Drum Roll Please . . . November 18, 2011, 1:31 PM

I marked this update urgent because I wanted to bring a sense of urgency to good news! It seems so often that only desperately heart wrenching news gets the “urgent” post. It is with great joy that I get to announce that Steve has been selected Fire Chief of Lacey Fire District 3. A lengthy national search garnered 25 candidates and then that was narrowed down to five finalists. The five final candidates participated in a two-day interview process last week that consisted of a public forum and then all day interview panels with different entities. The Fire Chief is selected by the Board of Fire Commissioners; the elected body that governs the Fire District.[...]

A Day to Celebrate May 29, 2011, 3:10 PM

Steve posting today...As our great nation pauses to honor those who have and continue to serve sacrificially to protect our freedom, I wanted to first of all express my thanks and admiration to those of you who are past or present members of our armed forces. I so appreciate your service and also how you have so faithfully cared and prayed for Lee over this past year.[...]

The Next Season April 26, 2011, 12:43 PM

First things first: Steve and I had a wonderful time away for our 16th anniversary! A very special thank you to our “extended family” here in Lacey for the incredible gift basket and accommodations to the Salish Lodge and Spa. The room, meals, and spa treatments were incredible. To all of our CarePages Family, we were so touched by your overwhelming outpouring of well-wishes for our anniversary! I just have to share one of our favorite cards we received for our anniversary because we both just laughed and embraced one another because we instantly felt it was so true – the card read: “Happy Anniversary! You two have the longest honeymoon on record! Congratulations!”[...]

Granted Weekend Parole! April 15, 2011, 9:36 PM

Yes . . . I have been granted weekend parole by my doctor for time served and good
behavior. Okay – so I added the last part – heehee. Anyway, today Steve and I celebrate 16 years of marriage and we are headed off for the weekend to celebrate![...]

Weary
March 29, 2011, 10:03 PM

In his last post, Steve promised an update after we talked to the doctor. There was a delay in the doctor’s call to me as he was trying to line up the timing and transport for some sensitive labs that need to be run. First, I want to thank you so much for continuing to check in on us, praying for us, and leaving such wonderful and encouraging messages. I want you to know that we read each and every one of them and appreciate them so much. CarePages does not have a way to respond back to messages but we wanted you to know that we do receive and read every one of them and they truly do bless us more than you could probably ever imagine. Thank you from the depths of my heart for loving us so well![...]

Latest Results March 24, 2011, 3:46 AM

This is Steve posting while Lee tries to get some rest following a really long day. She got a call back today from her infectious disease doc with the initial results from her most recent round of bloodwork. We are continually grateful for his care, compassion and prompt follow up. His news, however, was not what we were hoping for. Lee has now been under "quarantine" for almost two full months in hopes that her body would begin to naturally fight off the virus (CMV) that was discovered and believed to be the root cause of her raging fever, night sweats, fatigue, headaches, etc. Based on today's test results, this has not been the case. Her doctor reports that there has been "no clinically significant improvement in her viral load". He said he has already been in consultation with other specialists who believe that, based on these results, that the CMV virus may have been more of an "accidental
finding secondary to some other significant issue". Lee continues to experience periods of severe abdominal pain and episodes of jaundice that don't fit the patterns seen with a typical viral infection. The doctor promised to be back in contact with us on Friday (he's away at a conference until then) to discuss what next steps he would recommend. In the meantime, he was emphatic that Lee needs to continue to minimize her "exposure to the outside world".[...]

Solitude
March 15, 2011, 6:59 PM

Hi family and friends,[...]

A Special Request February 25, 2011, 3:16 AM

Dear family and friends,[...]

A New Fever . . . Cabin Fever February 18, 2011, 12:03 AM

So, it has been a little while since I posted. Please forgive me for not getting an update out sooner. Steve and I were able to get away for a little R & R and since our return I have just been very exhausted and battling my severe headaches. The combination of fatigue and pain has left me unable to compose an update with any clarity! I hope you will forgive me for not updating sooner!! (And I hope this post will make sense as I am sure it lacks a lot of eloquence in the writing!)[...]

Answers and More Questions
December 14, 2010, 5:44 AM

This is Steve posting again. Lee has been working diligently all day to try and get her thoughts down to be able to share all the latest information with you, but this has been one of her toughest days in a long time and I could not bear to watch her struggle any longer. So, I will apologize in advance that my posts will never be as eloquent as Lee's but I know that many of you have been waiting anxiously to hear from us so I will do my best to paint a complete picture of what we have learned.[...]