Dana’s Story

Site created on February 1, 2019

Welcome to our CaringBridge website. We are using it to keep family and friends updated in one place. Thank you for visiting.

Dana began experiencing a strange combination of symptoms in November of 2018. He was experiencing muscle tremors, excessive sweating and difficulty sleeping. After several doctor visits and being hospitalized over Christmas, symptoms continued to escalate and he was taken to the University of Minnesota Medical Center in mid January. On January 22, 2019, Dana was diagnosed with Morvan’s Syndrome. It is a rare autoimmune disorder causing sleep impairment, occasional hallucinations, autonomic problems and severe fatigue. The condition is treatable through steroids, IVIG blood infusions, Plasmapherisis and thoracic surgery to remove a tumor producing the antibodies. The hope is that treatment will alleviate the symptoms and put the disease into remission. 

It will be a long road with lots of unknowns with such a rare disease. We know it is in God’s hands. We thank you all for your support through prayers, visits, meals and words of encouragement.


To clarify: Lisa and Dana's financial situation is stable and they are not in need of donations in CaringBridge and the primary purpose of this site is to centralize the information about Dana's status so Lisa can focus on him rather than maintaining the large group of support they are both blessed with.

Newest Update

November 21, 2021

Journal entry by Lisa Bjerken —

Happy Thanksgiving!

I trust our Lord is watching over you and all those you care about. As for me, rest assured your ongoing reflection of faith, hope and love has long been and continues to be a special blessing!
 
Certainly Lisa and I have been the beneficiary of countless prayers sent on our behalf from you and many others as I have had a remarkable recovery from my 2019 hospitalization. Currently I physically feel great, have no symptoms, take no medications and have no further treatment planned. The only remaining condition I have is being immune compromised and thus not able to develop Covid antibodies in response to the Covid vaccine. I can not look at my scenario and fail to contemplate the power of prayer and the hand of God.
 
Because of your special place in our lives, I want to share with you the following unexpected positive news Lisa and I received from my neurologist last week:
  • Neurologist is now optimistic my previously ongoing immune treatment can end without further incident.
    • My test results no longer detect Morvan’s related antibodies. "Excellent result" per neurologist.
    • This is a change from my previous prognosis which indicated that ongoing immune treatments would always be needed.
  • Neurologist is now optimistic my immune system will return to normal once immune treatment ends and my immune system recovers (maybe another 3-6 months).
  • Once my immune system recovers, future Covid and other vaccinations should work normally.
  • Neurologist does not anticipate a need to see me any longer. No further appointments scheduled.
 
This encouraging news has reminded me that my imagination is limited, particularly when it comes to calling on our Lord in prayer. I never imagined that my recovery might be this complete. 
 
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever!
 
Thanks again for your many prayers on our behalf. We know our God is always faithful. 

Dana and Lisa
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