my son's first ever seizure, maybe just fever

On Monday night (well actually early in the morning, about 2:30pm), parts of my nine-year-old son's upper body kept contracting while he was sleeping as slight muscle reflexes or spasms. His body temperature was fairly high (fever), but he wasn't sweating. It could've merely been an allergic reaction to eating some Italian bread made from wheat (mere wishful thinking) or to some bug that he could've caught in the hospital (http://project05952381.blogspot.com/2011/01/my-sons-first-ever-seizure-day-of-eeg.html). In either case, I'm worried and close to falling into another rut of depression.

To avoid further surprises, I had my son stay home for the past two days (not that he'd put a fight for missing school). Yesterday morning, he was in bed doing nothing (much too odd for such a hyperactive child), with the TV on but rather just looking out the window. This latter behavior's similar to what he experienced right after his first seizure (http://project05952381.blogspot.com/2010/11/my-sons-first-ever-seizure.html). I just can't tell if he suffered another seizure, due to my lack of experience in this field, but I truly hope not. Last night, he still had a fever, but it'd dissipated considerably by early this morning.

My youngest child (2) started with a similar reaction (fever) last night. Maybe my boys did catch some bug with a 48-hour incubation period somewhere.

Needless to say (type), I've just gone through two more sleepless nights and hence running on pure adrenaline for the past two days. I'm surprised I'm not dead yet. Of course, I can't afford to die leaving my children behind. Life's a bitch and I've got no choice but to deal with it.

my son's first ever seizure, day of EEG day

As I thought, my son didn't want to cooperate with the EEG (http://project05952381.blogspot.com/2011/01/my-sons-first-ever-seizure-health.html). We couldn't do much about it to convince him and/or control him. There's just too little that can be done to convince and/or persuade a scared child who maybe didn't quite understand what was going on.

The technician had to stop trying to put the electrodes on my son's head. She then suggested to have him sedated before the EEG (http://project05952381.blogspot.com/2010/12/my-sons-first-ever-seizure-247.html) as originally suggested by one of the two neurologists we're working with.

It was a waste of time and now we'll just have to reschedule the EEG.

In all, I'm still jumpy and worried although less than half a month ago. Maybe I've grown used to the possibility that my child may develop more medical conditions.

The appointment for a sedated routine EEG that we originally had was canceled because the hospital didn't want sedate him for being a young child. The second appointment was supposed to include a 48-hour observation period (hospital intake), but changed to a routine EEG without sedation, which my son obviously didn't want to cooperate with. A third appointment must now be scheduled to have him sedated prior to the EEG.

my son's first ever seizure, constant fear

It's been about six weeks since my son had a seizure (http://project05952381.blogspot.com/2010/11/my-sons-first-ever-seizure.html). I still feel a high level of panic when I see ambulance close to where we live (much too often as we live by a main route to a city hospital). I immediately think that the EMT are rushing to see my son again. Needless to say (type), I'm scared that my little boy might get another seizure regardless how much so-called experts say that the seizure could've been some random one-off event (http://project05952381.blogspot.com/2010/12/my-sons-first-ever-seizure-so-much-to.html).

I must admit that I can no longer remember clearly all that happened that night -- the seizure, the lights from the ambulance, the ride to the hospital, staying at the hospital about four hours and getting back home in a livery car. Maybe my mind's trying to protect itself "forgetting" this experience in order to hold on to my vanishing sanity (http://project05952381.blogspot.com/2011/01/rants-keeping-myself-busy-sane.html). In all, I don't want to go through it again though I'm stuck with the role of the strong and fearless adult during this and all emergencies. As a matter of fact, as a former member of the Red Cross and someone who wanted to be a medical doctor at some point of my life, I've always been the cold and calculating individual in case of an emergency, but in this case it was my son at risk.

Previously, the only other time that I was constantly scared of ambulances and other first rescue vehicles was right after 9/11 (http://project05952381.blogspot.com/2010/05/fear-vs-paranoia.html). It took me then almost three years to put these fears away.

Said the latter, I'm not sure when I'll be able to get rid of my current fears.

my son's first ever seizure, health insurance

So yesterday's news was that the health insurance wants to pay for a regular EEG this Friday (http://project05952381.blogspot.com/2011/01/my-sons-first-ever-seizure-counting.html) and the 48-hour intake the following Friday (with some obvious catch, as if the purpose was to deny the payment for service). This throws everything off.

my son's first ever seizure, a friend's prayer

Last night, I received an email from a dear friend of mine. I won't post my friend's name since that person knows whom I'm referring to and that's more than enough for us both.

i can't figure out how to comment on your blog... wanted to let you know i'm praying for your son.

