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Personal Stories

Drake

7/11/2001

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Ringgold, Georgia
Hello all,
My name is Brian Drake. My wife, Annette, and I are honored with being the parents of our son, Danny. Danny is 11 years and in public schools since he was 3. He's not vocal and not potty trained. When he was 6 years, he was diagnosed with leukemia and admitted St. Jude Research Children Hospital at Memphis.
Picture
Although the chemo cured  the leukemia, it damaged the nerves in his bladder. He had a surgery name Vesicostomy and basically he leaked from a hole in his abdomen. After 2 years, he had surgery again and his bladder is normal, but he's having  trouble learning basic bathroom techniques. Ugh!

Danny's a happy little guy.  He was premature about one month. He laughs all time and has a sweet demeanor.


I want tell you a little about my health and how it relates to Danny. I'm also a cancer survivor, so I had some the same chemo Danny had. The problem now is this:  last October, I had a devastating stroke and it affected the Wernick's area -- the area processing language. I can't hear, talk. and I write poorly. I guess you surmise that.  Sadly, my condition affects Danny's development. Fortunately, I have a strong and loving wife, and Danny has the best mother.

My stroke caused a blood clot. I have a congenital heart defect name Tetralogy of Fallot (tol). I read some messages here about tol.  Heart surgery is more advanced and less risky today than when I got surgeries. Also, I may tell you I was the first person to get the Blaylock Bypass. I was one-first person with this surgery. I don't impression I was first. Alfred Blaylock from John Hopkins was a well known surgeon in the mid '50s. Nowadays, doctors seldom or never perform this surgery. Then, in 1969, I had a corrective surgery in the Mayo Clinic. Ugh!  My heart worked for 31 years, then on October 24, 2000, my life changed, and Annette and Danny's lives changed. 

I hope speech therapy, hearings aids, and time will help me, of course, with prayer. It is good meet you all. I don't write much, it is a laborious task. But, e-mail is the only vehicle I have for communication.

Will you all pray for our family?  Thank you.

Brian, Annette and Danny Drake



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