Long Time Coming

Hello friends, family, strangers, and acquaintances,
To begin I would like to apologize for falling off the radar. The past 8 weeks have been nothing short of a roller coaster ride. The first two weeks I was home, I was feeling okay. Other than the pain of the surgery, things were looking up for me. My sweet friend Sara Grace, and boyfriend George even came to see me. But on March 10th I took a turn for the worse. I woke up in the early hours of the morning, screaming with the worst pain I have ever experienced. The only words that I can use to describe it is my brain trying its hardest to explode from my head. I was in pain for 30 minutes before passing out and eventually being rushed to the ER. They immediately gave me something for pain and a cat scan. The ER doctor came in and told us nothing was wrong and sent us on our way. The next day I went to my primary doctor and he did an MRI. The MRI showed nothing seriously wrong, but a little inflammation around my neck, so he gave me IV steroids. For the next two days I went and received the steroids. But on Wednesday morning, another attack came. Instead of going straight to the ER, I went to my doctor, where he made the decision to admit me to the hospital. At the hospital I was sedated for 5 days. I was in so much pain that they pumped me full of narcotics to knock me out and forget everything. On Sunday morning, the neurologist at the hospital decided to transport me to UAB in Birmingham for further testing and better care. From Sunday to the next Saturday I went through test after test. An Occipital nerve block, 3 spinal taps, endless MRI's, and a bunch of steroids later, I was released with no real conclusion as to why I had these headache attacks, and why I still had a lingering headache that never went away. Since the first attack on March 10th I have not gone one day without having a headache. Some times they are severe, sometime they aren't.
My parents and I decided to go back up to Milwaukee to the neurosurgeon who did my surgery and let him evaluate me to see what is going on. In Milwaukee I had more tests, and appointments with the neurosurgeon and a neurologist to determine the source of the chronic headaches. In Milwaukee we learned nothing is wrong intracranial (blessing). We also learned that some patients after a chiari surgery develop headaches that can be managed with physical therapy, botox, or medicine.
So That is where I stand now. I am seeing a pain management doctor this week to decide which treatment is best suitable for my headaches. All doctors I have seen are very positive that I will not have to deal with headaches for the rest of my life.

Through it all, I am still happy I had the surgery. The symptoms that plagued me before are not nearly as bad, and a recent physical showed great improvement. I thank God for allowing me to go through this time. It has truly taught me to walk by faith. Your endless prayers, cards, gifts, and texts are appreciated more than you will ever know. Thank you all for standing by me while I go through the most difficult time in my life.
God Bless,
Abby

Unexpected Blessings

Hey friends! This past week has been one of the hardest weeks of my life. Without my Heavenly Father's loving arms around me I know for a fact I could not have made it. Also there are a few key people who have made my week so much easier; JUST TO NAME A FEW:
-My sweet sweet mom and dad
-My amazing aunt who flew up to help me
-My amazing boyfriend George Kamel who helped me each step of the way
-All my friends, family and even strangers who have prayed, sent an encouraging text or card, showered me with gifts, and loved me along the way.

Tomorrow is the day I have been dreading since the surgery. The long awaited flight home. There are many things that are concerning me with the flight tomorrow.
-Blizzard coming in at noon here in Milwaukee (our flight leaves at 6)
-At this time I can't hold my neck up for more than 1&1/2 to 2 hours without having to lie flat
-It took my dad 8 hours to get home from his flight on Saturday
-The increased pain I will be having from the staples being removed
The list goes on and on.. my family and I have prayed that I can endure it. But today Jesus proved once again that God takes care of his children always. Dr. Keith Thompson, my referring physician at the Montgomery Cancer Center, the doctor who found my chiari, is offering something that I can not believe. He has arranged a private jet to be sent to Milwaukee to pick me, my mom and aunt up and take us straight to Montgomery, as soon as my appointment is done tomorrow. What a blessing Dr. Thompson is to this journey! From the very first step in finding the chiari to now this... helping me be as comfortable as possible on my way home. His generosity brings me to tears. Heavenly Father pour out your blessings on Dr. Keith Thompson!