My response was from the heart.

As cynical as I can be, I learned not to trust others. At the same time, after living with my father who is a pathological liar (to say the least; http://project05952381.blogspot.com/2010/12/rants-stolen-goods-trust.html), I learned not to say anything I don't feel (different from not lying). Furthermore, as I have stated in my blog, whatever little I post on-line is not to trigger any one's pity or any other emotion (http://project05952381.blogspot.com/2011/01/my-sons-first-ever-seizure-no-ones.html). Needless to say I do appreciate your honest words. As a matter of fact, no one else has bothered. Said all this, thank you for your words and prayers. I do appreciate them. You're a good friend and soul.

It's good to know that some people do care. Thank you my dear friend (once again, no name needed).

my son's first ever seizure, no one's bloody pity

I share and keep a record of my opinion and intimate troubles as I maintain my privacy and that of my children. I want no one's pity and/or charity. Having explained the latter, if you want to pray for my child (http://project05952381.blogspot.com/2011/01/my-sons-first-ever-seizure-counting.html), please do so as God might listen. If you think I'm whining, fuck you and stop reading this blog.

my son's first ever seizure, counting the days for the hospital intake

This Friday I'd take my nine-year-old to a hospital (twelve miles away from where we live) for an 48-hour intake as requested by the neurologist (http://project05952381.blogspot.com/2011/01/my-sons-first-ever-seizure-next-friday.html). The doctor(s), technician(s) and/or nurse(s) will run an EEG and whatever other medical tests while keeping my boy under observation.

I don't know what to expect from and/or what to think about the hospital stay. Will this help my son or not or simply be a charade? Can this finally give us an answer what's really wrong with him and perhaps how to treat him?

Come Monday morning, everything might still be the same -- no answers, the same nightmare, the same pain and desperation. Maybe I've just lost all hope and faith. Maybe my boy will remain sick for the rest of his painful life.

All I know is that right now I'm going through a whole lot of emotions including a slight level of depression as well as some anxiety too (though heavily with the medication I take). At the same time, I'm making a list of the things we might need for the stay and it's become another big expense that I'd not considered doing.

By the way, where's God in all this (http://project05952381.blogspot.com/2011/01/my-sons-first-ever-seizure-what-about.html)? How can I use with this thing called faith to help my son?

Regardless what the answers to all my questions might be, I'll write a log about all the events that'll happen this coming weekend.

some sort of ministry: inter-faith prayer

while responding to someone asking for an advise how to provide assistance and/or guidance in an inter-faith environment... as an ordained minister no less (http://project05952381.blogspot.com/2010/09/some-sort-of-ministry-what-now.html)...

In your particular case, maybe the best way is to approach someone is through conversation using key words like (magic, God, Bible, Christmas, Torah, etc). If the person reacts to any of these words, maybe this person believes a specific faith system (religion). At that point (after getting that person's trust, of course), ask or confirm what you believe that person's faith is. Then pray with him/her. It is pretty much shooting in the dark, but sometimes it works.

my son's first ever seizure, next Friday

So one EEG (http://project05952381.blogspot.com/2010/12/my-sons-first-ever-seizure-247.html) is scheduled for next Friday and Saturday -- perhaps Sunday too. Now it's merely a matter of waiting and killing time.

All I know is that he's going to be bored to death in a hospital so far from home, without a computer to play his on-line games. I bet he's going to hate me by Saturday night.

Joking aside, I honestly don't know what to expect at this point. I'm afraid that any day could be my son's last. Sometimes I wonder if it'd be better for him to be in heaven than on earth suffering. Now I understand why some parents kill their beloved children -- to keep them from suffering.

My little boy doesn't care about school and only wants to play video games on-line as most children do. The big difference's been the pain due to his medical condition.

To make matters worse, after the seizure, he's become much more aggressive -- almost dangerous to his two-year-old brother. Thinking that my sick child might hurt his own baby brother kills me inside. I hate to keep them separate at times and/or under constant watch.

Why does my nine-year-old have to suffer and cry in pain and anxiety? Life's been cruel (a bitch, as the saying goes) to my son and I've got no idea where God fits in it all (http://project05952381.blogspot.com/2011/01/my-sons-first-ever-seizure-what-about.html).

