A New Fever Cabin Fever

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 ... 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!)

The GOOD news: My last extensive rounds of blood work actually came back with an answer! Actually having an answer so "quickly" left me stunned. I know "quick" is a relative term but in comparison to waiting 12 years for my brainstem compression diagnosis and another 10 years for my muscular dystrophy diagnosis, I felt this diagnosis fell into the "quick" category for me!

The day the labs were drawn my doctor explained to me that these were the last labs he could think to draw for a series of rare viruses. He told me if these labs came back negative then it was back to the scanner because he would then be convinced I had lymphoma and we had just missed the primary tumor(s). So, the good news is that the lab work revealed I do, in fact, have a serious virus. I have the cytomegalovirus (CMV). Although CMV is usually harmless, it can cause severe disease in persons with weakened immune systems. CMV is a common virus that infects most people worldwide. Statistics indicate that up to 90% of adults have been infected with the virus. CMV is usually harmless and rarely causes illness. A healthy immune system can hold the virus in check. However, if a person's immune system is seriously weakened in any way, the virus can become active and cause CMV disease. A first infection with CMV usually causes no symptoms. The virus continues to live in the body silently without causing obvious damage or illness. It rarely becomes active for the first time or reactivates unless the immune system weakens and is no longer able to hold the virus in check. It most commonly activates in individuals with weakened immune systems due to AIDS, organ transplants, bone marrow transplants, aggressive chemotherapy, or an immune system suppressed by long term medications and disease. Well, apparently, the eight months of antibiotics and on-going E.coli. infection that I had set the stage for this virus to activate in my system. The general symptoms of CMV are strikingly similar to lymphoma and they include fatigue, general ill feeling, loss of appetite, muscle aches, night sweats, prolonged fever, sore throat, swelling of the lymph nodes, etc. These symptoms mimic mononucleosis as well. That is really the best way to describe how I have been feeling since last April. Not long after we received the results, I developed CMV acquired pneumonia -- actually double pneumonia. Yuck! The pneumonia has left me short of breath and in pain with inhalation. It has also caused me to run fevers over 105 degrees as I continue to battle CMV and the subsequent pneumonia.

Because this is a virus there are no medications to arrest the disease. It is simply a "wait it out" situation. The doctor said it could take up to a year to get over the virus depending on how much my immune system recovers and strengthens.

It is that news that leads to the title of this post, "Cabin fever". My doctor checks in regularly to see how things are going. He says he does this because I never complain of being sick until I am really, really ill. His last phone call was to give me an imperative message to stay in my house to avoid contact with others during this time of the flu season. A couple of his patients with CMV (who actually had less severe viral loads than I did) have been hospitalized in ICU and another patient with CMV pneumonia is currently on life support after contracting influenza. The doctor said with my lab work being so grave that catching influenza could easily be fatal for me. So, as our bible study group likes to say, I am on house arrest until my white blood counts are in the normal range and my viral load from CMV is significantly improved.

He gave me the option of being placed in the isolation unit at the hospital but even with that he was concerned of the risk of infection that I could incur just getting to the hospital, through admitting, and to my room. I have opted for the staying quarantined in my home. Steve is being obsessive about hand washing, etc. when he comes home from work or being out around others. Maybe the fire department will come and put up a hazardous materials decontamination shower for him to walk through before entering the house! HaHa. My sweet hubby volunteered to stay somewhere else for the duration of my quarantine but I refused his offer because I can't imagine not being able to see him. Please pray for protection for him while he is out in the world and for me as, again, I learn to sit and wait patiently for my immune system to strengthen!

I would ask your prayers that I will continue to follow the doctor's orders and get the rest and strengthened immune system that I need to fight off this nasty virus! I am not known for following doctor's orders very well a I tend to just push pass the discomfort and keep going with life. I do know how miserable I have felt and I can't even begin to imagine the havoc that would be if I did come down with influenza on top of everything else. I cannot get a flu shot because of how immune compromised I am at this time.

Thank you for all of your prayers and well wishes! They do mean so much and are definitely a bright spot in my days that I admit, can sometimes be very long, especially with this quarantine. There is no time line on the quarantine. It will only end when my white counts are up and my viral load is down. I would appreciate your prayers for immune system improvement.

