Surgery #2 tomorrow . . .

Surgery #2 tomorrow... December 16, 2013, 8:58 PM

The neurosurgeon was just in and has confirmed his belief that moving forward with the second "detethering" procedure is the best next step for Lee. She is on the schedule for 3 p.m EST tomorrow (Tuesday). Dr. B is very optimistic that this will bring significant additional relief to some of her other symptoms including her severe leg pain and bladder dysfunction.

The procedure involves making a 2 to 3 inch incision along her spine in the low back, then "shaving" a small amount of bone from the vertebrae to provide access to the spinal column.
He will then make a very small incision in the lining of the spinal canal that will expose the nerves and connective tissue that extend from the end of the spinal cord. Using a sort of "electrical tester" he will confirm the targeted connective tissue (and avoid any nerves) and then he extracts and cuts the connective tissue, which releases the tension on her spinal cord. The whole procedure should take around 2 hours if all goes as planned.

There are several answered prayers mixed in this report: the fact that the symptoms showed themselves before we left the hospital and the ability to get her scheduled for surgery tomorrow afternoon (we were originally told it might be tomorrow morning and there is another snow storm scheduled for rush hour, or that we might have to wait until Thursday which would obviously have delayed getting Lee back on the road to recovery and out of the hospital).

We are very encouraged by the success of Lee's anesthesia last week, but you can also imagine that the prospect of another surgery brings about a bit of concern with her history of complications. So, as we know and appreciate you are already doing, we thank you in advance for your prayers for equal success and recovery in round two. I will post updates as I have any new or changed information tomorrow afternoon.

Steve

Messages

Matt Chambers December 16, 2013, 9:06 PM

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Joan Bouck
December 16, 2013, 9:06 PM

Good Luck Lee, will be praying and thinking the best for all of you tomorrow! Joan
FD3

Kimball & Elizabeth Parker December 16, 2013, 9:10 PM

Appreciate all the details to keep us praying specifically. Excited to see the blessings continue too. Thank you Jesus!

Evalyn Forlines December 16, 2013, 9:10 PM

We just love you all so much and are in our constant thoughts and prayers. Bruce and Evalyn

Steve Braden December 16, 2013, 9:10 PM

Praying.......sending hugs

Lee Anne Giurintano December 16, 2013, 9:20 PM

Lifting extra prayers for you, Lee and especially praying the snow storm doesn't become an issue and delay the surgery. We'll be waiting anxiously for an update tomorrow, Steve. Thoughts and prayers are with you all. Keep the Faith!!

Hugs from Paducah, Kentucky, Lee

Lisa Currall
December 16, 2013, 9:24 PM

Okay....now we know what to pray for. We will be on the ball! Please tell Lee we love her and understand. SEVEN of us have had that surgery in our house and truly it did wonders.

It has to be so darn hard though right on top of the other surgery so this cannot be easy for her no matter how much good it may do! Big hugs from the Pacific Northwest!

Blessings on all of you there~

Ruth Warner December 16, 2013, 9:28 PM

Still praying....

Carter & Deanna Barnes December 16, 2013, 9:29 PM

Sending love and prayers your way. Thanks for the details as it helps our prayers to be specific. Isaiah 12:2 and Romans 12:12 are on our hearts today.

Vickie Hill
December 16, 2013, 9:30 PM

We will continue to pray that God will be leading the hands of the surgeon and the anesthesialogist.We love you dearly, Aunt Vickie and Uncle Wayne

Doris Hixon
December 16, 2013, 9:36 PM
Thanks Steve for this update, we will continue to pray for Lee. She means a lot to me. In christ Love Doris Hixon

Brian VanCamp December 16, 2013, 9:40 PM

Thanks again for the comprehensive report Steve....decisive action and timely. South Bay is still pulling for both you & Lee!

Jan Bennett December 16, 2013, 9:53 PM

Thanks for letting us know. We are and will be praying. Love to all of you.

Kelly Wahle
December 16, 2013, 10:31 PM

Wow. I cannot imagine. Lee, you are on my heart. Thanks, Steve, for updating us. You've got an army of prayer warriors here behind you all.

