Anissa’s Story – Post #25 – Major Medical Decisions And Listening Prayer = Good Results.

As a follow up of yesterday’s Post #24 and the awesome experience I had in connection with “First Lady” Barbara Bush’s compassionate heart, my prayers now go out to her beloved family in feeling the loss of her gracious life.

“For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens … therefore we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord. For we walk by faith, not by sight. We are confident … and well-pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.”

2 Corinthians 5:1, 6-8 NKJV

Sometimes a lack of knowledge can cause those still living to suffer in their mortal body. After exhausting all pathways of treating the seizure activity in Anissa with anti-epilepsy drugs, we were advised to consider a surgical operation of her corpus callosum. This procedure, known as split-brain, would separate a broad band of nerve fibers that joins the two hemispheres of the brain to keep a seizure isolated and from spreading throughout her brain.

Upon hearing favorable reports from other parents who took their child for such an operation to the Augusta Medical Center in Georgia, we decided to take Anissa for an evaluation. In 1987, an appointment was made for her with the neurosurgeon, Dr. Donald King. (Since one of his patient’s story was in our book, Victorious Survivors, he had previously ordered 15 copies to share with others.) Therefore, Dr. King was sensitive to our need to work closely with a physician who is compassionate to our needs and willing to try various types of therapy. It was his opinion that Anissa would not be a good candidate for the corpus callosum surgery because of her combative behavior. He told us that in the meantime, he’d keep her name on his special list for any new experimental drug program that might be beneficial for the types of seizures she was having.

Because of the extreme behavior problems that Anissa experienced after the severe drug reaction just several months before, Dr. King prescribed Mellaril (thioridazine HCI), in minute doses, in hopes to correct her loud screaming, explosive excitability and impulsivity. After several doses, we realized she was making the same kind of “pointless” motions which had originally alerted us to the reaction she had at six months of age to the drug Phenergan. After researching the chemical makeup of those two drugs, we were shocked to learn that both contained the same antipsychotic component – phenothiazine, which should never be given to a child under two years of age! It was then we understood that Anissa’s brain suffered seizures as a result of the drug causing a chemical imbalance rather than structural damage.

“When wisdom enters your heart, and knowledge is pleasant to your soul, discretion will preserve you; understanding will keep you, to deliver you from the way of evil.” Proverbs 2:10-12 NKJV

This knowledge that I gained only made me more adamant in finding a formula that will counteract what that antipsychotic drug might have caused in the chemical balance of Anissa’s brain. Evidently, God wants the same results and could be the reason why we are recipients of “open doors – signs — wonders” through the power of His Excellent Grace.

To contact Anissa’s mother email her at blawyerlogos@bellsouth.net

To take a virtual tour of the healing center go to http://www.wellspringhealingretreat.org

Anissa’s Story – Post #38 – The Silver Lining In God’s Plans…

silver lining

The beginning of 2006 was off to a very bumpy start for Anissa. After taking the prescribed medication, Lyrica (pregabalin), she could only tolerate a 50mg dosage due to stomach distress. The higher doses caused her greater mental confusion besides having a very negative effect in controlling seizures.

Upon hearing a speaker say, “A survivor is one who finds meaning in the suffering,” the following scripture describes a meaning for Anissa’s survival . . .

“We are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord. For we walk by faith not by sight. We are confident, I say, and well-pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord. Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well-pleasing to Him.”

2 Corinthians 5:6-9 NKJV

Since Anissa enjoyed and prospered during many sleepless nights from special scenic videos with calming music, our ministry began a project to create a one-hour video geared for the profound, mentally challenged person. The acoustics at the retreat center was great for recording a Messianic Psalmist, whose gifted voice can soothe a troubled soul. And with the Lord’s provision of a multi-talented engineer supplying his computer knowledge, as well as audio equipment, the video was completed and has been a blessing to many.

DVD bev

CD bev

At the same time music therapy became recognized by the medical profession as a therapeutic treatment for dementia and other types of mentally challenged patients. The doctor prescribed such therapy for Anissa, so I video-taped each session. There were some very positive signs but the unpredictable seizures would divert her focus, besides creating an interference of schedules. As in years past, a positive program had to be suspended due to Lennox Gastaut Syndrome – the multiple seizure saga.

In May, one of Anissa’s teeth abscessed. Remembering those past grueling experiences in setting up visits with a pediatric dentist, anesthesiologist, neurologist and orthodontist at the University of Florida Hospital, as well as the tremendous expense of such, my prayers were fervent for a reprieve. After several appointments ended with negative results, finally, a brave and compassionate dental surgeon came to the rescue! He and his staff were so efficient and commendable in giving the IV sedation and extracting two of Anissa’s teeth that took less than one hour. Also, the fee was very favorable, saving us at least $7,000, which was the cost at UFH ten years earlier each time she was admitted.

Another miracle was how a couple, who worked with disabled persons, just happened to have a day off at their jobs and were going to be in our area. They were most willing to help and what a blessing it was!! Anissa healed rapidly and maintained excellent health for the remainder of that year – except for seizures.

Several months later, a vision came before me of a picture of Anissa’s face on the cover of her Book of Life – Revelations: 20:12 – with these words written:

ANISSA

CHILD OF DESTINY

CALLED BY GOD AS HER MOTHER’S HELPER

TO BUILD HIM A HEALING CENTER WITHOUT DRUGS

“For you see your calling, brethren that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, that no flesh should glory in His presence. But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who was made to us wisdom from God … that, as it is written, ‘He who glories, let him glory in the Lord.’”

