Life is Grand

Well a lot has happened this past year and can honestly say that my consistency & hardheadedness have started to payoff in big ways. I’m coming upon my 3 year anniversary of my surgery as well as being seizure free. I’m proud to announce that I have graduated from Medix College of Smyrna, GA in the Emergency Medical Technician – Intermediate 85 program as well as successfully completing  both cognitive and psychomotor exams of National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) #s and gained my States of Georgia EMT-I 85 License #s. Also have found gainful employment with a private ambulance service located in Roswell, GA by North Fulton Regional Medical Center called Central EMS as an EMT-I. I’m also proud to announce that I will be a father to a beautiful baby girl that will be here around June 12th. I can’t wait to hold my baby girl in my arms and watch her grow into an amazing beautiful young girl.

First day back to work since the headache

So its been 45 days since this headache/pressure started (Friday May 28, 2010) but I returned back to work yesterday, Sunday, for my first day back, and I’m not going to lie, the day went pretty well, but I probably overdid it just a tad, cause my head was and still is killing me, it seems like the more activity I do the worse it gets. I have a lot of important dates coming up in the next couple of weeks, details to follow,  but I just wanted to blog a little and maybe help relieve some of this stress that I’m feeling due to this headache that is keeping me from being able to sleep. Every time I lay my head down I get this pulsating pain/pressure that wraps around the back of my head, down my neck and into my back. Can’t wait til my appointment with my new Neurosurgeon at Emory Hospital @ John’s Creek. More details to come as the dates get closer.

The lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name’ Sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: For thou art with me: Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies; Thou annointest my head with oil; My cup runneth over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Amen

almost 3 weeks of this headache

Well this coming Friday (June 18, 2010) will be 3 weeks that I’ve been fighting this headache that I’ve been experiencing since the Friday prior to Memorial Day. I’ve been in the ER multiple times, back down to MCG (Medical College of GA) to my Neurologist, Dr Murro, that dealt with my Epilepsy pre and post surgical, he performed an LP (Lumbar Puncture) and a neurological assessment to see if it could be the return of my Epilepsy after being seizure free for 2 yrs on May 30th. Good news is they do not believe this headache to have anything to do with seizures or my epilepsy, but haven’t ruled out the scaring of the brain resulting from the surgery in “08,  (which I’ll have an MRI performed on Tuesday as of right now unless anything changes) I have had a CT Scan done that showed no obvious bleeding around the brain which was a little bit of relief but just makes it that much longer before we’ll have a diagnosis. I’ve been placed on imitrex, thinking it was migraines, but no luck, I’ve been put on phenergan to help, and again no luck, I’ve been placed on multiple other Rx, with no luck of relief. So whats next, all I can say is a BP (Blood Pressure) of 174 over 94 is not a good sign when you usually don’t have Hypertension (High BP). I’ll keep everyone updated as results and any hope of a diagnosis are found. All I know is I’ve just purchased a brand new vehicle and not being able to work is putting a lot of stress on me, worrying that I’m going to loose my job, which will result in me loosing the car. I would also love to just to return to work and school and get on with my normal life that I’ve taken for granted the past 2 yrs since the surgery and Lord please forgive and help me find the guidance that I’m in badly need of to find, I’m desperately looking for that peaceful place that will allow this headache to vanish. guide me in help me find a peace.

