Little update on Mr. Jake. I’ll get the bad out of the way first. The day after Valentine’s Day Jake had a 5-minute seizure followed by a 45-minute seizure that was only stopped because I called 911. For those witnessing the event, it was a terrifying and traumatic 45 minutes.

After the never-ending seizure, his body was paralyzed. The precious little movement he could do before was gone. I didn’t know if it would come back. I didn’t realize how much the little movement he had left after the accident meant to me until it was gone. But thankfully he got it back and he is back to squeezing my finger and moving his arm and leg.

About 6 days later he had a 4-minute seizure in the early hours of the morning. The night before this seizure I was reading a CaringBridge update of another brain-injured individual. His dad related how they had found their son to have less frequent seizures and increased wanted behavior (smiling for example) by lowering their son’s seizure medication. This was something I had wanted to do with Jake for a while, but I have been focused on lowering another one of Jake’s medications first. Jake had a follow-up appointment scheduled with his doctor the next day, so I’d discuss it with him then. Well as it turned out the doctor suggested lowering the seizure medication before I said a word, so I of course agreed. Lowering the other med will have to be put on hold while this tapering happens but I’m super excited because the fewer meds the better in my opinion. It may seem counterintuitive to some to lower a seizure medication if someone is at risk for seizures, but this medication can become toxic even after someone has been taking it awhile. The doctor explained all about thresholds and whatnot. Long story short Jake isn’t tolerating the current dose, and we are going to lower it. At least that is the theory we are going to test. 

So anyway, in other news, when people ask me how Jake is doing the biggest thing, I can say is that he seems to be very happy. He smiles a lot. Has a pleasant demeanor and look to his face most days. He laughs much more now. And considering his circumstances if he’s happy, I’m happy. If he seems content, I’ll take it.

I think Jake is happy because he’s home, always around his family and his doggies, and stays stimulated but balanced with good consistent rest and routines. He’s included. He’s paid attention to. He’s shown he is not a burden. He’s talked to. He’s cared for. He’s very much loved by his crazy wife. I give him kisses all the time and tell him every day that he is the most handsome man on the planet. I do my best and honestly, sometimes my best is lacking because it’s hard or I’m tired or this job is way above my pay grade, and I don’t know at all what I’m doing but he’s better off with me than anywhere else.

The best update for me is that Jake gives me kisses again. This started probably within the last month or two. At first, I wasn’t sure, but I kept testing it and sure enough, he puckers those lips. I even have witnesses. Kissing on command (puckering his lips when I put my lips to his) shows me there are some working neurons in there. I hadn’t received a kiss in over a year so to get those back this year has been the best gift.

That’s all for now.

Hugs,

Kelli