Also, our ministry at the church is greatly impacted by my being homebound and we are working on getting me set-up with ichat and skype to be able to continue my mentoring/discipling commitments and our counseling with our pre-marrieds from our church. I would ask your prayers that I can figure out all of this technology and stay continued with the things I love so much.

We continue to see God's glory revealed and revel in His plan for suffering and redemption in this fallen world. I have complete confidence that all of this is part of a much larger story that I cannot comprehend with my earthly mind. I am so extremely thankful Jesus loves me this much to include me in His plan for my good and His glory! As always, we cherish each of your prayers and thank you for checking in on us!

In His grasp, Lee

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Messages

Alan Provencher

February 18, 2011, 12:11 AM

Hallelujah! An answer revealed is a step closer to recovery. Cabin fever is probably preferable to any other kind at this point, keep up the good work. Thoughts and prayers are being directed your way.

Kelly Anderson

February 18, 2011, 12:24 AM

Love you Lee, praying for you and Steve. I may need to make another batch of soap for Steve's handwashing :) Hugs and Kisses! Kelly

Di Cieslak

February 18, 2011, 12:26 AM

I miss you like crazy!!!!!!!!!! Praying for you, my dear dear friend :)

Martha Foust

February 18, 2011, 12:29 AM

To our precious daughter we send our love. To our God, the Great Physician, we pray continually for healing and immune system improvement. We will be praying for Steve's protection as well. Loving you, Mom and Dad

Terry Ware

February 18, 2011, 12:33 AM

Lee, So glad to hear from you. You and Steve are and will remain in my prayers. I have a little something for you to read that I will give to Steve tonight as long as he's at the Fire Commissioners Meeting....I pray that Jesus heals you and overwhelmingly fills you with His Joy

Terry Ware

February 18, 2011, 12:33 AM

Lee, So glad to hear from you. You and Steve are and will remain in my prayers. I have a little something for you to read that I will give to Steve tonight as long as he's at the Fire Commissioners Meeting....I pray that Jesus heals you and overwhelmingly fills you with His Joy

Sandi Henry

February 18, 2011, 12:57 AM

Hi Lee, Bill tried to tell me about your diagnosis, but he wasn't very clear! Thank God that your doctor was persistent and that he keeps a good check on you! Sounds like he knows you well. ;-) What a blessing it is to have technology to be able to keep in touch with people when your

quarantined. Nothing's going to keep you down for long!! I pray that your house arrest will pass quickly and that the virus will be completely killed so you can start feeling like your old self. We love you! sandi

Steven Mulkey

February 18, 2011, 1:02 AM

Praying for a swift recovering how that their is clarity on what you have. May God strengthen you and Steve during this time. Thank you for your love for Jesus and heart to serve His mission. You and Steve and loved and relevant.

carol sparks

February 18, 2011, 1:10 AM

Glad to have your update,Lee, and will be in prayer for your time of healing. In Him, Carol Sparks

Steve Braden

February 18, 2011, 1:12 AM

I was glad to hear that you and Steve got alittle R&R. Sorry we missed you but we understand that you had to stay in. Uncle Steve and I will continue to pray for healing and Steve's protection. We love you. Aunt Helen

Joan Bouck

February 18, 2011, 1:19 AM

So glad to hear from you again! I was trying to send you a picture of golden summer flowers with a big bright blue sky, with a few big white billowy clouds (you know, the kind you can make things out of) and warm, bright, healing sunshine to help you feel a little less housebound. Unfortunately, my technical skills in this little box are wanting. But please know you're always in our prayers,

keep getting well! Joan, FD3

Norma Eaton

February 18, 2011, 1:25 AM

Thanks for the update. I will continue to pray for you I haven't been able to make it to grou and really miss it but i get to have an outside life. I can't imagine how bored you must be. If you get skype I'll set up my camera and we can visit or I can put on a sock puppet show for you. Love Norma

Betsy michalik

February 18, 2011, 2:07 AM

Lee! I had CMV many years ago and it was a month of headaches, nausea, some vomiting, weakness, exhaustion etc. that started out strong and as the month wore on decreased til I felt normal again. Praying for strengthening. love, Betsy

Beth Dunlap

February 18, 2011, 2:27 AM

Praying for you! Glad that you received a diagnosis and now know what is going on! I believe it would be very difficult to follow the order of quarantine so I will pray for strength to follow the orders, peace and rest!

sue ensign

February 18, 2011, 5:20 AM

Keep up the good work of getting well! Praying for you and looking forward to your coming out "party"! Susan Ensign<><

Tim Hatmaker

February 18, 2011, 7:13 AM

Hope you start to feeling better soon and we are keeping you in our thoughts and prayers. Follow those orders by the doctor too! Tim Hatmaker and family.