On a related note, this whole situation's taken a toll on my health. I've aged faster than I probably should've. Sometimes I feel pressure on the left side of my chest as if it was a cardiac thrombosis (heart attack), which wouldn't surprise me since heart disease runs in the family.

the Book of Psalms: Prayer of Examen

as I continue my consideration on the Psalms (http://project05952381.blogspot.com/2010/12/book-of-psalms-psalter.html)... the Prayer of Examen, based on Psalm 139:23-24

"Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my thoughts.
See if there is any wickedness in me, and lead me in the way everlasting."

ordained, three months later

Three months after being ordained by the Universal Life Church (http://project05952381.blogspot.com/2010/09/two-years-later-such-charlatan-that-i.html), my little faith's of course still tested. Maybe it'll be for the rest of my life for accepting this responsibility. My problem's that I'm not sure what I'm doing or what to really do. I'm glad the Universal Life Church website has a guide that someone like can definitely use (http://www.themonastery.org/jcontent/training/12-guide-to-divinity). Of course, all this means absolutely nothing I can't even help my own son with prayer and my pains (http://project05952381.blogspot.com/2010/12/my-sons-first-ever-seizure-my-dying-son.html). Maybe I'm just a sham (http://project05952381.blogspot.com/2009/02/me-me-always-me.html).

my son's first ever seizure, my dying son?

As much as doctors and others tell me that my son will be fine (http://project05952381.blogspot.com/2010/12/my-sons-first-ever-seizure-my-sons-last.html), I still feel that a part of my son died that night (http://project05952381.blogspot.com/2010/11/my-sons-first-ever-seizure.html). He seems to have been affected as his over all behavior's changed negatively. He's become more irritable, hyper, depressed, acting "crazy" and even dangerously reckless. I don't want him to end up taking antidepressants and/or anti-psychotics (like I do).

Maybe I'm stupidly exaggerating, but I've got a bad feeling in my mind that all these so-called experts aren't being fully honest with me. Could a next seizure or any other medical incident kill him or leave him in a comma or some other vegetative state? This isn't the type of thoughts that a parent should have. I should be worried about his grades, school and/or any troubles children are expected to do.

Needless to say (type), being so worried and afraid is taking a huge toll on my mental health falling in and out of depression (http://project05952381.blogspot.com/2010/12/blue-christmas-mmx-finally-breaking.html) or anxiety. I hope my mind's just making a sick joke on me. Nevertheless, at the end of the day, I still wonder if there's anything I could do to stop my son's health from deteriorating more. If anyone cares to know, I love my son and I'm scared to death for his health, quality of life and his life in general (any possibility of death, vegetative state, etc).

For now, at least, my son might have to spend a night or two in a hospital for an EEG and whatever other test the neurologist orders. This means that I'd have to take a couple days from work and be by his side. All I know is that he'll be bored and in a rotten mood.

For some reason, I had the stupid idea of sending an email like the text above to my mother. She responded first thing this morning. One part of her email said that my son came to earth to accomplish a task -- allowing me to be a father to him. Hence if he were to die from any or all his medical condition or simply at a young age, I'd have an angel in heaven. This statement absolutely sucks!

IN ALL, I JUST HOPE I'M STUPIDLY BLOODY WRONG!

response to "a heart prayer" by @gritandglory

My friend Alece (@gritandglory) wrote the following prayer on her blog (http://www.gritandglory.com/2010/11/15/a-heart-prayer/).

I'm a mess.
I'm nothing and have nothing:
make something of me.

Since she asked to add to it, the following is what I'd add.

Spare me the pain I feel.
Help me care for ______ (name of person dear to you).

Said all the latter, this quick prayer would be.

I'm a mess.
I'm nothing and have nothing:
make something of me.
Spare me the pain I feel.
Help me care for my sick child.

Thank you, Alece. You rock!

Blue Christmas (MMX) - revisited

So I survived my pains, sorrows, depression and other demons (http://project05952381.blogspot.com/2010/12/blue-christmas-mmx-aftershock.html). Now all I need to do now's to survive the rest of the bloody HOLIDAY season -- loneliness, hypocrisy, commercialism, stupid TV specials and joyful faces.

At least, I'll spend some quality time this CHRISTMAS helping with two of the three main services. Well I'll try to enjoy some time with my kids too.