I'll be praying specifically during the surgery for the two plus hours.

Thanking God that this surgery will be able to happen asap and get Lee on the road to recovery.

Christ in each of you.

Terry Ware
December 16, 2013, 10:46 PM

I will begin my day with prayers for you both, as well as surgeon, nurses, and entire hospital thanking Jesus for His power, love and always answering our prayers

sue ensign
December 16, 2013, 11:28 PM

Hugs, prayers, and more prayers!

Carolyn Hamby December 16, 2013, 11:32 PM

Praying throughout the day and if the Lord awakens me during the night! He has Lee in the palm of His hand!

Bob Moye
December 16, 2013, 11:57 PM

We will definitely continue to pray!

Wendy Sternshein December 17, 2013, 12:02 AM

So glad Lee is finally finding relief. Keeping you both close to my heart.

Sherry Walker December 17, 2013, 12:23 AM

Prayers from UGD, Dr.Tim, Irene, Judy and Sherry

Emily Dreyer
December 17, 2013, 12:40 AM

I'm sorry you are having to have the other surgery so soon after your last one...but at the same time I'm so glad that you are getting it all taken care of at the same time. :) I am so amazed by your progress in these updates...sounds like you are doing quite well, all things considered.

Many thoughts & prayers for another successful surgery and recovery! Love, Emily

Leah O'Bryan December 17, 2013, 12:49 AM

Thank you for keeping us posted on how to pray. We are continuing to lift up Lee and her whole team. Love you guys much.

Nola von Neudegg December 17, 2013, 12:55 AM

So glad to hear you have a team of medical providers who are really on top of this complicated medical challenge. Lee is in good hands. Thanks for the updates.

Dennis Hackworth December 17, 2013, 1:51 AM

Praising and praying!

Sandy Temple December 17, 2013, 2:13 AM

Praying for a successful surgery and outcome!

Sandi Henry December 17, 2013, 2:25 AM

Well, we prayed that Lee wouldn't have to have the second surgery, but we're thankful that God has worked out all the details. He is in control, and we will be praying tonight and through the day. Thank you for keeping us posted. Love to you and your families. Grateful that you're together.

D Ward
December 17, 2013, 3:36 AM

We are praying Lee and Steve- all is possible with God! Love in Jesus, Debby and family

Debby Swecker December 17, 2013, 5:01 AM

Praying all goes as planned! Love you both!

Di Cieslak
December 17, 2013, 5:34 AM

Definitely will be praying! And alerting the troops to pray too! Love you guys so much :)

Bill Terhune
December 17, 2013, 6:19 AM

Continuing to pray for God's healing hand through the hands of talented surgeon and staff. Will also pray that Lee's reaction to meds goes well. You are both truly loved.

Judy Wilson December 17, 2013, 6:50 AM

Sending positive thoughts, will pray for the surgeon's steady hand and symptom relief. You are a brave woman Lee. I hope you have/had a good night's rest and can make it to surgery time without too much discomfort. Now that you've found an appetite again, you might get hungry. Will be waiting anxiously for the post-op report. Thank you for sharing all your reports. It's a good feeling to be part of this great
network of believers in God's miracles. Judy
janice pierce December 17, 2013, 1:04 PM

Will continue in prayer for her daily. And will definitely be praying for this next procedure. Thankful that we take all these things to The Faithful Servant who loves us more than we can imagine. May His grace continue to abound there with you all.

carver lovely December 17, 2013, 1:33 PM

Prayers

James Vandergriff December 17, 2013, 2:04 PM

We will be praying that all goes well . I know your faith is strong and your trust in The Lord is never in doubt . He is the great physician !Christ love to you guys Ed

Shirley Keith December 17, 2013, 2:18 PM

Lee's condition requires many prayers but I shall remain vigilant! There are so many facets for us to be concerned about, even the weather.As always, sending hope, faith and love.

Terry Puckett December 17, 2013, 2:21 PM

Praying