Celebrate, Jesus, Celebrate!

Praise God, Alli is celebrating her 4th birthday! Join me:
Praise God from whom all Blessings flow
Praise Him all creatures here below
Praise Him above the heavenly hosts
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, A-----men.

Don't know if anybody other than Baptists do that one, but it's a regular around the southern baptist churches. And that song rings in my heart tonight as I think about the journey that has brought us to where we are now- celebrating Alli's 4th birthday. As anyone who's followed this blog knows, we almost lost the opportunity to ever celebrate another birthday with Alli when she fell from our 2nd story balcony October 9, 2008. We went through 6 months of treatment and recovery, and ultimately received an amazing Holy touch from the Master's Hand upon her little body. Alli has been healed through the fervent prayers of God's people by the loving, merciful touch of my Savior's Hand. I know that He is the ONLY reason we are able to celebrate this precious birthday. I know that without Him, I would have lost my baby girl the night of that tragic accident. I know that it is no coincidence that Alli became fully conscious & alert for the first time on a Sunday morning, just a few minutes after 11, when churches from New York to Florida were united in prayer for her provision. And I know that every hurdle we climbed from that night through the next 6 months, were Victories in Jesus. And I know that I know that I know that He carried me through a time in which I could not walk...
Holy, Holy, Holy
Is the Lord God Almighty
Who was, and Is, and Is to come
With all creation I sing
Praise to the King of Kings
You are my everything, and I will adore you...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALLI!!! WE LOVE YOU!!!

Update on our clan

Okay, finally the update many have been waiting on.
Alli's testing all came back beautifully and she's been given the "all clear" from The Children's Hospital. Her little issues now have been determined as post traumatic stress that should work itself out over time.
MeMe's checkup with her Gastro intestinal doc wasn't quite as pleasant. It seems she has become PPI dependant (can't get off of reflux meds) and also struggles terribly with allergies. Because at her last endoscopy she had esophagitis and white cells hanging out in her esophagus, they want to do another endoscopy on Monday (Apr. 6), check her stomach, do some esophageal biopsies (checking those white cell counts), and check for eosinophilic esophagitis (to see if her reflux was caused by allergies). She's pretty nervous and I must say this wasn't how I planned on spending my birthday either. But rest assured, God has not left us, and will see us through this too.
I've often joked saying, "No, my name is not Job", but seriously, God has been amazing to us. For whatever reason God has allowed the twists and turns on our path to be that of physical issues. I don't know why, but He does. And He has used these medical issues our family has had to gather people in His Name, to cause folks to pray in unity from NY to FL, to draw our families and friends closer, to open doors to new people in our lives, to have others witness to and encourage us in our time of need, to allow our walk to be a testimony of Him for others to see.
So now with each bump in the road, I don't cry out "woe is me" or "what are we gonna do". Instead I feel butterflies of excitement anticipating, "God is about to show up on the scene!"
I promise you I have experienced the presence of the Almighty. I have felt the Hand of the Comforter. I have seen the work of The Great Physician. I truly know now what it means to feel peace in the valley, in that place where you don't even ask for miracles because you finally realize that every moment you have lived has been just that- a miracle. That place where you feel so blessed to be, that you can't imagine asking for more.
I told you before, and many don't understand this, but I never asked God to "fix" Alli (though I know many of you were face to floor begging for complete restoration and I thank you). But all I asked that horrific night was that He let her stay with me a while longer, just to please give me more time to be with her and love on her, no matter the condition. Her own neurosurgeon said himself that most doctors believed this would have required surgery, but bless be to God, we were surrounded by Christian doctors who joined us in prayer, confident that God had a plan for her. And as you all know, He has given exceedingly far more abundant than I could have ever asked. My sweet little girl is a walking, breathing, fully functioning beam of sunshine today because of the personal touch of the Savior. And she'll tell you that herself. The doctors themselves said, "This just doesn't happen on its own."
How could anyone doubt that He lives? How could anyone question His existance? If only everyone could feel the powerful presence of God that we felt in those days surrounding her accident, though I pray you never have to go through such a traumatic time.
But truly,
I serve a risen Savior, He's in the world today
I know that He is living, whatever men may say
I see His Hand od mercy, I hear His Voice of cheer
And just the time I need Him, He's always near

He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today
He walks with me and talks with me along life's narrow way
He lives, He lives, salvation to impart
You ask me how I know He lives?
He lives within my heart!

