This was really strange!

J Dan Brown · Posted: Sat Feb 09, 2008 5:50 am Post subject: This was really strange!

Evidently, I had my monthly (brain short) seizure this mornning, and made an absolutely ridiculous post. I'll leave it just in case someone feels led to interpret it, as I have tried and failed! Please remember that I am basically harmless, in spite of how frightening I may sound. I frighten myself sometimes, until I am reminded of Soveriegn Grace, and then I rejoice. The babbling below must mean something anyway, right?
Blessed, although typing in code, Dan

"Merry read some reacher, feel with which guess. Rich called forward your can't fellow right and called house in toward then as welcome. Welcome listered right, has forward with welcome. Welcome real realized both and
right anyway learned will there surfance all along. When right within each wonder can be prepared in make a borrow in sent own be cable.
Be able each can watch, Dan"

(What can it possibly mean?Umphh, Umphh, Umphh!) Confused

PunkStar · Posted: Sat Feb 09, 2008 5:40 pm Post subject:

Well, as a moderator. It falls to me as to whether it should stay or just be deleted as an error. I can delete it if you want. But the message is harmless and perhaps provides interesting insight into your condition. I am certainly interested in the medicals of it anyway.

It appears your brain-short may have affected your communication abilities, specifically affecting word order used in the English language. And perhaps in general affecting the reasoning process used in communication? Do you get this kind of thing happening if you brain-short while you are talking?

I thought perhaps you were trying to respond to VulcanBob's latest post and hit the new topic, rather than reply, button by accident. And probably typed what was clear in your head at the time, but didn't work on the keyboard. Now I'm not sure sure.

Anyway, it's all interesting.

George E · Posted: Sat Feb 09, 2008 6:58 pm Post subject:

Anyway, it's all interesting.

That's an understatement. It would be easy to understand what might prompt someone to type total gibberish. It's something else to understand such a semi-random string of words with correct (for the most part) spelling, capitalization, and punctuation.

I'm tempted to repeat Shaw's comment about Frenchmen.

J Dan Brown · Posted: Sat Feb 09, 2008 8:34 pm Post subject:

Punkstar and George, it didn't appear to me, at the time of my sarcastic edit, how it could possibly be too weird and probably frightening or even make anyone the tiniest uncomfortable. I will leave it up to you, PS, but as far as my embarrassment, shame or paranoia, well I passed that long ago. I have reached that totally "laugh to keep from crying" stage in my condition. This episode was different than my usual seizures, only lasting 7-10 min., and I remember it only happening once before, about 7 months ago, the other time told I was speaking total gibberish and turning purple and stopping to beathe temporarily. I also think I may be becoming infected with influnza, and that would explain a lot.

I have recently switched from dependence and I suppose addiction from one anti-seizure medication to another. Only last Tuesday, I took the last reduced dosage of the first and I finally arrived at my full dosage of another. It's possible it will take my old body a little while to quit crying out for "Keppra." It's possible that my dosage of the new one "Lamictal" is too high, but I'm not going to over-react yet. I so pity my beloved, and what she has had to experience these last (going on 7) years. I will either someday get better or I could just as easily have a seizure where I may never realize who I am ever again. I always get so depressed upon discovering that I had a sezure, until I remember Grace and Mercy. It's possible that I should free you guys from this unpleasant worry, and an uncomfortable dred in my possible future nonsense and post little for a while, I just don't know.

My best friend once took a video with his cell phone and placed it on a DVD nearly 3.5 years ago, and I have yet to bring myself to watch it. Hearing the descriptions overheard, realizing the seriousness of all this and yet feeling so blessed that I see and remember so little of it and watching me at my worst would less than likely help very much.

Maybe this all should be deleted, I'll leave that up to the moderators. I do feel however that you guys should be given a break from me for awile, at least 'til I discover what's going on. I love you guys, and really value you support and friendship. I would never do anything to intentionally scare or hurt anyone. Forgive me if, please, I brought anyone of you discomfort.
Blessed, and in His loving grip, broken as He wills, yet forever surrounded by His Majesty, J. Dan Brown

PunkStar · Posted: Sun Feb 10, 2008 3:29 pm Post subject:

That collection of words really isn't all that frightening. And since you've explained what happened, it makes for a more interestind discussion that gives a real insight into what you put up with, even though you are busy working for the Lord.

I think only moderators have the ability to delete posts. So if mistakes happen, you can either PM any moderator or just edit a post to ask for us to clear it up and we'll get it fixed up. It's no problem really.

This is nothing and I wouldn't worry about it. But I'll be praying your medication switch goes well. You've become quite a valuable member around here, hope you feel better soon.

George E · Posted: Sun Feb 10, 2008 3:46 pm Post subject:

"it didn't appear to me, at the time of my sarcastic edit, how it could possibly be too weird and probably frightening or even make anyone the tiniest uncomfortable."

It didn't make me frightened or uncomfortable. I have nothing but sympathy for anyone who has any sort of condition that presents a challenge in their everyday life. I also have a tendency to look at all problems with regards to a solution. In my sermon this morning, on the subject of trusting in God for solutions to problems, I said that often His help consists of providing the strength, wisdom, and/or knowledge one needs to do what needs to be done.

I'm also well aware that minimizing someone else's problem, even when done in the spirit of "cheer up, it could be worse" is seldom as helpful as it is intended to be. On the other hand, if you have reached the "laugh to keep from crying", then don't settle for little chuckles. If laughter is the best medicine available to you at this moment, go for the full belly laugh, not a rueful snicker.

When you pray, pray intently.

When you laugh, laugh out loud.

I do feel however that you guys should be given a break from me for awile, at least 'til I discover what's going on.