In Him

2 Yr Anniversary of Brain surgery

So its officially been 2 yrs since my anterior temporal lobectomy on May 30th, 2008, since the surgery I have accomplished many things that I never even thought that I would accomplish or at least not anytime soon. I earned my GED in the summer of 2009 and since have started college @ GNTC (Georgia Northwestern Technical College) in the Radiography Associate of Applied Science Degree, started a seasonal job @ Super Target for Christmas 2009 and was taken permanent in February, which enabled me to purchase a brand new 2010 Toyota Corolla Sport in March. I asked the love of my life to marry me on our 2 yr anniversary @ Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament, @ the Atlanta castle at Discover Mills Mall.  I’ve also started my prerequisites for the PA Program that I’m patiently awaiting to enter, and during my wait I’m attending Medix College in the Emergency Medical Technician Certification program, and will graduate in March of 2011.  I’m proud to say that during all of these stressful, happy and enduring events I’ve remained seizure free with no aura’s and absolutely no medications. Now the downside of this is that I’ve been suffering from a major headache for the past week and a half and can’t seem to get rid of it, and everyone keeps telling me that its just my brain remembering what it endured 2 yrs ago, with the Brain Surgery and aseptic meningitis right after the brain surgery. But I hope this finds everyone else doing well, and I will keep everyone updated as much as possible on my progress through classes and my graduation. God Bless, Jeremy

1 Year Anniversary of Brain Surgery

Well it has been exactly 1 whole year since my surgery, on May 30th, 2009, and man does it feel like it was just yesterday. We had a great turnout at the BBQ and bonfire on Saturday the 30th, and I wanted to say thank you to all of you who joined us in celebrating this milestone with my family and I. I have a couple of photos to show of this event. I’m also glad to say that since the surgery, I am still completely seizure free and opening new doors to my life full of adventures and opportunities. Its been an excellent year, even though I had the bumps in the road, its surely been worth it all. To view the pictures go to the left hand side of my Blog and view the pictures in the Vodpod Add on, video titled “Bonfire Slideshow”

BBQ & Bonefire Bash

Hey Everyone we’ve got something scheduled for my 1 yr anniversary coming up this May 30th, its going to be a BBQ and Bonfire at the house with Friends and family, just to enjoy the company and reminisce on the past. There will be food and drinks provided but if you are wanting Alcoholic Drinks and you are of legal age then you will need to BYOB (Bring Your Own Beer). More Information will be given out as the time gets closer the date is set for May 30th 2009 and Time is 3:30pm to most likely around Midnight or later, whenever everyone wants to go, since it is a Saturday. We can’t wait to see everyone to catch up on old times.

God Bless,

Jeremy McCoy

E-Mail sent to Fox 5 Atlanta.

From: Jeremy
Sent: Monday, September 22, 2008 10:49 PM
To: beth.galvin
Subject: My Brain Surgery Story

Dear Mrs Beth Galvin

My name is Jeremy McCoy, I’m 22 yrs of age in live in Acworth, GA. I lived with Epilepsy for 22 yrs of my Life after suffering at a yr old from Viral Encephalitis, which caused Mesial Temporal Lobe Sclerosis on my right temporal lobe. At the age of 13 I was finally diagnosed with Epilepsy and was placed on the beginning of multiple medication trials and went through many Doctors through Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Scottish Rite & Egleston, then transfered throughout the Metro Atlanta trying to find a doctor that would treat my seizures instead of constantly raising the same medication. Finally when I reached the age of 21, I reached a decision of my own, because I realized that after being kicked out of high school due to being an interruption to class due to uncontrolable seizures, not being able to drive, and being on SSI (Disability) I would never have an independent life. So I came to a decision and went to my parents and told them that I wanted to have brain surgery to remove the section of my brain that was causing my seizures, so I started doing research about brain surgery (Anterior temporal Lobectomy) and hospital around the nation and found out that Georgia has one of the nations leading hospital for brain surgery here at home. So I went to my primary care provider and had him transfer me to MCG (Medical College of Georgia) a Level IV Epilepsy Center in Augusta, GA and under the care of Dr Anthony Murro (Neurologist) and Dr. Mark Lee (Neurosurgery).

I’m proud to say that I had 45% of the right side of my brain removed the right temporal lobe and the right hippocampus on May 30th of 2008 and haven’t had any seizures since. Before they looked at Surgery, they made sure I could sustain life with the remaining part of my brain by doing whats called a Wada Test (which looks at Language and Memory) and also used a PET scan to see if the Temporal Lobe is motabolizing sugar (because sugar is what the brain uses as energy) which mine was not which meant that section of the brain was dead already so I did not loose any motor skills, memory, or language functions from my brain surgery, because my left side of my brain had already taken control of all of the functions of the body. I know this was all scrambled and short but I saw that Sully’s Brain Surgery and also that is insurance wasn’t paying for it due to being out of state, so I just wanted to share my story and share the information about MCG (Medical College of Georgia) its a great warming and caring place, my parents drive me 4 1/2 hrs to Augusta to see my doctors every month since September of 2007 and I’ll countiune to do it because of how great of a place it is, I’ve never found a more loving and caring hospital the MCG.