Remember us...

Please be in prayer for me tomorrow afternoon as I go to meet with a financial counselor at the hospital. Please pray for God's provisions over us.
Also please pray for Alli's sleep deprived EEG on Thursday 3-19. They said she cannot nap on the ride up this time (1 1/2 hr trip). This is going to be a great challenge. Last time nothing worked to keep her awake as we traveled. It's hard to take a little one who's already been sleep deprived and then ride her in a car for an hour and a half. I wish they could admit her the night before, but it looks like a hotel room would be the only way to do that.
Alli has become very restless in her sleep lately, and as a result is very tired the next morning. She's tossed and turned, talked in her sleep, made jerky movements, wet the bed, and had nightmares about a fox (I have no idea!). Anyone know why they'd want to run more tests!?!

More prayer needed

Our neurologist appt last week went well; however they would like to do another EEG to check for seizure activity in her sleep. She's had a few quirks during the time of her blessed healing transformation, and they won't to check to see if there's anything causing these quirks or if it's typical post trauma effects. Also, Alli has been having nightmares for the past few weeks.
Our need for prayer comes with today's visit to the doctor. She developed some congestion and a right ear infection, the same side as the accident injury. Right now they think it's unrelated, although she has had fluid there since the accident. I may contact our ENT friend and ask his opinion. This evening, Alli's developed fever and it's climbed to 102.5 with 3 meds in her. We're going to watch her carefully and pray this doesn't progress into anything worse. They did a flu swab on her (which praise God was negative) because the flu has recently hit our small town. We waited over an hour before we were seen due to their business. Also pray for a lady who left there in an ambulance just as we were called back. I don't know her personal state, but know her leaving the doctor's office in an ambulance should call us to prayer on her behalf.
Thank you all for the abundance of prayers you've risen up on our behalf these past months. Now please pray us through another one.
Oh, one more thing. My cousin is going through treatment for breast cancer. She's a young mom (younger than me) and needs our prayers both physically and financially. Those of you who are local and would like to help, I can email you a flyer of the benefit coming up for her.
Love you guys! Remember prayer works. We've seen it before and we'll see it again.
Emmanuel, GOD WITH US...

Renewed Beginnings (Alli update)

Today marked the start of renewed beginnings for Alli, her first day back at recess.
She was so excited I just had to share some images with you. Thanks again for all your prayers!

Alli's update

Wed. we went for Alli's CT scan. The doctor had informed us that we weren't looking for a healed head. With the extent of her fractures, that was asking too much. They started by showing me the 3D imaging of her CT scan back whem she fell. I had not seen these images before and was not prepared for what I saw. Alli's fractures had been far worse than I had understood. Alli's fractures had actually went all the way down to the base of her head at her neck and all the way forward to the front, just before the forehead. Then above the right ear was where the fractures had separated and the skull had caved in in that area. It was heart breaking to see. Then the doctor proceeded to pull up the current scan and started searching through the layers, twisting, turning, flipping, scanning...hmm..."what is it?" I inquire. "That's just it," he responds, "It's not".
Huh? "Mrs. , most doctors would have sent her straight to surgery when she fell, and no one would expect to see this. Look here. This is where the damage is supposed to be." I don't see anything but not wanting to look stupid, I continue to pretend to study the images. Finally, he sits back and reports, "I just can't find it. You should be able to see a line or something, but there's nothing. Even the caved in section has risen up and smoothed over, and that just doesn't happen on its on with this level of severity."
That's right. It doesn't happen on its own. But through the combined prayers of all who read this blog and the mercy of a loving Father, it has happened.
The doctor plays with Alli a few minutes showing her her eye ball sockets on the computer and stuff, then sits back and says, "There's nothing left for me to do. It's all been done." The Great Physician has taken care of His patient, restored her to health, and left me shouting hallelujah praises amidst my blubbering tears of joy.I still cry at every song on the radio, even some random song on a pharmacy radio that mentions a little girl. That's right. I'm the lady you see blubbering on the cold med isle. Speaking of which, keep me in your prayers. I was feeling rough all week and finally went to the doctor today to find out I have bronchitis and am now sucking down antibiotics and have been assigned bed rest until Monday. What fun! (please note the sarcasm in my voice)
LOVE YOU ALL & JOIN ME IN PRAISING OUR SAVIOUR FOR THIS GREAT WORK HE HAS DONE IN ALLI FAITH!
Greater is He that is in me. Greater is He that is in me. Greater is He that is in me, than he that is in the world.
We just had to stand still and let God move because "He ain't never done me nothing, done me nothing but good!" (Excuse the poor grammar, just quoting the song!)

