update from Casey

Hi guys- 

I am starting to feel better so I thought I would write the update this time. It's been a rough month!  The worst of it was that first week, when I was wrestling with bad migraines and bad nausea.  Then I went into hibernation and was sleeping a ton. I still sleep more than normal, going to bed early and getting up late, but my abilities during the day have far improved. It seems that each day I have more stamina and less symptoms.  My head continues to feel pressure on it, and that increases with light/sound/activity, but I have been finding workable rhythms: Time in bed, time out of bed, time with screens, time with eyes closed, time with kids (with earplugs in), time alone. It seems to be working pretty well, which encourages me.

Overall I have been doing well emotionally/spiritually. When the pain was great, it seems that all I could do was pray for relief. But when it started to let up, I was able to quietly sing and play my ukulele in the dark, which really helped me focus on God and his love and his promises. There were plenty of negative emotions and thoughts to work through, but God really really encouraged me as he always does. In the days ahead I will try to share some of the specific lessons/songs from that time. I also needed your encouragement –there were many different times when things felt particularly bleak that I would receive a note or a visitor that would encourage me deeply. Thank you to all of you! And thanks most of all for helping my wife and kids through this month. They were dealing with sadness, fear, extra work/stress, and you all rallied around them amazingly.  I feel really really loved and spoiled.  

Love to all of you, 

Casey