Birthday Girl

Since we did not achieve the original goal of getting Lee home for her birthday, we decided to just minimize the focus on tubes, wires, and dressing changes while enjoying the bright spots provided by the colorful cards, encouraging videos and thoughtful gifts several of you sent.

We even got to go for a short walk together. While it was certainly not the same as the long strolls on the beach in Hawaii we were enjoying just last month, it was still a precious time for cherished conversation and reflection. The challenges of the past 4 weeks have given Lee a hope and goal that turning 50 next year will actually be a huge upgrade over her experiences of reaching 49.

On the medical front, she continues to have leakage around the new feeding tube, so they have brought in the wound care team who have placed an "ostomy bag" over the site to help capture the drainage and protect her skin. While they give the new tube a break, they restarted her IV based nutrition which replaced the local anesthetic pump that Thor had been carrying around, so his workload has remained fairly constant for a few days now. Before taking our stroll yesterday, Lee's pain level in the surgical area was significantly improved over Friday but, not surprisingly, the walking and extra moving around had her pretty wiped out by the end of the day.

The on-call surgeon stopped in last night after a full day in the OR but was still willing to sit with her and talk through where we are and begin to contemplate potential treatment alternatives moving forward if the new tube site does not improve. We are very thankful for the care and compassion that the entire surgical team has demonstrated even though the treatment course thus far has not gone according to plan. They are all frustrated but aware that the complications Lee is experiencing are just products and reminders of the insidious nature of her connective tissue disease.

In positive news, we are very excited and thankful that Lee's mom will be arriving today to spend almost 2 weeks with us! We all know there's no replacement for a mother's love and care, so I'm very glad she is making the trip. Most of you know that Lee always strives to be the "hostess with the mostess" when entertaining guests, so you can pray for me that I'll be able to step up in her absence at home. We would also ask for your continued prayers for wisdom and clarity on the next steps in her treatment along with the continued improvements in her pain level and stamina.

Thank you!

Steve

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Comments

Eunice Goodwin:

SO thankful to hear Martha will be there! Wishing all of you many blessings!

Mark Colavecchio:

Nothin' like mamma being there with her chicken soup and CheezeWiz lasagna! Was that your mamma's recipe Lee? So wonderful she can be there with you all. We'll keep up the prayer support!

Margaret McPhee:

Continued prayers for good results.

Rebecca M Doty:

Prayers and love for both of you.

Wanda Royal:

I'm so glad Martha will be there soon to help you out with Lee! Praying for you all!

Barbara Sovde:

It is uplifting to read these every day and know that despite setbacks and misery there is joy and hope and love. Thanks.

BILL Terhune:

There is no relationship like that of a mother and daughter. Will pray for health and safe travels for mom, continuing progress on feeding options and diminished pain for Lee, and ongoing lighting of the path and fueling of the perseverance fire for you.

Steve Braden:

Continuing to pray for wisdom for the doctors and strength for Lee. We love you guys. I know Martha was excited to come out there. ❤❤