goodbye Keppra

In big news at our house, we bid a happy adieu, goodbye, salukes, zai jian, adjo, adios to Luke's Keppra!


He has finished weaning off of this medication, which was also the very first one he began to control his seizures.


We are thrilled, jubilant, exultant and in the midst of that bevy of loud emotions, also simply quietly grateful.  


A long, deep breath.


Had by all.  Including my mom. {Hi, Gogo}.


We are now on one, lone drug.  It is a "big gun", and so far we have not experienced a single side effect.  That is amazing.  


Luke feels a sense of closure, in some ways.  And he is feeling like this marks "progress" made.  That perception is magnificent.  And a great focus.  


We are at five and a half months without a seizure. We see Luke making incredible strides at school now that his mind is able to flow and function smoothly.  It has been an honor as his parents to see the trajectory from last year to this year.  Truly a miracle.


He is sharp and quick-witted.  I love listening to him take his word study words and craft stories.  They always have a great twist and turn.  His creative, clever side will serve him well, when well-harnesed and trained.  He is such a delight to parent.  A true mix of little boy and young man.  Sometimes both in the same moment, really!


So a celebration is on at our house!  We are so glad to be here.  Right here today.  On what feels like a quiet path after a year of literally feeling like I was pedaling up a mountain, one agonizing pedal stroke at a time with lungs screaming for air and legs straining.  


Onward.  Led to a more level part of the path.  


Regardless of what is to come, and because of what has passed, we take joy in the here and now.  


It surely feels restful!  


If last year was mountain terrain, today is a sweet cruise along a country lane, with ample shade and perfect sunlight dappling the road.  Long, deep breaths of cool air and a song in our hearts.  


There is a sweetness in the ordinary and mundane of everyday, of normal, that is only tasted with startling surity and gratefulness after the arduous depths and hard heights of difficult.  Hard pressed, but surely not crushed.  Perplexed, but not in despair.  


And the season turns, God builds in it all, and we learn grateful for everything.


Grateful for then and so sweetly grateful for today.


Goodbye, Keppra.  We are glad to see you go.