Snow in the South? (& Alli update)

First an apology-I've had some sweet friends remind me that I've been slacking in keeping you all updated. So, I'm sorry. The good news is that, for the most part, no news has been good news. Alli has not had a seizure since the end of November, praise be to God! And for the month of December, Alli did remarkably well with only 1 or 2 headaches and no other noticed side effects. But for the past two weeks, she has started a few things that have made me start taking notes again for the neurosurgeon and neurologist. Just within the past 2 weeks, Alli has started the following:
-potty accidents (both ways, although she's been potty trained a yr or more)
-severe clingyness
-baby talk (some mornings she will awake and baby talk every word for an entire day until bedtime, no pattern noticed)
-headaches returning, keeps bumping head on things/falling down
We return to The Children's Hospital Feb 4th for an updated CT scan and to visit the neurosurgeon. They'll be looking for some indication of the open fractures growing toward each other in efforts of eventually closing. If no noted positive change (there was none in Nov's test), then we'll start entertaining her options (possible surgery).
I humbly ask that you join us in prayer for God's will to be done in our lives. I do not ask for miraculous healing, though I know He can. My prayer for her was answered the night of the accident. I told My Lord that night that I didn't care how it left her or what difficult path would lie ahead for us, if He would just let me keep her for a while longer. He heard my prayer and He saved her life that night. So now I humbly pray for peace in whatever road lies ahead for us. If surgery is her chosen path, then we pray for strength and provision. I'm reminded of the words my pastor had told me who dedicated her to the Lord. "Remember, she's a loaner," he said. "We get the high honor being a part of their journey. But they belong to Him." That's so true, but not easy for a momma to swallow. The best I can do is love her while she's mine, and pray God's idea was a LONG TERM LEASE! I have high soaring dreams of this time in her life being an amazing testimony for her later in life. Faith has been our song, and I trust and know it has not been in vain...
Now on to the snow before I turn slushy myself! Yes that's right my friends, there was white stuff amongst us the 20th. Nothing big, though around here folks ran for their milk and bread (tho I've never gotten that- why go buy the two things that are going to spoil the fastest?), delayed schools, and all the other winter warning things that make the northerners laugh at us (I know you do!). But though short lived, we enjoyed our wintery dusting land all the same!

Alli update week before Christmas

Wow! Christmas is so close. And I must say I have received gifts early this year. Although I may be feeling stressed and a bit overwhelmed by Christmas to-do's, intermingled with Dr. appts and bills, I was reminded last night in conversation with our oldest, that these things simply are not my problem. The Christmas to-do are panning out, just like they always do. The doctor's appts come & go, just like they always do (although at today's we sat in the waiting room for 1 solid hour before our name was ever called). And the bills, well, the bills are the result of the "earth shaking" God allowed to come into our lives. He knew before the formation of me in my mother's womb, that my own daughter would travel this difficult road. He knew the details of that heart breaking night before I ever selected a name for her. And he knew all the doctor visits that would follow, and had already aligned godly men and women, into whom He had given knowledge of His great Creation, to aid in her care taking and recovery. So the bills? Well they're His to worry about, not mine. I will trust Him to provide, just as He always has, and will trust Him to use my fishes and loaves to feed the five thousand. I have seen Him make order of the chaos. I've seen Him turn my mourning into laughter. And I will dance in the splendor of His holiness, for great things He hath done for, in, and through me.