If you want to read exactly how everything went with each Appointment with the Neurologist and the EMU (Epilepsy Monitoring Unit) Before I had my surgery, as I had each brain scan, the wada test, and then When I went infront of the Neuro Board Committee to be approved for surgery, and as I prepared for the surgery please visit my blog at http://livingwithepilepsy.wordpress.com because I know this email was all jumbled up and short, and I hope it makes sense.

Thank you for taking your time and reading

God Bless,

Jeremy McCoy

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From: Beth Galvin
Sent: Tuesday, September 23, 2008 09:52 AM
To: Jeremy R McCoy
Subject: RE: My Brain Surgery Story

Hi Jeremy,

Your story is remarkable.  You sound as if you’re doing really well after your surgery.  Do you mind if I pass along your email to Sully’s parents.  I know they would be encouraged to know you are doing so well after a similar operation to the one Sully is having.

I know the Adamses have done a lot of homework in the years leading up to Sully’s surgery.  They’ve known since he was diagnosed with MHE as an infant that he would one day need the operation when the seizures could no longer be treated with medication.  They are willing to try to raise the money to do the surgery at Johns Hopkins because they feel most comfortable with Dr. Ben Carson, whose team has done a lot of hemispherectomies.

Let me know if it’s okay with you to forward your email to Sully’s parents.  I’m sure they would be eager to hear your story

.

Take care of yourself,

Beth

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From: Jeremy R McCoy
Sent: Tuesday, September 23, 2008 1:15 PM
To: Beth Galvin
Subject: RE: My Brain Surgery Story

Mrs Beth Galvin,

With all means do forward this to sullys parents. If it can inspire, encurage, and most of all help show them the light at the end of the tunnel, because there is a light at the end of it. Which is being seizure free, then all means, and let them know that I give them my prayers and they can email me anytime if they have any questions.

God Bless,

Jeremy McCoy

Results from Doctors Appointment

Well I have great news, everything is looking great, my brain is healing great, and the pain has finally vanished. I’m no longer having any pain or headaches, So I’m doing 150% better and up and moving around. I’m off of my pain pills and able to get around and do the things that I’ve missed so much doing.

The only thing that I’m still having problems with right now is heat and still becoming tired quickly but thats because my bodies not use to not having the steriods in it. So I’ll give it some time and things will be looking better. My next checkup with my Neurologist is in January for my 6 months check up and I’ll have a post to let everyone know how I’m doing between then, I promise.

And Yes thank you to the staff, Dr Mark Lee, and Dr Anthony Murro at MCG (Medical College of Georgia) and for Dr Carpenter my neurophysiologist for making this all possible, and most of all the Lord above. I’m now sittin at almost 2 months and 25 days and counting being seizure free, what a burden off my shoulders

Doctor Appointment Thursday July 3rd 2008 Update

Hey everyone its me Jeremy, I’m guessing still that the surgery went well but I’m just having some of the complications, I’ve been dealing with a very serve headache and the Dr’s are a little worried about it but they allowed me to come back home but they went up on my steroids to see if we could burn the inflammation out of the brain (which is Normal they say, for people who have had brain surgery) but the only way to get rid of it is to be on high dosage of steroids, which is rough on emotions and confusions (which not like I didn’t already have due to the surgery:). If the home steroids don’t do it then I have another Check up with the Neurosurgeon on July 22 that performed the surgery and they said they will probably admit me back into the hospital when i go down there to place me back on IV (Intravenous) steroid therapy to burn the aseptic meningitis, this is inflammation of the lining of the brain (meninges) which is the same thing i was admitted for on June 13-19th after the surgery. So please keep me in your prayers and I’ll keep you updated on how things are going. Hope to talk to you soon. I just don’t understand but again I’m proud to say I’m still seizure free after the surgery that was on May 30th 2008 and I couldn’t ask for anything else. I love my doctors at MCG and now we’re just working on getting rid of the headaches and I’m a little scared, is this normal in the doctors office I had a blood Pressure of 165 over 35 I think that’s what it was, so now we’re having to watch my blood pressure and my temperature because everything seems to be missing up. Please. please please keep me in your prayers.