Blue Christmas (MMX): the aftershock

As hard as I strongly doubted for a while my so-called blind faith that God will actually heal my sick little boy, I feel much calmer after the 47-minute worship service (http://project05952381.blogspot.com/2010/12/blue-christmas-mmx-finally-breaking.html). Maybe it was the psychological factor of being vulnerable while venting and weeping in the company of someone who cared for me enough to be by my side (two pastors, the second several minutes after the first one) in a sheltered environment (the church I go to) -- hence being a mere placebo effect of feeling a higher power and protection. Of course, as a Christian, the best response would be that it was the grace and mercy of God on me, to which I'm fairly more inclined to believe. I'm nonetheless aware and deeply concerned of the possible risks and dangers that child may face from now on with his new medical condition (http://project05952381.blogspot.com/2010/11/my-sons-first-ever-seizure.html).

my son's first ever seizure, my son's last hours?

I'm reminded over and over that my son might die from seizures (http://project05952381.blogspot.com/2010/11/my-sons-first-ever-seizure.html). I already saw him practically dead (motionless, unresponsive, unconscious, vegetative, etc) that night as I held him in my arms. I hate to think that my little boy could die (http://project05952381.blogspot.com/2010/12/my-sons-first-ever-seizure-247.html) -- worse off in such a painful manner. It hurts too much to even think about it and not knowing what I can do to help (http://project05952381.blogspot.com/2010/12/my-sons-first-ever-seizure-eve-of.html). Maybe I just have to take each day as if it was his last and make the best of it. Whatever the case, this desperation's chocking the life out of me and destroying whatever's left of my sanity.

my son's first ever seizure, daddy bye bye

Those seem to be the first words that my nine-year-old says for me as of late when I'm back from work. It's as if he won't let me in without having candy or chips or some other form of sweets for him (http://project05952381.blogspot.com/2010/12/my-sons-first-ever-seizure-laughing-in.html). Of course, he never wants to share with his two year old brother.

my son's first ever seizure, eve of winter tears

In these cold days in the eve of winter, I've got to be careful not to think of son's health conditions. Tears freeze and mucus only becomes a mess.

What hurts most is the stupid behavior of many -- including so-called experts -- as they see my son as a second-class human not worth saving or healing (http://project05952381.blogspot.com/2010/12/my-sons-first-ever-seizure-so-much-to.html). This attitude's offensive to my son and it angers me, but I've got to keep my emotions and actions on check. After all, I wouldn't be able to do much from a jail cell.

Neo-Pagan Christianity

Especially in the environment that I grew up in, Pagan traditions co-existed with Christian (Catholic) ones. I don't simply refer to celebrating the birth of the Christ in December -- whether the Baby Jesus was born in December or some other month as contested by scholars as a possible alteration of the date by the early Church.

There were many superstitions that were incorporated into the Christian (maybe more into the Catholic) practice and doctrine. Maybe this is the true way that religion gets transformed through out time to accommodate Pagan beliefs of the masses.

Whatever the case, the practice of Christianity that I've seen forming around me is somewhat of a Neo-Pagan/Christian doctrine, in which people believe in God but don't trust the Church all the while doing as they please. For example, there are Christians who drink and/or do drugs, sleep around (recreational sex or looking for love) and/or refuse to go to any church (biggest group) all the while believing in God and even praying. This behavior would've been seen as HERETIC and even SATANIC several years ago (before I was born, most likely, great thing about being born after the hippie era). Nowadays this over all behavior's become part of most cultures in the Western world and hence tolerated by the Church.

As a matter of fact, most (99.8%) of the people I know (single, never married, separated or divorced) have been in a sexual relation with someone at least once at some point of their lives. Most of these people are good law-abiding citizens, good people in all. Of course, about more than half of this group have no desire to go to a church of any sort, but still consider themselves Christians or religious (myself included for about thirteen years).

my son's first ever seizure, burning adrenaline & running on empty

I haven't slept well for the past eight days or so. I keep waking up to check on my son (http://project05952381.blogspot.com/2010/11/my-sons-first-ever-seizure.html). In the past two days, I've started feeling the effects of lack of continuous sleep (http://project05952381.blogspot.com/2010/12/my-sons-first-ever-seizure-week-later.html). Maybe I just worry too much for nothing -- then again maybe not (http://project05952381.blogspot.com/2010/12/earth-heaven.html).