Overdue Update

First I want to say how overwhelmed and humbled Steve and I were by your outpouring of congratulatory notes on Steve's selection as Fire Chief of Lacey Fire District Three. We were truly blessed by all of your kind words! Thank you so much for the blessings!

After Steve's selection as Fire Chief we were able to get away to celebrate and yes, rest. We combined a conference in San Diego with some extra extended vacation time at a beachfront condo in Carlsbad, California. It was a nice two weeks away for sure! We returned home to enter the busy holiday season with a large Christmas party that we hosted at our lake house for our church community group and lake neighbors and then Steve's parents were able to fly to Lacey on Christmas Day and stay with us almost two weeks to join in for all of the festivities of Steve's official swearing in ceremonies and the private party I hosted for him celebrating his promotion with all his friends from near and far. A special thanks to all of you who came to these events and made them so special for both of us. You mean so much to us! We had a long week of great parties!! So, as Steve says -- now time to get to work! His first day as Chief was January 1. We appreciate your prayers as he takes on this leadership role and the responsibilities that it entails. Steve's life verse for his work ethic is: "Whatever you do, work at with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men." Colossians 3:23 (Enough said)

So, I have put off an update on me long enough. I have been scolded by several people in the last week for not updating but I have been enjoying all of the positive posts about Steve!! When I posted last in April I was still recovering from the CMV virus with crushing headaches and fevers. At that point in time, Steve and I made the hard decision to stop pursuing testing for other possible causes of my other symptoms and let things settle out over time to bring clarity to the clinical picture. It was a decision made with much prayer. Things did settle down and allowed a much clearer clinical picture to emerge as the CMV virus cleared up. It was the right decision because after a period of some good quiet months a cluster of symptoms emerged in intensity at the same time. They were obviously connected.

When the symptoms started initially they were identical to my brainstem compression symptoms from 1988-2000 of specific cardiac arrhythmias and frequent nausea/vomiting. Headaches of course are a given. Within a day though I developed a constant whooshing sound in my head and loud ringing in my ears. I couldn't sit still for hours on end. Then gushing nosebleeds. This would last for hours and then just stop for a few hours and then start up all over again. There seemed to be a baseline of arrhythmias and nausea and then just this intermittent stuff. I was miserable. Long story short -- A check of my blood pressure at its highest was 260/200. New symptoms I didn't have before from my brainstem compression. We know that since 2007 I have new cervico-cranial settling that has caused new brainstem compression posteriorly (the previous compression was anteriorly that I had surgery to correct in 2000). These symptoms could arise out of the new brainstem compression possibly accounting for the differences. There is not a surgical solution currently to fix my posterior brainstem compression. I have started alpha blockers, beta blockers (leaves me fatigued), and 2 diuretics to lower my blood pressure (pee a lot). It is now better. Not in the normal range but lower. I am on an anti-arrhythmic for my heart and that is working great! I am on a medicine that is lowering the intra-cranial pressure in my brain and that is helping my headaches some. I am taking Zofran, an anti-nausea medicine used typically with chemotherapy treatments, and that helps about 50% of the time so that is good. So basically what we are up against is trying to figure out is if this is truly based out of the brainstem or is it something else like endocrine/GI? The cardiologist has already ruled out any cardiac problems. The only way to know is to do some rule out tests so that will be our next steps.

Upcoming: Thursday-HIDA Nuclear Medicine Scan of liver, gallbladder, bile ducts, small intestines. Primary Care Doctor working up plan to test cortisol levels and coordinate with endocrinologist for further testing. (Certain hormone releases can cause elevations in blood pressure as well as nausea and vomiting)

Of course I just hope it is just too much of a hormone that is circulating for some reason. Wow. That would be great! A simple answer. I have also been on this journey long enough to know sometimes it is not a simple answer and truly, I am okay if it is not a simple answer because my hope does not rest in my health or the things of this world. I find my joy in Jesus, not in good or perfect health. I don't say that lightly. This has been a long journey of learning the ways of Jesus. Thanks for your prayers as we sort through the tests ahead. I promise an update sooner than later!

Thanks for checking in on us. Your support means so much to us!

Love,

Lee and Steve

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Messages

Eunice Goodwin

February 8, 2012, 7:24 PM

So glad you had good vacation and holidays. Love and prayers for answers on your continuing health problems. We think of you both often. Eunice and Dan carol o'farrell February 8, 2012, 7:28 PM Thanks for sharing our news of all the festivities surrounding Steve's swearing in and of your continuing health journey. You are in our daily prayers--always. Carol and Gerry

Ruth Warner

February 8, 2012, 7:45 PM

Thanks for the update. Your attitude toward all these health issues is refreshing. Prayers will be said for you as you pursue a diagnosis.

