Join us on SATURDAY if you can! December 24, 2013, 7:04 PM

For those of you in Tennessee (or interested in traveling), we would love to have an opportunity to see you and catch up if your schedules permit. I originally indicated we were looking at Sunday, but after aligning all of the family schedules, we've landed on SATURDAY, December 28th from 5:30 to 8 pm at 3620 Warmstone Way, Knoxville, 37931.[...]

We made it!
December 24, 2013, 2:57 AM

I'll keep this update brief because we just made it to Lee's Grandmother's house (she is 96 and still lives by herself) and she is very anxious for some "quality time". I know many of you have been praying faithfully for our trip over the past two days and I am ecstatic to report that we made it over 700 miles with no problems and Lee rode comfortably the entire way (see the photo album for the definition of "travelling in style"). I'll let her fill you in on the details personally in the near future but she reports a truly miraculous ride across some of the roughest roads in the country with NO increased pain. She continues to have significant relief from many of her other previous symptoms and her stamina and pain control are improving daily. We are so blessed and thankful![...]

She's escaped! December 21, 2013, 11:37 PM

I am excited and thankful to report that Lee had another overall good night (with the exception of your standard hospital interruptions every hour) and was released around lunch time today! She then successfully survived the next test of endurance: her first car ride in New York City traffic (see the latest photo). After making it safely back to our hotel, she was able to find a comfortable position and grab a nap before enjoying her first post-hospital meal (KFC was her choice...I did offer something a bit more glamorous but the Colonel was her craving).[...]

Progressing well December 20, 2013, 4:29 PM

You can see how far Lee has come by taking a look at the newest photo. Her P.T. buddy/cheerleader Meghan took her for a stairclimbing expedition yesterday and said Lee summited in record time for having had two surgeries in less than a week (Meghan also made some other fairly disparaging comments about the whining/resistance she was getting from male patients who had gone through much less, but my pride prevents me from sharing those comparisons). Yesterday lived up to its reputation for being the roughest from a pain and stiffness standpoint, but Lee pushed through and got in 3 good walks in addition to the
stairs.[...]

"Action-packed" Wednesday December 19, 2013, 3:05 PM

Yesterday and last night turned out to be quite the "ride" for Lee. While we'd originally been told that she would have to remain flat for 24 hours, Dr. B. rolled in about 2 pm in his typical
"brisk and spirited" fashion and had one hand on the bed-elevate button while he was wadding up the restrictions sign and throwing it at me with the other. Lee is pretty certain he now has claw marks on his wrist to go with the scar on his head that he received when he ran into some of her hardware and required stitches 13 years ago.[...]

Settling back in... December 18, 2013, 4:12 PM

Lee remained in the Recovery Room over night but was already fully awake and had the breathing tube out by the time I made it back to see her. We are very thankful that they appear to have developed an anesthesia "cocktail" that agrees with her! We just got her moved back to the regular neurology floor and settled in a room. She has to remain flat for 24 hours from surgery, so that is about 10 pm EST tonight. She's not too upset with that since she is quickly realizing that most EVERY movement requires involvement of the low
back and hers is pretty aggrevated from the surgery.[...]

Moving to recovery... December 18, 2013, 3:34 AM

The surgeon came out just a few minutes ago and said the procedure went according to plans and that Lee is beginning the process of waking from anesthesia. She was reportedly starting to move, which is already a good sign, but would likely not get her breathing tube
removed until she was in the recovery room for a period of time.[...]

Just getting started... December 17, 2013, 11:05 PM

As is always a risk with afternoon procedures, they are running behind so Lee JUST went back to the O.R. (6 pm EST). That means we are technically on time, just in the wrong time zone. Her biggest concern was that Dr. B had enough time in between procedures to use the bathroom and get something to eat so he is "fresh", so that gives you a good indicator that her sense of humor is intact. She was, however, getting VERY hungry since she hasn't eaten in 24 hours.[...]

Prayer for Surgery Today December 17, 2013, 2:04 PM

Hey Everybody, this is Stephanie again.[...]

Day 3...
December 16, 2013, 2:34 AM

I'll keep this one fairly short because not too much changed today, which is not a bad thing! Lee rested well again last night and had a good appetite throughout the day. We did some more walking along with some specific "exercises" as directed by her surgeon this morning to further evaluate Lee's bladder symptoms. She continues to have signs and symptoms that indicate the "tethering" may need to be addressed, so we anticipate getting definitive word tomorrow on how this will be addressed. You can be praying for both wisdom and schedule alignment for the surgeons and other staff needed to bring the plan together.
Lee's mom, my parents, and I took an opportunity this afternoon to ride the train into
Manhattan and see a few of the siights while the city is decorated up for Christmas. Lee and her dad got the chance to just "hang out" for a while and enjoy some qualtiy time and hospital food.[...]