a day!! Aaron saw the surgeon today for follow-up and to have the stitches removed. He told us that he is very pleased with Aaron's progress, almost 2 weeks post-surgery! He also told us something we've waited 21 years to hear. He actually has a name for what happened to Aaron's brain, way back when he was just a little speck! Focal cortical dysplasia. That is the fancy way to explain what happened to cause the damage to Aaron's brain!

He had the final pathology report which he read to us, and of course 99% of it was greek, but he did explain some of it. He said that as an embryo, at the stage where the brain is actually forming, which is done from the inside out, it grows outward to finally form the gray matter (outside). It pulls along with it everything needed to form the necessary connections/wiring, and in Aaron's case, something happened in that process that caused those connections to get all bunched up with nowhere to go -- nothing to connect to. Therefore, a part of his brain had all these short circuits which ended up becoming seizures.

We were completely floored! After 21 years of speculation, to finally have a definitive answer is just overwhelming! I don't mean to sound so melodramatic, but WOW!! For such a time as this! My aunt pointed out to me the other night that all of this is what we have been kept here for! All the years of trying so desperately to get out of Arizona, and hitting nothing but closed door after closed door. And you know, Aaron having this surgery years ago could have meant not having as good an outcome -- technology being what it is today! My uncle said something a few weeks back about Dr. Smith getting all of his training and experience, just for Aaron! Amen to that!

God is faithful to complete what He starts! This is NOT over! In fact, it's only beginning! Aaron will start neuro rehab this week and as time goes on, he will decide when to pursue school again. If you were to see him out and about, you would never know that he is recovering from brain surgery, 2 weeks ago!!!! He will see his neurologist next week for a med check.

Thanks again to everybody for checking in on us! It sure has been hard having to actually make meals this week! We were sooo spoiled last week by all the delicious meals that were brought over! Yum! Blessings to all!

What a difference a week makes! To look at Aaron, you'd never know that just one week ago he had a chunk of his brain taken out! Wow!! He is virtually pain free, until of course his mother accidentally elbowed him in the head -- yes right in the stitches! Way to go Mom!!!

Aaron's balance has improved immensely and the double vision is about 98% gone! He only uses the cane around the house when he starts to get tired. We will be visiting a rehab center tomorrow. They only contract with Aaron's secondary insurance, so we need favor with the primary insurance company. You can add that to the prayer list. It's not very far up the road from us, and they came highly recommended!

Our biggest challenge right now is staying well! Collin is a sick puppy today. Finally took him to the doctor and now he's on antibiotic. I really don't think he's contagious at this point, since he's had this now for over 3 weeks! I think it just stuck around and turned into a nasty sinus/lung infection.

We have been so spoiled this week with different folks bringing us dinner! I think I have now gained back all the weight I lost while Aaron was in the hospital! Thanks to everyone for your kindness!

That's it for now!