This is one of those times when you need to ignore you feelings. Being a friend is a two-way street. It is as important to accept the support of your friends when you are in need as it is to give your support when others are in need. It would be a most unfriendly thing to make yourself absent from here, and thereby deny us the opportunity to offer you what little help we can offer in cyber space.

music wasn't part of me · Posted: Mon Feb 11, 2008 1:13 am Post subject:

markm2553 · Posted: Mon Feb 11, 2008 4:54 am Post subject:

Post all you like brother, your among friends and Christians brothers here.

I have had phone calls in the middle of the night that sounded something like what you wrote, in the end it ment they needed a ride home... Cool

Your in my prayers.

ATatum · Tadpole Joined: 10 Feb 2007 Posts: 24

Brother Dan,I haven't posted in a while but I have been reading.You are such a role model for alot of us.Your positive attitude and How you don't let your condition stop you from ministering to others.I check in everyday for the usual uplift I get from some of ya'lls posts.I have been battleing some health issues lately.Just seems like one thing after another.Just recently was told I have central apena.My brain doesn't tell my body to breath sometimes at night.Not trying to say that anything I have been going through is anything close to your condition.Just that how we never know how what we are going through gives others strength.To me you are an example of how we should act in such ordeals.But I know that it is all going to work out for the best.I believe that God has placed you in my path.You are truely on my heart everyday.

Godslittlerosebud · Posted: Wed Feb 20, 2008 11:46 am Post subject:

J Dan Brown · Posted: Thu Feb 21, 2008 4:37 am Post subject:

Rosebud, I don't mind at all. I have passed that "laugh to keep from crying" stage long ago. This incident proved to me the love and fellowship present in this place when I thought perhaps I had embarrassed some of you and everyone came out of the woodwork in support both here on the forum and in emails. It's why I chose to leave it as proof of my uplifed heart. My wife tells me that I was consulting my dictionary as I was entering this post, which is strange in that there are no words that I wouldn't have known how to spell present.

Since having my first witnessed seizure about 6 years ago last October while driving to church, God has led me on a strange journey. While not actually leaving the hiway, I slowed to about 35 MPH while I was told by my beloved that I was staring off into space. When asked by her why I was driving 35, I responded "I'm not driving 35" as I looked down to witness it on the speedometer for myself. Later, after being diagnosed with epilepsy I thought back to times prior to that incident when as I drove around 3 states in my sales job that I had lost time and had arrived somewhere much quicker than anticipated, only to realize it was actually later than I thought. I was as if I had driven an hour or two, without remembering any of the road traveled, with God's hand on the steering wheel. Some of this was through the mountains of central Arkansas, and proved to me that the Father really had me in His grip.

The early days were a struggle, me losing my job of 18 years and having to retire at 52. It took a while to win my SS disability case and when my unemployment compensation ran out, it created a bit of financial disaster, but now since my wife went to work and I receive a monthly check tax free from the government, I make as much now as I did while working. My wife even gets back all all her taxes paid but about $50. If I had to work, my music ministry at the local VAMC (veteran's hospital) would be impossible. While I may have had seizures in the most strangest and embarrassing situation and always makes me a bit depressed, I have come to trust God more than ever before. I even had a seizure about a month after starting my Hospital ministry, and while the Volunteer Services office knew of my condition, I woke up in the ER, my guitar secure and them thinking at first I had had a cardiac arrest or something. I got a med ID bracelet after that. I know that it must freak people out, even loved ones, to see me drool, utter absolute nonsense and rub my hair violently. I have had seizures in church services, eating out, at family reunions and since I never remember any of these episodes, can't know how many I may have had when alone.

My new medication program seems to work great so far. In fact, this www.seizure.com Wink

one was the last one I believe I have had. I believe Roman's 8:28 more than ever, and am blessed beyond belief, daily.
Blessed, and blessed and blessed, Dan

PS: I really hope that you mean that you supervise the breeding of rabbits, rather than the actual breeding of them. Wink

ATatum · Tadpole Joined: 10 Feb 2007 Posts: 24

We are Blessed to have you here Dan.Glad to hear the new meds are working.I'm trying to get used to sleeping with this breathing machine.Found out I had sleep apnea.I quit breathing 121 times in 4 and a half hours of sleep.I look like an elephant when I go to bed.Got this mask over my nose with a 6ft hose on it.

J Dan Brown · Posted: Thu Feb 21, 2008 2:25 pm Post subject:

Mr. Tatum, I assure you that I am the blessed one in all of this. I grow to treasure you guys more and more daily. I pray every day for new members and a growth in participation, but God knows what He's doing and His timing.

I went through that sleep apnia thing myself about 3 years ago and found that I couldn't sleep with the crazy device, even after learning from my neurologist that if I had a seizure while I happened to be stopped breathing, there was a 75% chance it would cost me my life. I couldn't take sleeping meds because of the other stuff I had to take, so as hard as I tried, I never could handle it.

But God had a different answer for me. I had wasted away to nothing, spending time on my computer and watching TV, but mostly feeling sorry for myself and turning into a giant marshmellow. I looked one day and I weighed almost 290 LB. But God took away my appetite and over the period of about 9 months, God helped me to lose about 75 LBs, created my music ministry and caused me to start exercising helping a friend who knew how to deal with my seizures with his business mixing taxidermy chemicals a couple of days a week. I went from wearing 46" jeans to 38" weighing 215 and most important, I quit snoring and all my sleep apnia ceased, and stll is gone after 3 years. I have my appetite back and I use wisdom not to overeat and am still at 215 LBs. I hope you can learn to deal with the breathing machine as it is serious stuff, but pray and maybe the Father will choose to help in some way, like He did me.
Blessed, and still working on why I could possibly be worth it, Dan