Is this little one a beauty or what? I want you to look at his little picture long and hard and remember his little face because I need you to be praying for this little boy EVERY DAY.

Landen is Ty’s buddy from the NICU. (The second picture is of Ty and Landen at Tanner’s birthday party in May). Landen was born almost a month after Ty and he was born at 28 weeks. Like Ty, Landen experienced brain hemorrages and PVL. Like Ty, Landen has been diagnosed with CP. Unlike Ty, Landen also has had to deal with seizures. These seizures have been escalating for many months. The pattern has become obvious – they are gradually increasing both in intensity and frequency. Because Landen was diagnosed with epilepsy, somewhat frequent grand mal seizures is not that suprising. Landen’s seizures though have escalated to the point of being potentially life threatening.

This week Landen had a seizure that lasted a full hour long. That is uncommon and VERY dangerous (to say the least). He has been in and out of the ER for the last several months and he has been on many different seizure medications but nothing is helping. Susie (Landen’s mom) called me a couple of weeks ago with a very heavy heart. The neurologist was suggesting brain surgery. The surgery is called a “Temporal Lobectomy”.

According to some info Susie sent me:

Temporal lobectomy is the removal of a portion of the temporal lobe of the brain. It is the most common type of epilepsy surgery and is also the most successful type: After surgery, 60% to 70% of patients are free of seizures that impair consciousness or cause abnormal movements. Some of these patients still experience auras, sensations (odors, for instance) without an outside source.

Therefore, more than 85% of patients who have had a temporal lobectomy enjoy a great improvement in seizure control. Most patients need to continue taking seizure medicines, but they usually need less. About 25% of the patients who become seizure-free eventually can stop taking their seizure medicines.

In addition to this information, the Dr. warned of other major side effects that could occur from this surgery including partial paralysis and lack of expressive emotions.

As should be obvious, this decision has been heartwrenching for Landen’s family. If there was any way to avoid this surgery, any road that could lead to hope, they would have grasped at it. At this point though, Landen’s seizures are out of control and gaining momentum. We don’t know when the surgery will be scheduled for but in light of this week’s crisis, I imagine soon. There is some talk of the surgery taking place in Houston but we are hoping for Phoenix (I for one intend to be there if it’s in state).

I can’t plead with you enough to take time to be praying for Landen and his family. Landen has five other siblings. As I mentioned in a previous posting, two of Landen’s siblings have cystic fibrosis and little Jake has had some criticial moments this year himself. Two years ago we were praying for baby Ryan (now almost 2) as he suffered from a round of RSV that was nearly terminal when he was only 5 weeks old.

Here are some specific things to pray for:

* Strength and peace for Ferris and Susie and all the kids
* Wisdom for Landen’s Doctor’s
* Landen suffered some (hopefully) temporary paralysis this week due to a seizure – if it’s the Lord’s will, we ask that he lift this paralysis from Landen.
* Availability of family and friends to chip in where needed.
* Good health for Jake. This family can’t take another crisis right now.
* Financial support. Due to all the financial strains of CF this year and now having to pay 35% of this brain surgery, all resources are tapped out.
*Hope

If you feel the Lord leading you to help this family in any way, please email me directly. Prayer is what they need the most though. Please feel free to pass this prayer request on to family and friends. Landen’s family is desperate for all the prayer support we can get for them.