God Bless Always

Destruction over Walgreens

Medical Update

Just wanted to let everyone know how things have progressed. On Thursday the 12th Jeremy woke up with a very bad headache which the pain medicine would not relieve then at about 8:00 PM he started throwing up. I then took him to Cartersville Medical where the did a CT Scan which showed inflammation on the spinal fluid which replaces the area removed during surgery. We where released at 2:45 AM an told to contact Dr Lee’s office ASAP when they opened at 8:00.

Erica who is Dr Lee’s PA had given us her cell phone number when we were release after the surgery. So at 7:30AM I called her, she asked if we could go back to Cartersville, pickup the CT Scan and to head immediately back to Medical College of Georgia (MCG). When we arrived Jeremy was re-admitted with a-typical meningitis. While there he was given 2 spinal taps to release the pressure and to verify that it was not bacterial meningitis. The cultures came back with no bacteria.

On Thursday after the second spinal tap (performed on Wednesday) they released Jeremy. When we left they forgot to give us his prescription for pain medication, which I failed to notice until we got to the Marshill Walgreen’s. Due to the late hour I told Jeremy that we would simply fill the prescription that Cartersville had given us and would call Erica in the morning. Afterward I took Jeremy home and then went back to pick up the medications he was to start taking.

When I went in to Walgreen’s they informed me that the pain medicine prescription had TAMPERED WITH all over it and they would be unable to release the medications. At this time I called Jeremy to get Erica’s phone number. Rachel, Jeremy’s girlfriend was now at the house, so she brought Jeremy up to Walgreen’s. Walgreen’s REFUSED to even let me see the prescription, talk to Cartersville Medical, or to the Walgreen’s in Kennesaw. Both Cartersville Medical and Walgreen’s in Kennesaw asked for them to release the prescription back to us and they would take care of the problem for us. They still refused.

During this time Jeremy has been 6 hours with out any pain medication. I was getting highly upset, and then requested for them to call the police, if the prescription had been tampered with I wanted to speak with them. They REFUSED. Also, during this time another lady came up with a very similar issue. She had dropped off 4 prescriptions for her mother. When she got home she was taking them out of her bag when she noticed that there where only 3 in there. The pain medication was missing!!!! The same person I dropped the prescription off with informed her that according to the system she already had received the pain med’s and there was nothing they could do. I told the lady that I was having the same issue that they would not give me the pain med’s that I had a prescription for.

At this time I sent Jeremy with Rachel to Cartersville Medical. I then informed Walgreen’s (which it was about 30 min after their closing time) that I would not leave until I spoke with the police. At that time they agreed to call just to have me escorted off the property. I told them no, I would be pressing charges. When the police arrived, at 11:30, he was unable to determine if the prescription was tampered with or not. THANK GOD!!!!
Because he then told me if it had been verified that I would be the one arrested. At that point I was allowed to leave to go to the hospital to be with Jeremy.

When I got there I explained what had happened at Walgreen’s and they told me that if the prescription had been copied that it would say INVALID not tampered with. When we left the hospital I went straight to Walgreen’s in Kennesaw. They filled the prescription then made a copy of it for me.
Written all over the paper is INVALID INVALID INVALID. On Friday morning the head manager for Marshill called me saying that they were sorry and that the girl would be reprimanded.

So as you can tell the saga continues….. I shall keep you all informed.

Again thanks for the continued prayers and well wished. They all mean so much to both me and Marcus and especially Jeremy.

Love
Di