So as I've said, I've already received great Christmas gifts this year. Today, Alli is my walking miracle who sings her Jesus songs and writes her name. Today Alli is 3 weeks, 2 days without a seizure. Today, we celebrated the birthday of the King of Kings with our little friends at school who love us and gird us in prayer. Today, I heard all four of my girls say, "I love you". Today, I received encouragement from 3 different friends. Today I received a Christmas card from someone I thought was lost forever that said "we love you guys". Today I had opportunity to encourage a friend. Today, my Savior loves, my Savior lives, my Savior is there for me. Today, I thanked God for you who have prayed for us and lifted us up during this time in our lives.
For those of you who have my #, call it and listen to my voice mail. And rejoice with me at what you hear...

Praise Report (Alli update)

This evening marks 2 weeks without a seizure! We are very encouraged and praying that there will be no more. Please continue to lift Alli up in your prayers in her recovery. We know it is by God's grace alone that she is still here and that she is recovering so beautifully.
This Christmas feels very different for me. The magnitude of what God gave for us really strikes me this year. The preciousness of the small Child who grew into Man who would ultimately give His very life for people who didn't deserve His love. Knowing that on the cross, He saw me and knew how much I'd need Him .
Sometimes I just sit and marvel and quite honestly get tickled at the things of God. How every event in our lives lead us up to this very moment, knowing we would be right here going through these very things we now endure. And I realize we should never "dream" of going back and doing things differently. God knew where we'd be each day, and He used every little thing (good and bad) that we've gone through to mold us into who we are today. And it's in our trials, tribulations, and struggles that God heats the fire, sifts us of our impurities and, if we'll just submit to Him, molds us to reflect more of His image, developing and nurturing our spirits so that we can be more fit for the tasks ahead. He will use our heartaches to reach others if we continue to Glorify His Name and allow His Spirit to flow through us and reach others. When others see us, they should see Christ shining through us, unable to be hidden by grief or despair. For if they don't see Christ, who then will they see?
Take my life, and let me be, a living prayer, my God to thee.

No news is good news (Alli update)

Alli has gone one week and 2 days without a seizure and we are very encouraged. She did, however, have a lovely fit Tue when having to leave her best friend to go home and then again this morning because her best bud is under the weather and not at school (Feel better K, we need you!). Our big Mrs. Alli said, "Yep, little Alli's back!" And we all had a good laugh.
I just wanted to let you all know how well Alli has done over the past week and thank you for continuing to pray for her. We pray that she will have no more seizures and that God will receive Glory for her healing. I also need to ask you to continue to pray for the healing that needs to take place in her skull to avoid surgery. The last testing back in early November showed the skull fractures still separated. We're praying that they will start to heal towards each other properly and that Alli will not have to undergo surgery. We'll have another CT scan sometime this month to check on her progress.
Thanks for remembering me in my embarrassing tumble. I'm feeling much better and am able to maintain myself with a bit of Tylenol.
Also please pray for some friends of mine who are going through trials. Pray for comfort, peace, and wisdom as they seek God's guidance for their lives. Pray they will feel the love of God's people around them and more importantly feel the presence of the Holy Spirit upon their lives. And pray for their protection that angels would encompass round about them.
Thank you for being faithful in your prayers. As this Christmas season is upon us, reflect on your Blessings, for they are many. Forget not the greatest Gift of all, and neglect not the gift that lie within you. Use the ability God has placed within you to be a light for Christ. And spend time with the people you love, for each day truly is a priceless gift.

Alli update (and me too, I guess)

Alli had a good appt with the neurologist today. No new news, just trying to offer tips to help us manage seizure activity. If the seizures increase, worsen, or are still lingering after 6 months, then we'll start on a seizure med that's also used for migranes. But at this point, we're going to try to avoid it because of the side affects that come along with the medication. We've made it one full week today without an episode (praise the Lord!)
For anyone who missed "America's stupidest moments", I fell at the ginhouse and I am so sore I don't want to move. I unknowingly stepped on a coke flat tray with sheet metal under it, and went skating across the floor and ultimately crashed between 2 saws. I think I must have hit the table saw because my head hurt terribly, and now my shoulders and neck muscles are really giving me a fit. I have a knot on my left leg and my left arm between the wrist and elbow hurts like when you've hit the volley ball wrong. The muscles are tender and hurt doing things like driving or trying to carry something. At the time, my pride was hurt worse than anything, now I just hurt (forget the pride).
Sorry this is so short but I'm going to try to lay very still now...Please keep praying for us as insult seems to add to injury around here these days.
By the way, Happy December everyone!

