Reflections
July 22, 2009, 2:35 AM

I couldn’t let this week pass without a few reflective thoughts. This is the 9-year anniversary of the brain surgery that saved my life (the 1st time) and the little known story of Steve’s life being in jeopardy. So, if you are not into the musings and ramblings of an introspective, middle-aged woman –I had my first doctor call me middle-age last week - then, I say now is the time to hit “delete”. So if you are still reading, grab a cup of coffee and a comfy chair. I‘ve always said I would rather have others learn from my journey than have to experience the journey I have traveled – I pray something learned on my journey will inspire yours - maybe this will be one of those days. I hope so . . .[...]

Switching Gears: Medical Update July 17, 2009, 4:58 PM

Wow. It is hard to believe it has been almost 2 weeks since my last update. I want to thank each of you for your prayers and the encouraging messages during the difficult process of withdrawing off of the pain medicines for my head injury. I owe great gratitude to Steve and my mom for living in the trenches with me during the withdrawals and at times encouraging me minute to minute to hold out.[...]

72 Hours and Counting... July 5, 2009, 10:47 PM

Eleven days have passed since I declared I was “turning the corner.” This has been one long corner. The last set of symptom withdrawals has been excruciating to manage and ever so tempting to just give in to. (but there is nothing to gain but temporary relief because I only
have 5 doses of medicine left and the fall would just be that much harder!)[...]

Turning the Corner! June 24, 2009, 7:17 AM

It is with great joy and unceasing thankfulness with which I post this update. I believe I can claim that I have “turned the corner” physically with the rapid reduction in my pain medications. I am so thrilled to report that the hourly dosing of medication only 7 days ago has improved everyday and today I persevered, with the Lord’s strength, and made the 12- hour mark in between doses![...]

"This is the day . . . " June 19, 2009, 1:27 PM

(I apologize if you received this post twice. I posted yesterday (Thursday, June 18) but became aware of several who did not get the update email notification sent from CarePages. I have talked with customer support and they are working on the problem but I don't know when you will actually get this. We are praying it gets out soon as prayer support is in great need.)[...]

Habakkuk
June 3, 2009, 10:15 PM

Hi this is Lee. Probably not the title you were expecting to update from this morning's very important appointment with the neurologist/pain management specialist from Seattle. First, thank each of you for your prayers. While we didn't get the answers we all were hoping for, God's presence was made known as He guarded my mouth from the harsh things that so badly wanted to come out, as He protected our hearts from utter despair, and in the moment - as He invisibly wiped away the tears that I knew were pouring but realizing my face was dry. My integrity, motives, and faith had been assaulted and the lack of a visible breakdown allowed me to leave with my dignity.[...]

Specialist Appointment Tomorrow June 3, 2009, 12:36 AM

This is Steve posting again with a quick update and time sensitive prayer request. Lee will be seeing a neurospecialist at Swedish Medical Center in Seattle tomorrow morning at 9:30 am for evaluation of alternatives for her headache management. It normally takes many weeks to even months to get in to the center there but thanks to your many prayers on Lee's behalf they "happened to have" a cancellation vacancy tomorrow. Please pray for a good rapport with the doctor and for wisdom and guidance in her evaluation and treatment plan. Lee is having a tough week with her GI system not working at all so that makes the prospects of even going to the appointment a bit daunting for her so we also appreciate your prayers for her stamina. As always we count it such a blessing to have all of you praying for us and will update as soon as we can after the appointment.[...]

Specialist Appointment Tomorrow June 3, 2009, 12:36 AM

This is Steve posting again with a quick update and time sensitive prayer request. Lee will be seeing a neurospecialist at Swedish Medical Center in Seattle tomorrow morning at 9:30 am for evaluation of alternatives for her headache management. It normally takes many weeks to even months to get in to the center there but thanks to your many prayers on Lee's behalf they "happened to have" a cancellation vacancy tomorrow. Please pray for a good rapport with the doctor and for wisdom and guidance in her evaluation and treatment plan. Lee is having a tough week with her GI system not working at all so that makes the prospects of even going to the appointment a bit daunting for her so we also appreciate your prayers for her stamina. As always we count it such a blessing to have all of you praying for us and will update as soon as we can after the appointment.[...]

Update from Today's Appointment May 28, 2009, 6:17 AM

This is Steve again with a brief update following Lee’s appointment with her PCP today for which we had asked your prayers. I truly wish I had some great new insights or direction based on the appointment but we quite honestly find ourselves more frustrated after the visit than before we arrived. While her doctor expressed an understanding of our frustrations with the recent breakdown in communication and derailment of what we thought was Lee’s treatment plan, she did not come through with the course corrections that we were hoping
for. She has been back in contact with Lee’s pain management doctor and they seem to be convincing each other that the path of simply reducing her current medicine regimen and just waiting to “see what happens” without any solid alternatives to manage the debilitating headaches that have plagued her since our 2003 car accident.[...]

Update from Today's Appointment May 28, 2009, 6:17 AM

This is Steve again with a brief update following Lee’s appointment with her PCP today for which we had asked your prayers. I truly wish I had some great new insights or direction based on the appointment but we quite honestly find ourselves more frustrated after the visit than before we arrived. While her doctor expressed an understanding of our frustrations with the recent breakdown in communication and derailment of what we thought was Lee’s treatment plan, she did not come through with the course corrections that we were hoping
for. She has been back in contact with Lee’s pain management doctor and they seem to be convincing each other that the path of simply reducing her current medicine regimen and just waiting to “see what happens” without any solid alternatives to manage the debilitating headaches that have plagued her since our 2003 car accident.[...]