Stage 1 over!

Here are a couple of blurry pictures of the happy boy the day after Stage 1 of David's DBS surgery for his Dystonia! Everything went well! After arriving at 6 a.m. and getting all checked in, they took him back around 7:30. He was gone for about 2 hours. During that time they implanted the four screws into his skull, then connected each small incision with small staples. While he was still "under", they did an MRI and CT scan. Meanwhile, Marshall and I went back to our hotel for breakfast. As soon as we got back to the hospital, the buzzer they had given us rang. We went back to the recovery room to find a VERY groggy David. It took about 45 min. for him to come out of it. The only real problem was that he complained of his head hurting. But the pain medication they gave him in his IV took care of it quickly. We were able to get on the road back to Memphis shortly after he could sit up. He was wide awake on the way home playing his gameboy for about 2 hours. Then after a big cheeseburger at Cracker Barrel ( he hadn't eaten since the night before), he slept the rest of the way home.
Once again, thank you so much for praying!
Until next week!
Dayna

Stage 1 on Tues.!

Well, the journey with DBS truly begins! We will leave Memphis tomorrow (Mon.) in the afternoon and head to Vanderbilt.
We hope to get to Nashville early enough to do a run through from the hotel to the hospital to make sure we can get there without any glitches Tues. morning since we have to be there soooo early (6:00!). Then we'll get an early dinner so David can get in bed early to have plenty of sleep.
Thankfully he hasn't caught any of the bugs that have been going around! We appreciate all those who have asked about David's surgery. It really means a lot to us knowing there are so many praying and thinking about us.

Aaron's few months at home couldn't have come at a better time! He will be around to help hold down the fort with John and get him to school while we're gone. Over the summer when Hannah was home from school, she was able to help out too, while we went to Nashville for appointments. We see God's hand even in details like that! (It's great having a big family!)

We would appreciate your prayers :

1. that David would fully cooperate so the doctors can place the screws in the exact place.
2. that the doctors would be able to put the screws in the right place.(is that redundant?)
   
3. that David would stay healthy.
4. for traveling safety.
5. that we would be a light to all we come in contact with.
6. that things would run well at home while we're gone.

I'll write again soon!
Thank you so much!
Dayna

Pre - Op and The Doctors

Hello friends!
Pre-op went well yesterday, although they did have to stick David 3 times to get enough blood! He was a real trooper! My main concern right now is that he will stay healthy and well over the next several weeks so we won't have to reschedule the surgeries. I'm even considering keeping him out of school so he won't be around as much sickness. Here is a reminder of the surgery dates:

Oct. 27th - Stage 1 - outpatient for screws
Nov. 4th - Stage 2 - main surgery for implanting the leads in his brain.
Nov. 16th-Stage 3 - battery implanted in his chest.

THE DOCTOR'S

On another note, a dystonia patient has been on The Doctor's TV show recently. You can see a recording of it here:

http://www.thedoctorstv.com/

Stay tuned! The next time I write I'll probably include a buzz hair cut picture!!
Thank you for keeping up with David and for so many who ask about him and are praying for him!
God bless you!

A Glimpse Into the Past

Here is a little glimpse into David's past. Sometimes it's hard to remember that David could walk just a few years ago. I've tried over and over to get the text to line up with the pictures but I can't figure it out. So I'm just going to say that these are pictures mostly starting from middle school. They are pictures of David at Special Olympics events, dancing at Camp Smile with his friend Sarah, swimming without a life-jacket, being the king at his birthday, standing with Hannah, at Clearwater Beach with Grandma, riding a horse at his cousin's house, and at Hannah's high school graduation reception in 2006.

Waiting it out.

Hello friends,

We are just waiting it out until Oct. 13 when David begins this whole process with the pre-op appointment. In the meantime, he has received some very sweet cards, seen movies on brain surgery, watching intently, and remained his sweet, content, and ornery self.

Here is a great article I just ran across that gives some good insight into Dystonia and the surgery.
Please read it and pass it on to others so Dystonia can become a household word and a cure will be that much closer!

Click for the Dystonia and DBS article.

Thank you so much!
Dayna

A Beautiful Video

Hello friends!

I just received this link to a wonderful video that will let you peek into the window of Dystonia.
Please watch it and share it with others. The more we share things like this, the more people will know about and understand Dystonia. The more people understand, the more they will do everything they can to help find a cure.
Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/user/cemiwire

Dayna

Insurance Approved!

Great news! I just heard from the scheduling lady at Vanderbilt that the insurance company has approved David's surgery! The approval happened in a pretty timely manner! From what I've heard from the Dystonia Group, it could have taken a lot longer! Thank you to all who have asked about this and who have been praying! We really appreciate it. Although we have talked to David about the surgery, I'm sure he does not fully understand what all will go on. According to the times they emailed to us, it does look like we will need to spend more nights than expected in Nashville since some of his appointments are early in the morning. Thankfully Aaron is living at home for a little while and will help John hold down the fort while we are gone. So please rejoice with us as we are seeing the Lord work these details out for this important event in David's life!
Dayna