Maddox's Journey Through Epilepsy

On Behalf of Mark, Melony, Matthew & Maddox Just,

As you may or may not know, our 11 year old Maddox has had many grand mal seizures over the past 2 years. Following numerous Dr. appointments, scans, blood tests, medications & medication changes, to get us there, we finally have some answers.

Maddox has a brain tumor. This tumor is located on the top left side of his brain. It is approximately the size of a walnut.

What does this mean? Well it means there are many many more appointments, scans, MRI’s, CT’s, EEG’s and blood tests to come. He has a 5 day stay in hospital coming up February 27-March 3. This is where they will hook him up to an EEG machine for 5 days straight and induce up to 3 seizures to get more information about what is happening in his brain. They have told us that if they do not operate within the next year he will start to lose function in his right hand.

So, we are now preparing for brain surgery. This operation will take place in either Toronto or the USA. We will not know when and where it will happen until after all the tests and scans come back. The need for more more information is necessary to determine the process that this surgery will take. Once the results of all tests come back, this will then determine where the operation will take place. We will not know how much we will have to pay for a while yet.

This brings us to this school year. It has been especially hard on Maddox and he has not been able to attend a full day of school yet. This is caused by one of the many seizure medications he is currently taking. Seizure medication can have bad side effects, one of which is extreme drowsiness… He either goes to school late in the morning because he is so tired, or he comes home early because he is so exhausted and he is falling asleep in class. We are very thankful for his teachers, EA and his principal, Mr. Watson. They are very understanding of what his poor little body is going through and they are supporting him the best they can. We are very thankful that he is doing very well in school when he is able to attend, so we are not too worried at this point with all the school he is missing.

We have had many friends, neighbours and family members ask what they can do to help… well, we are not to sure at this point, but I know Maddox would love to hear people are praying for him, and some words of encouragement. (He just mentioned he would love gift cards to Chapters or Indigo as he loves to read!) He is very nervous about the unknown ahead. I will attach our address if you wish to send him a card or something in the mail. He would love to read them, especially during his 5 day hospital stay. He knows it will be very long and boring since he cannot leave his hospital room, not even to go for a walk. He must be monitored and stay in his room to be recorded at all times.

This is a process, we do not know what the future holds, but thankful to know Who holds the future. We would like to thank you for all your messages and phone calls so far and for checking in on him and us! When we bear one another’s burden, it helps more than you may know!