Breaking the Silence

Hello all,

This is Steve....You obviously know that Lee hasn't posted any updates here in over a year now. The primary reason was that she was growing weary of posting only "down" or "negative" news rather than sharing more encouraging progress. In hindsight, she regrets not having kept you more up-to-date on things and wanted me to apologize for her silence. We have both truly valued the continued prayers and encouraging words that many of you have offered on our behalf. I write this note from her bedside at St. Peter's Hospital in Olympia where she is back for the third time in about as many months. While the end of last year and the early months of 2013 were fairly stable and marked primarily by her "normal" swings in day-to-day health, this spring she has experienced a steady increase in the severity and diversity of her medical challenges. Significant swings in her blood pressure have caused her to pass out several times and she required some stitches for forehead cut following a fall back in May. Her chronic nausea and vomiting has increased markedly in the past several weeks and that, along with additional irregularities in her heart rhythms, have kept her from being able to regulate her symptoms with her oral medications leading to the two most recent hospitalizations. This week she has had a central line placed to allow for more regular fluid replacement and aggressive treatment of her nausea and vomiting in hopes of allowing her to keep down both medications and nutrition. She is also battling severe headaches in the region of her brain surgery from thirteen years ago.

The next steps in her treatment plan are still being formulated but likely consist of referring her back out to more specialized centers in order to determine the root cause(s) of her worsening symptoms. These referrals are likely to include either Seattle area research hospitals, her physician group in New York who treated her previously, the MAYO Clinic, or some combination thereof. We have great friends and co-worker support here but the distance from family is an added dimension that is different now than when we walked through similar situations over 10 years ago. This separation makes it more difficult for both Lee and our families as they struggle with wanting to be closer to one another during times like these. Our primary request at this point is simply for your prayers for wisdom and discernment; both for us and Lee's doctors as we seek both some relief of her immediate symptoms and a longer term strategy of where/how we go from here. Our gracious God continues to give us everything we need in his timing and we stand on the promise this will continue. I will work to provide more timely updates when Lee isn't up to it (I know hers are much more eloquent and enjoyable to read) and thank you again for your love and prayers on her behalf.

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Messages

Di Cieslak

September 11, 2013, 9:44 PM

Thank you so much for the update, Steve. Praying like crazy for you guys. You're on our hearts in a big way.

Linda Hamilton

September 11, 2013, 9:45 PM

Thank you so much for the update Steve. Will be praying everything you are requesting, and also comfort, peace and strength for both of you. God bless you both, Linda Hamilton (Priest River, Idaho)

Nola von Neudegg

September 11, 2013, 9:46 PM

Sending positive thoughts and prayers. Nola

Steve Crimmins

September 11, 2013, 9:54 PM

Continued prayers from the Crimmins family.

Betsy michalik

September 11, 2013, 10:01 PM

Praying sister...asking God to minister Healing to your body and bouy your heart

Betsy michalik

September 11, 2013, 10:01 PM

Praying sister...asking God to minister Healing to your body and bouy your heart

Joy Robertson

September 11, 2013, 10:21 PM

Kyle and I are praying for you and Lee. We love you both. Hugs from the Robertson family

Bob Moye

September 11, 2013, 10:24 PM

Steve and Lee, We are praying for you guys!! Thank you for updating us and allowing us to pray for you! In Him! Bob and Sandy Moye

Lisa Currall

September 11, 2013, 10:26 PM

Praying....

Lisa Currall

September 11, 2013, 10:27 PM

Praying....

Ruth Warner

September 11, 2013, 10:41 PM

I am sorry to hear of the trials Lee has had over the past year. I will continue to pray their will be a resolution to the continuing issues.

Jason Benjamin

September 11, 2013, 10:53 PM

Thank you for the update, Steve. You both are still in my thoughts and prayers!

Carolyn Hamby

September 11, 2013, 11:01 PM

Praying for you both and your families. May God immerse you in His grace, wisdom, and strength!

Molly Swanson

September 11, 2013, 11:14 PM

Prayers for you, my dear amazing friends. Forgive my absence from your lives. I miss you and think of you often. Much Love.

Cindy Hambly

September 11, 2013, 11:38 PM

Thank you Steve for the update. My heart goes out to you and Lee. Please know we are all out here thinking and praying for both of you everyday. As always if there is anything else we can do please let us know. With much love, Cindy

Shirley Keith

September 11, 2013, 11:39 PM

I admire your strength! I will be praying for you and your families and I send LOVE. Steve, you write (compose) beautifully. Thank you. Shirley

Lucy Hosenfeld

September 11, 2013, 11:48 PM

Thank you for the update Steve, you all are in our prayers! Andy and Lucy Hosenfeld

Eunice Goodwin

September 12, 2013, 12:09 AM

Will keep you both (and your families) in our prayers. May you and the medical professionals find the right answers. Have missed hearing from you!! Much love, Eunice and Dan

Sandy Temple

September 12, 2013, 12:10 AM

Continued prayers for you all.....