1 Corinthians 1:26-31 NKJV

I have seen just how much God can achieve in using such weak things, according to His Word and by His Excellent Grace, so that He alone receives the Glory!

To contact Anissa’s mother email her at blawyerlogos@bellsouth.net

To take a virtual tour of the healing center go to http://www.wellspringhealingretreat.org

Anissa’s Story #42 – Times May Change – But God’s Word Remains…

The victories seen in 2012 had more to do with the ministry rather than Anissa, but both are intertwined. Having experienced over 821 seizures that year, with 407 being the worse destructive kind, each lasting four to ten minutes, the stress factor hit a record high. The amazing thing is how well she always looked and stayed physically strong — yet my hope for a miraculous change remained!

HPIM0340 (2)

Hopes for a change in 2013 concerning Anissa were high. It began in January when I first learned about Fuel For Thought (MCT-Coconut Oil), which was proven to raise Ketones. Anissa began two ounces daily but in order to keep a 24-hour balance, the dosage needed to be increased to four times daily. In doing this, she developed a severe digestive disturbance and the dose had to be lowered to once a day. Even so, there remained a change in her alertness and recognition, as well as less allergies. The autism characteristics were also miraculously altered, but no change in the seizure activity.

With the greater challenge in caring for Anissa 24/7, the Prayer Clinic open four days a week, and searching for a couple to oversee our retreat center, I was ready for the joyous breakthrough that came forth in June. It was a definite answer to our fervent prayers when contact was made with Tom Winslow, an ordained minister for over 20 years, and wife Barbara, a Registered Nurse. Since they were Directors of Pensacola Healing Rooms for seven years and Regional Directors of the International Association Southeastern Healing Rooms, we thought they might know of a responsible couple to oversee our healing center. When they could not recall anyone who might be interested, I said, “What about you two?” Tom sort of laughed as he mentioned about their plate being already full. But God had other plans! After a time of fasting, with prayer and a commitment to know and do the Lord’s will, it became evident the Lord was calling them to be our new Directors.

“You have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.”

John 15:16 NKJV

Within a month’s time, I heard a news report concerning magnetoencephalography or MEG Scan — an imaging technique that identifies brain activity and measures small magnetic fields produced in the brain to pinpoint the source of seizures. After receiving word that Florida Hospital for Children in Orlando had the MEG Scan and was opening its doors to adults suffering with seizures, Anissa at age 46, was accepted and evaluated. Without hesitating, the neurologist said: “She needs a corpus colostomy! It may not alleviate all seizures, but it could lessen the severity of them.” I was very disappointed when he said the scan would only be used during the surgery and not prior to an operation. When I responded that a corpus colostomy [also called “split brain”] operation was not considered in the past due to her combatant behavior, the doctor looked at Anissa and said: “Well, she’s no more than a zombie now!” Shocked to hear such words, I asked if he had looked at the video previously sent to him. When he answered in the negative, the nurse presented the video to him. He became more irritated when his computer refused to work properly. I offered my camcorder that was already set to view, just in case there was a mishap during the consultation. He said that it wasn’t necessary and instructed the nurse to answer any questions concerning an operation, then he quickly exited the room. The nurse suggested more prayer before making a decision. The following week, Anissa experienced some very combative episodes, plus an entire day of tonic seizures – the type referred to by the neurologist that may not be alleviated by the surgery. I wondered if it was God’s way of showing how difficult it could be after such a surgical procedure?

“Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of first fruits of His creatures.” James 1:16-18 NKJV

It was during that time period when CNN had a special report regarding Charlotte’s Web, a constituent of marijuana/hemp with less THC and higher CBD, being used to control seizures in children with LGS. Chief Medical Correspondent, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, hosted the program with special guest, Dr. Alan Shackelford, a Harvard trained physician and one of the nation’s foremost experts on medical marijuana. After seeing a video of Anissa’s seizures and viewing her medical records, as well as reading her story, Dr. Shackelford wanted to personally meet her. As I prayed to know God’s will concerning the request, the Holy Spirit led me to Isaiah 43:21 “This people have I formed for myself; they shall show forth my praise.” That Word gave me great peace of mind that I was going in the right direction.

The visitation was set up by Consumer Law Services. Their firm worked in collaboration with expert physicians and to assist patients in determining whether they are complying with the Doctrine of Medical Necessity. It was important to have a valid legal defense before using medical marijuana, also known as cannabis/CBD. On Sunday, December 15, 2013, Dr. Shackelford made a “house call”, along with the legal team, to see Anissa. The doctor’s attitude greatly impressed me as to how he listened very carefully to every detail in my answering of his questions. Before the visit ended, I was privileged to pray with them and give each one a copy of Isaiah 43:21. Since that day, it is my understanding that this doctor spends much of his time in Israel, working with a pharmaceutical company concerning the production of cannabis/CBD. Their visit greatly encouraged me to pursue that open door to try the CBD with Anissa. In my heart, the faith I had was in the Lord’s pathway of healing for Anissa and not the CBD, so any success would depend upon the power of His Excellent Grace!

To contact Anissa’s mother email her at blawyerlogos@bellsouth.net

To take a virtual tour of the healing center go to http://www.wellspringhealingretreat.org