Update on Alli

Sorry we haven't updated in a few days, but no news has been good news. Alli made it almost one full week without a seizure, but yesterday afternoon had another episode after a very busy day at school. I was fortunate to get to converse directly with the pediatric neurologist today about Alli and her testing. No "classic" seizures were picked up, but an interesting episode of pain that turned violent followed by the classic seizure stares and sleep. At this point they're thinking that Alli's episodes may be induced by a sudden onset of pain from her head injury. The good news is, no seizure meds nor expected long term condition. The bad news is, the only treatment really is pain meds but you don't know to give until the episode starts, and by the time the meds hit her system good, the episode is over. So basically, she'll just have to suffer with them until her head heals at which point we pray they will have stopped. Because her skull fractures have shown no signs of healing yet, another CT scan will be done in Dec. There's still a chance that if they don't heal towards each other, some intervention could be required. They say she's on a "see-saw" age of wanting to do surgery or it being able to heal on it's own. The big factor is whether the fractures will heal towards each other or continue to separate.
To encourage us all though, most of the time, you see the same ole sweet Alli. Unfortunately for us though, there have been times of hitting, biting, screaming, downright defiance, and of course the episodes we've been talking about. None of this was normal behavior of Alli before and is assumed to all be stemming from head pain and "not normal" feelings and signals her body is currently giving her.
Well Happy Thanksgiving to all you, especially my Nashville'd nephew!
My daughter #2 was instrumental in starting a family tradition where we pass around the fall-adorned Thanksgiving spoon just before meal prayer and each vocalize what we're thankful for this year. Mine may be a little long this year...
I could not be more thankful than I am this particular Thanksgiving. God has been so gracious to us through this new path for us. Thank you Lord for seeing fit to spare my little one's life.
I'm especially thankful to my LE folks who have loved on me constantly. You guys are so precious and dear to us and I can't begin to express my gratitude for what you did this past weekend. You guys are awesome. I love you, and really do consider you part of my family.
To my J in Fl, we still love you, still miss you, and still pray for you often (Bug wouldn't dare let us forget!) I am so thankful for your friendship!
To my sweet friend E, you and your family are an answer to many prayers for our family. Our friendship bloomed in a time where I really needed a friend, and it was just perks that you had girls and a ministry minded husband to compliment my own herd. We are so blessed by your friendship and hope to be old folks sitting around the card table with you one day!
To my family, friends, & people who just tolerate me...I can't say thank you to God enough for the honor to be in your lives. You each have touched my heart in countless ways, many I have named here over the past month. I have prayer warriors, crying partners, laughing buddies, old faithfuls, new made friends for life and encouraging words all around me. You guys are all such a blessing to me, really.
So truly, a Blessed Thanksgiving to you all, and I pray that one day I'll be able to be a part of heaping Blessings upon you for all you have done for us during this time. God Bless, Jesus lead, and Holy Spirit whisper. I'll talk with you all again after I've reached my limit on mom's dressing and gravy!

Home again (Alli update Tue)

