Chuck’s Story

Site created on May 21, 2017

Welcome to our CaringBridge website. We are using it to keep family and friends updated in one place. We appreciate your support and words of hope and encouragement.  Because some of you may not be aware of the background information leading to the surgery that Chuck underwent Wednesday, May 17, I wanted to explain the situation.  About a year and a half ago, Chuck began to have problems with epilepsy.  He was diagnosed with epilepsy as a college freshman at Georgia Tech and began taking anti-seizure medication.  Throughout the ensuing years, modifications in the particular medication and amounts needed to be altered to keep him seizure free.  About a year and a half ago, his seizure activity increased in spite of the fact that he was on medication and the realization of the fact that he had gotten to a point where the various medications employed were not successful over time.  He was referred to the Emory Clinic for consideration for a method of treatment other than medication.  One hopeful method, laser surgery, could actually be a cure, and another possibility could zap the irregular brain activity before it could become a full-blown seizure (sort of a pace maker for the brain).  Chuck began a regiment of tests and evaluations over a period of about fifteen months.  Finally, he was scheduled for intracranial monitoring to determine the EXACT location of the seizures so that the exact point to be attacked could be determined.  Intracranial monitoring requires surgery to temporarily implant probes in the brain followed by a two-week period of monitoring as a patient at Emory and ending with surgery to remove the probes.

Unfortunately, during the implantation of the probes, a blood vessel was nicked, resulting in bleeding in Chuck’s brain.  This was not discovered until a scan was performed following the surgery.  He was rushed back into surgery.  A scan following that surgery revealed that the bleeding was deeper than the surgeon realized, so Chuck was again returned to surgery.  The brain bleeding and resulting brain swelling have caused damage.  The surgeon routinely does these procedures and has never had this happen before, nor does he know of other cases where this has happened.  The extent of the damage will not be known until time passes, but Chuck will undergo intense therapy and there is the chance that he can have great improvement over time.  We are appealing to the Great Physician to give Chuck a miraculous recovery.  Please join us in praying for that.

Newest Update

Journal entry by Larry Bradley

It’s been a while since the last posting, but good things have been underway.  Chuck has truly built a new and satisfying life for himself.  Our good news is that Chuck and Heather Marsh are engaged to be married.  All involved are very happy and pleased about this situation – Heather’s family and ours.  No definite plans have been set, but possibly a spring wedding is around the corner.  Chuck and Heather have become a happy and contented couple.  They enjoy each other’s company and are regularly involved in fun and interesting activities.  We are thankful.

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. (James 1:17)

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