New prayer request

Yesterday while I was at work my mother called me. I usually talk to her after work and I was working late so this was not a surprise that she had called. What did surprise me is the news she had gotten that day.

My step-brother, Bobby, has had serious medical issues since around Christmas. It had started with a fall while he was shoveling snow while home alone. He had been unconscious for some time. When he came through he called 911 due to all the blood and how weak he felt. He had earlier been diagnosed with diabetes so was unsure what had caused the fall...heart attack? low blood sugar? slipped on the ice?

After some time at the hospital and dealing with multiple doctors the consensus was that he had had a small stroke. A lingering side effect from this stroke was seizures. Bobby was having multiple seizures every day. A good day was only two seizures. A bad day was more than five seizures. We knew this was serious partly because of our dog, Frisco, has epilepsy. Frisco has been taking phenobarbital for years for his seizures. With just two small pills a day the veterinarian has been able to control Frisco's seizures to around one every six months. Multiple seizures a day can be very serious, especially since the doctors weren't able to get them under control.

While Bobby and his wife, Terree, have struggled with the seizures (Bobby going on disability since he can't predict when he is going to have a seizure and they are so often and Terree having to drive him everywhere) they have continued to look for other medical options. After switching from Riverside Hospital to Ohio State University Hospital to do some testing (I picture a mean House character with a cane doing all this) Bobby was required to come in for an overnight observation. While he was there he wore all kinds of electrodes to analyze the electrical impulses that can cause or fire because of the seizures. He had several while he was there and Bobby was hoping for help finding the cause.

Mom told me yesterday they have found the cause. Bobby has a brain tumor. It isn't epilepsy. They aren't sure if it is operable. He is going to see a neurological oncologist later this week.

This is devastating news for all of us. Mom has been struggling with her own colon cancer. Grandma has had to under go surgery for lung cancer. Bob, my step-father, has had serious intestinal problems that still are not fully diagnosed. Now Bobby and brain cancer to deal with. Please keep us all in your prayers as we wrestle with not just these on going health issues but understanding, patience, and resilience for all the care givers.

-- Stephanie