Action-Packed Month

It's hard to believe it's been well over a month since our last update but quite a lot has transpired, so I wanted to bring you up to speed. First, Lee's bowel blockage I had shared about in mid-June did resolve over the course of about two weeks and the majority of July went according to plan as we settled in to the daily home infusions and weekly labs with port

and dressing changes. While Lee had fully intended to personally post to both thank everyone for your prayers and update you on her progress, we had a fairly significant and unexpected life change pop up in early to mid July.

Though we were not looking to move, we had a very unique opportunity arise when some dear friends from our church let us know they are planning to relocate out of state and would be selling their home. After talking further with them and prayerful consideration, we decided to buy their house just across town and sell our home of over 15 years (by far the longest we've ever lived anywhere!). We were very blessed by the current state of the real estate market and our house was sold in less than 48 hours. For those of you who know Lee well, you can likely anticipate that she immediately started planning and organizing for the moving process, which we anticipate completing before the end of August. I came home the day after we signed the sale agreement on our house to find most everything already taken off the walls and replaced by a large schedule and Gantt chart😳😬. Everything was progressing according to plan until the past few days, which brings me to the latest health updates...

Unfortunately, last weekend Lee started having some severe head and body aches followed closely by a significant fever. Because of her implanted port and gastric tubes, we had been instructed to get evaluated quickly if any signs of infection appeared. We made a first trip to the ER last weekend, but after waiting for about 6 hours to be seen Lee's fever had resolved and they decided to send her home without further evaluation. When the home infusion nurse came and drew labs early in the week, the results indicated a significant blood infection. Lee's surgeon told us she had to come back to the hospital for admission and further evaluation. After another 2 1/2 day stay in the ER waiting for a room, last night she finally made it back to the 7th floor (#711, so we celebrated with Slurpees!) where she spent most of May and early June. The staff here has welcomed her with open arms and they've been getting caught up on each others' life changes from the past 45 days. The blood cultures indicate an infection around Lee's port site, so they are running IV antibiotics and repeating the cultures every 48 hours. Once the cultures are clear, the plan is to allow her to return home to complete the 14 day antibiotic regimen. Right now it looks like Tuesday might be the earliest opportunity for her to escape. For now she's resting pretty comfortably while she mentally alters her packing and moving plans to account for the "lost" days in the hospital.

Finally, we want to also thank you for your prayers about reconnecting with the Mayo Clinic. We've had a few virtual appointments and will be returning to Phoenix in person on September 12th. They have a plan to reverse the failed J Tube (it has still not healed to a level of

being functional) and return to a shared venting and feeding tube system with a new method securing it to hopefully avoid the previous complications of the feeding tube recoiling in to her stomach. We are very encouraged by the prospect of this solution and would really appreciate your prayers for its success. Lee will also get to see her cardiology team and have her required annual follow ups for her aortic aneurysm while we are there, so we are very thankful for the opportunity to maximize the value of this trip.

We'll keep you updated as we work through the next phases of this journey. I know this was a long post, so thanks for hanging in to the end and for all of your prayers

and support!

Steve

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Comments

Steve Braden:

Thanks for the update. We are so glad Lee finally got a room. Especially, on the 7th floor. I will repeat Ellen's statement. Tennessee prayer warriors are behind you guys. We love you. Praying for you both

Sandy Temple:

I continue to lift you all up in prayer. Much love and lots of hugs to you both....

Natasha Sundquist :

Praying for you guys, thank you for the update.

Ellen Bunch :

Love you Steve and Lee Bob!!! You both have a hugh cheering squad back in Tennessee...or I should say prayer Warriors. I'm so glad you can be with her when you can. Give her a BIG hug from Aunt Ellen.

James Broman:

Wow!! Prayers!

Rebecca M Doty:

Prayers being sent to both of you.

Eunice Goodwin:

One more hurdle! Prayers for you both!

Rae Jean Bettmeng:

We love you both so very much! Praying for mercy, stamina, and peace in the days ahead. The testimony you are to others is such a gift. Those who are fortunate enough to either read your posts or see you in person are blessed beyond measure! Please give each other a tender and long overdue hug from me! Love you both!

Barbara Sovde:

I've been praying and hoping for good news. Thanks for sharing this. Prayers continue.

Karren Logan:

God Bless you both. Praying for strength and peace, to follow you all on this journey. Love you both.

Elizabeth Holmes:

Continued prayers for strength and healing. Thank you for the updates.

BILL Terhune:

Will continue prayers and be specific to recent content you have shared. We love you both.