Linda Hamilton

February 8, 2012, 8:02 PM

Thanks so much for the update....it's always good to hear from you. Will be praying for you here in Priest River, Idaho!! :o)

sue ensign

February 8, 2012, 8:59 PM

Lee, Thanks for your update. What a joy to know you know joy in Jesus! Susan<><

Jason Benjamin

February 8, 2012, 9:28 PM

Thanks for the update! I miss you both and would love to see you if you ever get back to TN.

Debby Swecker

February 8, 2012, 9:49 PM

For most people life is a mixture of good and bad. Thank you for sharing both. I will be praying for your health Lee. It continues to be a challenge for you both. I love you.

Bob Moye

February 8, 2012, 9:51 PM

Thank you for update! Congrats to Steve again and we will be in prayer for this latest part of the journey for you, Lee. We love and miss you guys! Bob and Sandy (Erin and Nathan)

Jill Shelton

February 8, 2012, 10:29 PM

Think about you guys often & praying for you as well. My Dad ran into your Mom, Lee the other day and they were catching up on you, then Daddy called to asked me if'd heard from you guys and I had said NO. So I'm thankful for the update and I'll pass it

along to him. I'm glad your hanging in there, praying your tests go well

& Steve is really enjoying his new position!

Lisa Currall

February 8, 2012, 10:45 PM

It is lovely to read an update about you both. As residents of Lacey we are thrilled to have a Christian Chief!! I'm sorry your symptoms are so difficult. Since we last saw you our daughter had the new cranio-cervical fusion with Dr. B and is doing so much better. Mine is still good and we have a son with the high BP problems and heart issues due to the brainstem compression like you. With all the new things at TCI we are confident the children will get things taken care of. I pray the same for you. Another of our children had some of the same symptoms as you, was on Diamox then had a VP shunt and is doing much better. I too have high brain pressure and use Diamox and it helps. I actually get to see Dr. B in about 3 weeks! I think we're all from another planet with all this mumbo-jumbo! I'm thankful to hear you've found some resolution of symtoms at least part of the time right now. I think of you and pray often.... Warm Regards and Blessings~ Lisa

Mary Currall

February 8, 2012, 11:21 PM

Oh my goodness Lee ... you bear such an extraordinary cross, and yet continue to posses such perseverance and strength. I don't mind saying that my mouth was continually dropping open as I read this post. I am completely struck with wonder at how you continue to fight on through this

battle day after day ... you are greatly admired and are an extraordinary example. You are kept in my thoughts and in my prayers everyday. God bless you ... and congratulations to Steve ... I'm sure you are very proud. Keep Smiling,

~♥Mary♥~

Betsy michalik

February 9, 2012, 1:07 AM

Thanks for sharing. Congrats again to Steve! We are very proud of you! Lee, you press on with unimaginable perseverance. Keep going! Love, Jim and Betsy

Sandi Henry

February 9, 2012, 2:38 AM

Lee, you were on my heart last night, and I said a little prayer for you. I hope you are on the way to getting some good answers and better health. We love you (and Steve too!).

Cindy Hambly

February 9, 2012, 6:03 PM

Just wanted you to know everyday I send prayers and positive thoughts your way.. I know they work! I wish there was more we could do. Lots of love to both of you Cindy

Steve Braden

February 9, 2012, 6:41 PM

Uncle Steve and I contiune to pray for both of you. We love you. Aunt Helen

Royce Brooks

February 9, 2012, 7:21 PM

Lee, thanks so much for the update. When we don't get a call back from Steve we realize he is really busy, and don't want to add to his pressure, but also find ourselves wondering if you are experiencing more of these blood pressure crisis, etc. It is good to know about your tests today. Please keep us posted, and as always we are praying for both of you. LOVE YOU!! Royce

Amy Moore

February 9, 2012, 9:07 PM

Thanks for the update. We have been wondering how things were going for you. We will certainly be lifting you and the doctors up during these test. Amy & Chris Moore

D Ward

February 10, 2012, 3:35 AM

Dearest Lee and Steve, Know that our love and prayers are with you as you move forward. Thank God for your love for one another and for Jesus. We love y'all. Don, Debby and Chuck

Jeanne Blanton

February 10, 2012, 7:15 AM

Thank you for the update and it was so good to hear from you! :o) You are both always in my prayers and I think of you every time I drive into Fawn Lake! I

now know how to pray... Love you guys! God Bless.

Don Disney

February 13, 2012, 1:18 PM

Congratulations to you both! I am proud for you! A great and alsome accomplishment. Still loving you in Knoxville!!!!!!!Don

Norma Eaton

February 18, 2012, 6:32 PM

Will be praying for you. Love Norma