This round of testing is complete, so we've returned home. Alli's blood work showed her CRP level has dropped to 9, so give God Glory. Her hematocrit level is also coming back up, another praise. We've settled in back home, best we could, and so far so good for Alli.
As before, God has been good to us. The EEG tech was awesome with Alli, and so caring. These 24 hr. EEGs usually take upwards of 2 wks to get back results, but he said he'd go ahead and read it today. I couldn't believe he was taking time out of his schedule like that for us. He seemed to really take a liking to Alli. He also has 4 children, so maybe it was just mercy as a fellow parent! Lord thank You for M.J.E. and the role you use him in to reach families for You.
Sadly, we did return home to find our oldest has been running fever. She's in one of "mom's homemade sick beds" on our couch feeling puney. Please pray this would not float throughout our family, kicking us while we're down.
I know I've said it before, but we so very much have appreciated each prayer and concern lifted up on our behalf. I know God hears. I see it in action each day. As much of a uncertain and sometimes frightening time as this has been, God has remained constant and has shown Himself to us each day of this asperity. As I've said before, I've seen "God things" from the very moment she fell. And they've continued each day since, sometimes in ways that only I would know it was a love note from God. The ones most recent? Something as simple as meatloaf and mashed potatoes I had planned to make shortly after the accident, but have not had time to. What did the hospital volunteer drop by my room yesterday? A plate of meatloaf and mashed potatoes! From who? You know my answer. And I could sit here endlessly naming ways God has shown up or slipped love notes to us while on this darkened journey. Many times a little love note just to say, yep, I'm still here, and yep, I'm paying attention. Like my hubby's associate newsletter that simply said, "Emmanuel, God with us. That is the message that we must keep alive during these difficult times." Wow. Or a very special blessing from my dear friends the T's, that just might obliviate a recent prayer request I had not even been able to find the words for.
God hears our prayers. And He truly hears the grownings of our hearts when we are without words. I must say I feel so incredibly unworthy of the Love pouring over me during this time. And I am forever humbled by this touch from the Master's Hand. And you all have been such a big part of this miracle in our lives through your prayers and support. God Bless you, and God return to you, in a mighty way, the love you have shown to us during this time.

Testing, testing, testing...(Alli update)

They're repeating CPC and CRP blood tests later today. Alli is resting right now. She had an episode after lunch today where she became violent. I've never seen that before. Afterward she went into the blank stare, then climbed into my lap and went to sleep and has been sleeping for hours now. So I wonder if she may have had a seizure. Whatever it was, I didn't like it!
As usual, the staff here is wonderful. Hubby had to return to work, so mom is here with me. She's fairing well! Crocheting of course.
The EEG tech told us we'd be here overnight and based on what the readouts look like in the morning, he may decide to leave it hooked up another 24. But we won't know that until probably lunch time tomorrow.
As always, thanks for your prayers and support. The sleep deprivation was tough, but God has been gracious. My blessed aunt who lives in the area brought us lunch today (love you dear!) and then I took a nap while mom hovered over Alli for me.
I wonder if they'll let me have a copy of the tape for memorabilia? No scrap booking that one J!
Plug to E, thanks for caring for my girls! Kiss them or spank them, or whatever it is they need for me and tell them I love them and miss them.
Love to everyone! Continue to pray. With her sleeping so hard now, this may turn into an UP night.

We interrupt this hospitalization...

for a golf game? Bridge anyone?
They've decided to send us home for the weekend and report back on Monday morning for the 24 hr. EEG. Some of the staff needed for testing won't be here over the weekend, so they have decided to let us go home for a "breather" and come back bright and early Monday morning to resume testing. We'll be sleep depriving on Sun. in preparation for the tests, so keep us in your prayers. Although this will be a lot of travel for us going home and then back here Monday, we are excited about going home to see our girls for a few days.

More testing (Alli Friday AM update)

Testing today may keep us from using our cell phones. The last EEG, we had to power off our phones, so that may be the case today as well. Not sure though.
On another note, her bloodwork from yesterday is back. Her CRP level is 126, and it's supposed to be less than 4. So there's definitely something hiding out in her body. Infectious disease should be coming around to decide how to find what's hiding out in there that initial blood work, urinalysis, Xray, MRI, and spinal tap have not seen.
Keep praying as this should be a long day. We'll update as soon as we're allowed to use our devices again.