Thank you so much for all your continued support for me through this time. I love all of you!
-A

Shout joyfully to the LORD...​

The following update is from Abby's mother:

"Well...it has been a long day BUT a good day in that Abby made it through surgery and is now in ICU for close monitoring until tomorrow afternoon! 

What a blessing to be at such a wonderful hospital and have such wonderful friends and family back home praying. 

She has been in a lot of pain (neck and head) but has finally gone to sleep after a combination of pain medication. 

We thank God for each of you .... We have felt God 's peace...

ANOTHER BLESSING ... There are two recliners in Abby's ICU room and her dad & I can stay with her all day and night!!!!!! If all goes well, she will be dismissed from the hospital Friday. 

We will be in Milwaukee until next Tuesday. As soon as Abby feels better she will update her blog."

5, 4, 3, 2, Tomorrow.

Well, tomorrow is the big day! All the years of pain and suffering lead to this. My parents and I arrived in Milwaukee safe and sound this afternoon. I will be admitted to Columbia St. Mary's hospital tomorrow at 8am, and surgery will begin at 10am.
These past two weeks have been an emotional roller coaster, to say the least. I have laughed, wept, and everything in between. Through it all the sweet Savior has been by my side to comfort me. I never truly knew how to be "fully dependent" on the Lord until I went through this time. When there is no one to turn to, you quickly learn how present God is in your life.
I also want to thank each and every one of you for your sweet words of encouragement, gifts, and prayers for me. I can not begin to describe the feeling of joy and peace to know that I am being lifted up in prayer by so many of my brothers and sisters in Christ. Thank you thank you thank you.

My mom will be posting an update as soon as surgery is over tomorrow. Look out for the update.

Through this time, I have been led to this verse. It has comforted me when I start to feel hopeless, I hope you can take something away from it too.

"I have said these things to you that you may have peace. In the world you may have tribulation. but take heart, I HAVE OVERCOME THE WORLD."
John 16:33

I love each and every one of you, you all mean so much to me.

In Christian love,
Abby Butts

February 18th

Well, everything is scheduled and ready to go for brain surgery on the 18th of this month in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. These next two weeks are going to be very difficult for me as I wait. I ask that you pray with me that anxiety and nervousness will subside and reassurance comes. Today I had my pre-op exam and was cleared for surgery. Unfortunately, we found out that I still have C-diff, so I will be on two more weeks of antibiotics for that.
I will be in Wisconsin for 10 days. For 2 days after surgery I will be in neruo-ICU, then moved to a private room for another 3-5 days. Staples will come out the next Tuesday then we will make the long flight back home.
I can't thank everyone enough for the prayers and thoughts sent my way. I can honestly say I have felt them through this time. God has His hand through all of this and I am so excited to be healed.

Love you all!
-A

Specific prayer requests:
-For my sweet mom and dad, they are just as emotionally overwhelmed as I am.
-That my body tolerates the harsh antibiotics for C-diff this second time around.
-Safe travels up to Wisconsin.
-An easy flight back home after surgery (I heard it was going to be tough). 

The Joy of The Lord Is My Strength

Praise God for finding answers today. After a long day of tests and waiting, I met with Dr. Heffez, the neurosurgeon here at the Chiari Clinic in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He informed me that I have a significant Chiari malformation and strongly suggested surgery. Therefore, I will return to the clinic here in Wisconsin soon to undergo brain surgery. Thank you all for your constant support and prayers. I have felt them through this journey. The joy of The Lord is my strength!

-Abby

On the Road to Answers..

Well, prayers have been answered and I have been admitted as a patient into the Wisconsin Chiari Clinic! My family and I will be flying to the clinic Tuesday (Jan 29). At this point, all we know is that I will be going through multiple tests on Tuesday and Wednesday to see if my Chiari malformation is the source of all my symptoms. My family and I will sit down with the doctor on Wednesday afternoon and discuss treatment if in fact I am suffering from the malformation.
Thanks to all my friends and family that are praying me through this time in my life. Continue to pray that our answers lie at the Wisconsin clinic. I love each and every one of you!

An update will be posted as soon as we find out what the doctors say on Wednesday afternoon!