Close to my 5 yr Anniversary of 3rd AWAKE brain surgery

Very Painful 1st day 24 hours after the in depth grids were placed in.
Trying to smile to show my love to all!

WIRED UP from Hetty Siebens on Vimeo.

CHEERS!!

TO ALL!!
But Praise Jesus the most!!

1 Corinthians 10:31 So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the GLORY OF GOD!

Whether lying in the hospital bed-with wires in your brain, or at home having seizures, or medicated to exhaustion, or thru 3rd AWAKE brain surgery-with success thru Christ-- I do everything for HIS GLORY. Use the tough times--seeing His Light! Reaching out to others-knowing HE HAS PLANS FOR ME, FOR YOU!! And not to dwell on the hard times, but to be thankful-excited-knowing His plans, whether seizure free to come or not-have a positive outcome for myself-you-many!! ALL FOR HIM IS THE BEST PART-- as we lean on Him with Trust!!!!!
So no matter what we are doing in our day-- do it for His Glory. What the outcomes are-just surpass our understanding of How Marvelous, and Wonderful HE ALWAYS IS-- as we seek to see that, every moment, every purpose. He loves you, even thru the struggles, to take this thorn, and turn it into something amazing that will change lives! It is just TRUST. The moment I found Him, and surrendered all my control.. and gave HIM ALL MY TRUST... He took it all full force- His way- His timing... and years go by... brain surgeries go by... and finally- the MOST AMAZING -- AWAKE BRAIN SURGERY WAS DONE!!!! And I AM EVER SO GRATEFUL!! As for I haven't felt so alive since I was 22!! I may have a headache-- but He blessed me with an early appointment today--to get my staples OUT-- AMEN!! 
I will continue to praise Him and share His amazing way-- of guiding me down this path to wellness- with AMAZING DOCTORS AND NURSES AND STAFF-- AT MAYO HOSPITAL HERE IN PHOENIX, AZ... THAT DON'T QUIT!!! EVER!!! FAITH!!
Blessings to you all!!! Live for His Glory!! 
Cheers to that!


In His Love and Grace,
Heather  @AliveinMe @EpilepsyCures

Hebrews 9:28 so Christ, having been offered once to bear sins of MANY, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for HIM.

Day 2 - Heather's Epilepsy Journey

As I sat in Heather's room last night watching her drift in and out of sleep and witnessing the pain she was in...it made me think about Psalm 40. Many of you may know Heather's story..but she has gone through alot in her life. Most of it without knowing the love, peace and comfort of Jesus. Her journey is still in progress and like all journey's...sometimes you have to go through dark places to find the promised land.
Funny thing is..although Heather is in serious pain..I truly believe she would say this is not a dark place...this is the path she wants..one that she feels she must pass through to reach the promised land of better health. Heather does not better health for her however...she would say she wants to be a better Mom, a better Wife and better witness for Jesus. Sure she would love the freedom better health would bring for herself..and there may be a little selfish desire within her...who wouldn't! But, honestly..Heather is about helping others..it is what drives her. I pray God grants her this wish.
Today was a day of pain. Pretty much all day. Heather has had to have pain medicine administered every hour or she was in tears. Pain and Nausea medicine. However thru the pain, there were some victories. We were able to get her out of ICU and into her Neurological room this afternoon. During that move, God allowed her to be relatively pain free and even smile and talk for awhile. I think most of you saw the pictures! She is an amazingly strong woman..but she has a smile that is infectious. She also had an opportunity to meet with her favorite Dr. of all-time. Her personal Neurologist Dr. Joseph Drazkowski. Fortunately Heather loves me and Dr. Draz is married..or she would leave me in an instant! ;) Just kidding. Dr. Drazkowski is the perfect Dr. for her. He listens to her with a kind heart, spends time with her when needed and cares like she was his own daughter. We are blessed to have such an incredible Dr. leading Heather's epilepsy journey. It sounds like they plan on starting Heather's testing Thursday. Pray her pain starts to ease and that she is able to rest tonight.
And do me a favor...read Psalm 40.


God is Great and so are all of you....
Until tomorrow...
In His Grip,
Christian Siebens @flyingchristian for wife @AliveinMe / @EpilepsyCures and our AMAZING LORD AND SAVIOR-JESUS CHRIST!

Heather's Journey - Day 1

Heather has been in the hospital for 24 hours...and the journey continues. I will do my best to summarize the events and my thoughts for each day.


Day 1 - Feb 1, 2010


She was in great spirits heading into the hospital..In usual Heather fashion her sense of humor was strong about the entire situation and she appeared to have zero concern over the events to unfold. She is a strong woman..with a strong faith. I admire her so...
The surgery was scheduled for 3 hours with Dr. Zimmerman. The same Dr. that has performed her other two surgeries. I left her side at 10:00am and she was off with a smile. Her father joined me in the waiting area for a couple of hours and he was able to get my mind off of the things unfolding for Heather. I tried to do my best to keep all of you updated via my iTouch...I hope it made sense. This was the first time I have ever used this device. :) I am not quite as 'techy" as my wife..I guess I am just too old. :) I was finally called into a conference with Dr. Zimmerman around 3:00pm. His first words were..."It didn't go as well as I would have hoped". Not a good way to start the conversation. Apparently he had a difficult time dealing with the scarring from the previous surgery's. He wanted to insert 4 grids in her temporal and frontal lobes..but was only able to complete 3 of the 4. The Dura around the surface of the brain at her last surgical site would not separate from the brain itself..he told me he attempted to separate this for sometime..but gave up when it became clear he could cause permanent damage to the brain. He "hoped" he had not caused any damage in this process...but that was unclear since she was still recovering from surgery and not coherent yet. He left the meeting to go back to her and conduct some post op tests.
I must say the next 3 hours were painful as I pondered if her brain functions were damaged in anyway and if the lack of inserting all the grids would affect their ability to do the "true" surgery later in this journey. Finally i was able to see her around 5;30pm..which lifted a weight off my shoulders. She looked great. Minimal bruising..just a bit puffy..all her senses seemed to be working with the exception of speaking..however, I believe that was more due to the sore throat she has from the operation breathing tube than anything else.


Now that I have been with her all night..she is speaking fine..in pain..but it appears there was no damage done in surgery. Her pain meds are only lasting about an hour and her left ankle is hurting for some reason...other than that her vitals appear good. I am being told that by the end of today she would be moved from ICU and into a room on the neurological floor of the hospital.


I stand amazed at the incredible outpouring of love, concern and prayers for Heather and our family from each of you. Our faith is strong and I know the perfect will of Jesus will be glorified thru this journey...however, having the love of so many sure helps us draw continued strength.


On behalf of Heather, myself and Tory...may God Bless each of you.
In His Grip,
Christian Siebens @flyingchristian for @AliveinMe / @EpilepsyCures