Alli update Thur night

More blood work was done today. No fever since lunch time so that's a great improvement. Alli had a real "touch me not" episode around supper time which was hard for the hubby and I.
Tomorrow morning she'll be rewired (like the last picture post) for a 24 hr. EEG to run in hopes of catching one of her episodes. It will run all tomorrow and then through the night with some sleep depriving again. There are a few variables that are a down side with this test. One is that we can't leave the room for 24 hrs. because of the video system that will be in place to record her behavior along with the EEG graphing. Another con is that by being in the room all that time, her activity level will be limited, and all of her episodes have followed a period of physical activity. Because of this, we still may not catch one of them and go home on assumptions. If that's the case, then we're supposed to carry around a video camera, recording her, trying to catch the next one so the neurologist can see one for himself. This really makes us hope the 24 hr EEG will catch one so we can have their data to confirm what we've been experiencing. We had some medical personnel witness last night's episode, but not the neurologist. He says there is a chance that this isn't seizures, but an onset of pain from the injury that she can't handle and then goes into a temp. shutdown, looking like a seizure. It was called a vega response, I think (I may not be remembering that term correctly). Anyway, that's why he really wants to catch her on video and EEG together to try to prove which is causing the seizure behavior, whether it be actual seizure or intense pain that her brain can't handle. Quite honestly, they don't sound much different to me.
Anyway, I was reminded tonight by the neurosurgeon (notice we have a neurologist and a neurosurgeon, and they are quite different) that if the EEG doesn't show a seizure, that only means that she's not having a seizure during the test. Proving it isn't necessarily our purpose here. That would just present proof of what we already knew, but what we as Christians have to remember that our answers come from God. All this testing may not give us any concrete evidence to go on because of all the variables. But God will give us answers, in His timing, and the only variable is our faith-our hope and trust in Him.
Good night and God Bless. Pray that we all handle being confined to this room all day okay, especially Alli who's gotten used to going to see the fishies each day since we've been here. Also, her sleep tonight has been quite restless. Hubby on the other hand is snoozing just like at home- in the chair, feet propped up, computer in lap, head back, mouth open. I'll probably receive some kind of punking for saying that later! Too bad I didn't have a picture...

Alli update Thurs noon

Alli's EEG did not show any immediate malfunctioning in the brain. However, Alli did not fall into a deep sleep as they anticipated so results were from awake and dosing screenings. Last night she had another seizure while the nurse was in the room. Today the doctor said they may order a video EEG which would have her hooked to a monitor for 24 hrs and a video on her to compare her behavior to the readouts. Her episodes are always late afternoon/early evening after activity, so this is another reason to want to do a 24 hr monitor. Her fever broke around 4 this morning, but she is starting to show signs of creeping back up. They want her fever free for 24 hrs. before discharging and are concerned at how it spikes, goes away, spikes, goes away. They are considering calling in the infectious disease group because initial testings aren't picking up anything and they think there's a possibility that a bacteria could be hiding out somewhere in the body.
Alli is well occupied with fun by the child life program here and their playroom. She does not have a good appetite right now though, and we're having to pretty much make her eat what she does take in. The hubby and I are entertained by their pool table (and our lack of skill!) but now have to go out for food because their food voucher program has stopped and they don't do courtesy trays like back home. Usually the hubby goes out & grabs something for us while I hang out with Alli. The staff here is wonderful and has offered many times to sit with Alli while we "take a break", but you know me, I can't make myself leave her. I know some of you are wanting to visit, but it is advised against until this fever source is tracked down.
Thank you again for your continued prayers and support. God is still good and carries as during this time. I must admit, just being away and getting to sit down and watch tv or play a game with my hubby has been a very welcomed return. Most of you know that kind of time has been very little since the start of ginhouse. So see, God sends little treats amongst our trials, and He knows our hearts desires and sends us little love notes amidst our tribulations to lift our spirits and show us that He is near. I love God's tact!

Alli update 11-12-2008

Alli had her EEG this morning. Keeping her up during the night wasn't nearly as hard as you may think. And believe it our not, she has been so wired today. She just went to sleep for the first time at 6 pm. She's continued with fever and has had vomiting today. Before uploading this message, at 7 pm she had another seizure while the nurse was in the room. I was very glad that a medical personnel finally witnessed what we have seen.
We should have results from the EEG tomorrow and further testing as well as our tenure should be discussed then. Hopefully we can get some sleep tonight because we are exhausted. I'll be honest and say I haven't answered every phone call today, some we couldn't due to testing. But I assure you, we're reading every email, every blog posting, and listening to messages on my cell. Thank you so much for your prayers and continue to lift our family up before the Lord.

Well, I'm back again...(Alli update)

For anyone who doesn't already know, we're back in the Children's Hospital. Alli has been struggling with seizures, 4 in the last 2 weeks. She's to stay up all night tonight and have an EEG in the morning. Then the rest of our tenure will be determined based on the outcome of those tests. Alli is also running some fever that tests have not shown an answer for yet.
We have the laptop with us and welcome your comments, prayers, and emails. Please continue to pray for us that Alli's care and diagnosis would go in accordance with God's will and plan for our lives.