Sandy Cooper

September 12, 2013, 12:37 AM

We are praying for you every day. Sandi

**Henry September** 12, 2013, 1:13 AM I'm so sorry to hear about what you guys have been going through. We will be in prayer for relief for Lee, wisdom for the doctors, and peace for your families as they are so far away. If we can do something to help them, please let us know. Love you, Bill and Sandi

Dennis Hackworth

September 12, 2013, 2:11 AM

Praying as you ask, thanks for letting us know how we can pray for ya'll. Miss and love ya

Roger Badger

September 12, 2013, 2:33 AM

Dearest Lee & Steve, Thank you for the update and the recharging of my prayers to you both. Of course you have my prayers of wisdom and discernment. A miracle will come................. Roger B.

Emily Dreyer

September 12, 2013, 3:48 AM

I'm so sorry...will keep you guys in my thoughts and prayer. Love, Emily www.carepages.com/carepages/EmilyDreyer

Patricia Maddi

September 12, 2013, 4:03 AM

I don't usually post but do follow Brooks journey. I am so grateful for this update. Please let her know that there are many people like me who may complete strangers but care about her and keep her in our thoughts and prayers. Warmest regards, Patricia Maddi NYC

Jeanne Blanton

September 12, 2013, 4:54 AM

Sending my love to you both. I think of you often. I will continue to keep you in my prayers and will add prayers of wisdom for you, Dr's and your family. Jeanne Blanton

Kathy Hodge

September 12, 2013, 6:30 AM

Love and prayers for you both.

Steve Braden

September 12, 2013, 1:17 PM

Only a devoted loving husband can write the words you have written. Uncle Steve and I will continue to pray for guidance for the doctors. We lift you and Lee in prayer and remember that God is always on time. With love, Aunt Helen

Kathy Riley

September 12, 2013, 1:55 PM

Sending my Love to you both. I will be praying for all the situations mentioned. Tell Lee that Jennifer is pregnant with a boy, due next month (October) and his name will be Riley. Hugs, Kathy Riley

Joan Bouck

September 12, 2013, 5:09 PM

I'm so sorry to hear what a rough time of it you guys are having! As always, if there's anything you need, please let me know if I can help, you're both in my prayers. Joan, Lacey Fire

Debby Swecker

September 12, 2013, 6:37 PM

Thanks for the update. I will be praying for wisdom, direction, peace and healing. Love you both very much!

Julie Greene

September 12, 2013, 8:36 PM

Love and prayers. Julie and Brad Dolores Burtnett September 12, 2013, 10:27 PM Thank you for the update! You have both been in my thoughts and prayers. Many times I have wished for news hoping that no news was good news! I will continue to pray for you both and her Doctors. Love always Dolores

Abigail Echols

September 12, 2013, 11:38 PM

We've been thinking about you guys a lot in the last few weeks. We wish it were better news, but appreciate the update. We will continue praying for you guys, and know that we love and miss you!

- The Echols

sue ensign

September 13, 2013, 4:11 PM

Every time I see you is an instant blessing from God. Obviously nothing can make your gorgeous smile less warm and wonderful. Of course I will be praying for you. Susan

Norma Eaton

September 13, 2013, 11:00 PM

Thank you for the update. I am so sad Lee to hear of your physical struggles. I am praying for you both. Love Norma Eaton

Karen Lesko

September 14, 2013, 1:19 AM

I will keep you both in my prayers. Karen cp:karenslife

Cherie Leyva

September 14, 2013, 5:48 PM

My prayers are with you both and the team of Doctors behind you. Cherie Leyva

Wendy Sternshein

September 14, 2013, 6:28 PM

Steve and Lee, you are in my heart and I am sending positive thoughts your way. May they surround you.

Amy Garland

September 14, 2013, 7:19 PM

Sending a big hug to you both ... but wishing instead I was right there to give it! I miss you all and think of you often. Pastor Mike preached on Jeremiah 33:3 this past Sunday. "Call to me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things which you do not know." Upon reading your

update, this scripture immediately came to mind. I know you both call to Him and I join in, praying that

He would show you answers and make His presence in every moment abundantly clear. Much love-Amy Garland

carver lovely

September 15, 2013, 2:45 PM

You two are in my prayersd. Terri Gilbert September 15, 2013, 10:14 PM Lee I'm sending prayers and the thought of a little green army man we share for strength. I love you Steve for loving my girl so dearly and completely. With prayers of strength and comfort Terri and Zan

Beth Dunlap

September 21, 2013, 2:49 AM

Praying for you both!