Judi Johnson

February 18, 2011, 3:56 PM

Lee, you continue to be a wonderful witness and source of inspiration. My prayer will be for you and Steve to be protected at this especially vulnerable time and that it won't be too long before "house arrest" can come to a close. May God continue to be with you both. Love & prayers, Judi

Ginger Thomas

February 18, 2011, 4:16 PM

So glad you have some answers! Now just listen to the doctor and heal! Prayers are coming your way. Ginger

Melinda Nelson

February 18, 2011, 8:59 PM

We are thrilled for answers and praying for God's protection and a quick rise in the blood count. This "house arrest" time would be the perfect opportunity to write a book (hint hint) about your journey. What an inspiration you and Steve have been and what a story of strength of Faith and lessons learned that can only come from the Heavenly Father. We love you both!!

Jan Bennett

February 18, 2011, 9:34 PM

So glad you know what it is that you have. I am praying for your complete recovery. You and Steve are a blessing to me because of the grace you are choosing to give and receive as you walk through this trial. Royce Brooks February 19, 2011, 1:03 AM We just read your latest post since we have been in Gatlinburg enjoying your timeshare (Thanks!) and had not checked our email for a couple of days.

Steve told us about your "house arrest" over the weekend, so we have been praying that you will follow the doctor's orders and get the real rest that you need. We know your R&R was anything but restful,

with the travel and other matters you cared enough to get involved in. We pray that God will give you relief from the high fevers and pain, and we are praying that the healing from the CMV will come quickly and completely.

Of one thing we are very sure: GOD IS GOOD--ALL THE TIME!! Love to you and Steve! Royce and Gary

Debby Swecker

February 19, 2011, 3:02 AM

Lee, Have Steve go to Costco or a drug store and purchase a "Sinus Rinse Kit". This is a bottle that you put salt water in and use to flush out the nose and sinuses of any germs that may have been picked up during the day. It will really help him stay healthy. Love ya! Debby

Rae Jean Bettmeng

February 19, 2011, 12:37 PM

You are an amazing women of strength Lee. We love you and Steve so dearly. We are so blessed to have the honor of praying for you both. May God use this time of "house arrest" to minister to you sweetly. If you do get skype to be able to continue your ministry with the couples at church.... we would love to be able to

"skype" with you and Steve. That would be such a gift to us to be able to "see" you both! May your windows at home be filled with some gentle sunshine ... and your "cabin" fever be gone soon! Blessings, Rae Jean Bettmeng

Cherie Leyva

February 20, 2011, 4:08 AM

Lee, Thank you for the recent up date. I am glad the Dr has a path to go down now. Please stay healthy, you are such a strong willed person and your faith in God is so inspiring. I pray for you everyday and can't wait until you can come visit us at the Fire Dept. We miss you. The sinus rinse kit is a great idea!! My husbands immune system is low right now and that is the first thing the Dr.

told him to get. God Bless you and get some rest. Cherie

Molly Swanson

February 21, 2011, 12:27 AM

You are truly a fighter, Lee. I love you so much.

Jason Benjamin

February 22, 2011, 3:31 PM

Thanks for the update! I'm so glad you finally have some answers.

Alissa McPherson

February 23, 2011, 8:39 PM

Thankful that you have an answer! Praying for your immune system and Steve's protection. I agree with Melinda that you should write a book of your jounery during this time of "cabin fever"! Love to you both from Knoxville! Alissa McPherson

Angie Fersner

February 25, 2011, 2:28 AM

Lee, Thank you for your prayers and concern. I have no problem with you listing our site on yours. We need all the prayers we can get. Thank you again! We will keep you in our prayers too.