72 Hours and Counting...

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!)

As things got really bad last Thursday, Steve and I have came up with a new plan that we implemented ASAP Thursday night. (We decided it, acted on it, and here we are -- no time to write about it until now) The goal was/is to essentially sleep through the withdrawals the best I can with the help of some other natural & moderate medicines that won't create a "must have" scenario when the withdrawals are over. We have been successful so far as this note is my real first period of "wakefulness" (Sunday night) since last Thursday night. We SMASHED the 12-hour dosing mark as we are approaching 72 HOURS since my last medication interval!!!! We estimate another 2-3 days of sleeping through will be needed. Please pray for continued success with this plan and that the end is in sight for discontinuing the "insurance denied medications". There is still no plan in place for managing the ensuing headaches but for now, they are tolerable. Pray for wisdom as we seek out the right doctors for the next phase.

Also, thanks to each of you who prayed for my mother's traveling mercies as she returned home from her trip here and faced surgery. The surgery turned out better than expected by the physician and as much fusion was not needed as initially believed. YEA! That means not as much loss of motion, etc. Mom reports that after 48 hours, the pain has not been too bad. She has been truly blessed by cards, flowers, balloons, meals, visits, calls, emails -- you name it -- she has been blessed by it. Thank you so much for the prayers for healing for her -- Keep 'em coming!!

Thanks for checking in on us! Much love! Lee (and Steve)

Messages

carol sparks

July 5, 2009, 11:11 PM

Lee, You and Steve continue to be in my prayers for your recovery by the Lord's power and strength. Carol Sparks

mike coward

July 5, 2009, 11:32 PM

Awesome! Mike and I will continue to pray for you, Steve and Martha.

Rae Jean Bettmeng

July 5, 2009, 11:42 PM

What a joy it is to read this update and know that you have some relief Lee... I continue to have you on my heart and wish so much I could just "sit" with you and just be there for whatever you needed. Blessings, Rae Jean Bettmeng

Debby Swecker

July 6, 2009, 12:03 AM

So good to hear that things are going better. I will pray that your new plan will work and you will emerge like a new butterfly in a few days. This is a time of metamorphosis - in a cocoon.

You will find a new kind of freedom on the other side. I love you and Steve. Debby

Teresa Smith

July 6, 2009, 12:30 AM

Thanks for the update, and we're so glad you are getting through the drug withdrawal. We will continue praying for both of you! Love, Teresa & Earl

tom hill

July 6, 2009, 2:15 AM

works for my girls every night. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RlQAzuXz-wk tom3

Kimball & Elizabeth Parker

July 6, 2009, 2:45 AM

Praise to be to God! What a great testimony as to what God can do. We continue to pray and love you! Kimball & Elizabeth

Melissa Marks

July 6, 2009, 1:31 PM

What an awesome testimony to God's grace for you moment by moment. Your witness of faithfulness to God no matter what brings great encouragement to our heart. We continue to pray that God will sustain your faith by His power so that He may be glorified. Love to you both. Gene and Melissa

Nola von Neudegg

July 6, 2009, 4:11 PM

Good Morning Lee, Although I went through a much less significant experience in comparison to yours, I remember kicking caffeine and sugar at the same time - cold turkey. One of my coping mechanisms was to sleep as much as possible through the withdrawal period. And it really helped me get

through the worst of it. I realize that isn't even a blip on a radar screen compared to what you are going through, but I do remember feeling like I had a severe flu after about 24 hours of no caffeine or sugar. I also distinctly remember that

after about a week I started to feel better. And after four weeks I was feeling dramatically better. This is what I pray for you. Lee, you may feel weak, but God has placed great strength inside of you. And strength is not measured physically. It is measured spiritually. Just remember who you are and remember WHOSE you are! You are a very special daughter of the KING. And the KING looks after his kids. Remember to relax in his loving care. I'm here if you need me. Nola

Patsy Butcher

July 6, 2009, 6:17 PM

Lee and Steve, I continue to remember you both daily in prayer and you are such an inspiration to me through your unwavering faith. Your mom sounds great on the phone and I am taking dinner to them tomorrow night so I will be able to check on her first hand. Love,

**Patsy Butcher** Susan Jenkinson July 7, 2009, 2:34 AM so thankful to get an update. have been praying for you. if anyone can beat this, you can. love you guys Susan Jenkinson

Roger Badger

July 7, 2009, 1:40 PM

I will be sure to pray that prayer kid! Hang in there, I'm pullin for ya! Roger

Martha Foust

July 8, 2009, 9:31 AM

Lee, I'm so proud of your committment to yourself, Steve, family and above all...God. He is rewarding you for your faithfulness to Him. I pray you will have continued success. I love you! Mom

Tiffany Rose

July 8, 2009, 11:09 PM

Lee, I am sooo glad to hear good news from you! What a road you have traveled...I keep you in my prayers daily. You are an amazing young woman....I wish Tiff could have met you... Your faith is so inspiring. I don't know how people do anything, or get through anything without God...I know I can't, and don't want to! Living without Him is not really living at all... I am glad your mom got to make the trip before her surgery. She is an amazing woman herself! I have sent her an email to check on her, but will do something more after I get through Tiff's service on Saturday... Thanks, always, for your prayers from afar...you have mine too! I look forward to meeting you one day... Much love to you and Steve, Sandy (Tiff's mom) cp:tiffanydrose

debbie Mathews

July 24, 2009, 3:39 PM

I feel privileged to help pray for you both. From the first time Lee shared with the women at home group, I always wondered about how things were going. I feel a bit more apart as I read what you have gone through. I am glad to help pray for you. Also if you need anything else, we are not working right now so if you need anything, don't hesitate to ask