Progressing Well!

You can see how far Lee has come by taking a look at the newest photo. Her P.T. buddy/cheerleader Meghan took her for

a stairclimbing expedition yesterday and said Lee summited in record time for having had two surgeries in less than a week (Meghan also made some other fairly disparaging comments about the whining/resistance she was getting from male patients who had gone through much less, but my pride prevents me from sharing those comparisons). Yesterday lived up to its reputation for being the roughest from a pain and stiffness standpoint, but Lee pushed through and got in 3 good walks in addition to the stairs.

She had a bit of a scare overnight when she awoke to find "several" white coats standing over her and bombarding her with questions about day, date, time, Presidents, and the like (all of which she admittedly struggles with when she's not on medicines). Apparently, some combination of her medicines and some mild dehydration caused her blood pressure to drop and the nurses couldn't get her to respond for several minutes. She got some extra IV fluids and her legs elevated for a while and everything returned to acceptable levels. She's already been out for another walk around the unit this morning and each one has been a bit longer than the last.

Dr. B. was through for his morning rounds and says that discharge over the weekend is a good possibility if things continue to progress as anticipated. The goal is to get Lee out of the hospital for a day or two before we leave town just to make certain everything is going well before we get too far away. Our current plan is that, once we're ready to leave the Big Apple, we're going to load up in my parent's RV and make our way south to Tennessee for several days of rehab before the flight back across the country.

Please continue your prayers for Lee's pain to be manageable and for the logistics of discharge and travel to come together smoothly. I will update again once we have some more definitive plans.

Steve

Messages

Lisa Currall

December 20, 2013, 4:35 PM

Sounds like hard work but progress. Still praying. We hope you all somehow get to be together and out of hospital jail for Christmas. Blessings~

Debby Swecker

December 20, 2013, 4:40 PM

Excellent! This couldn't have gone much better than it has. Thank you Lord!

Rae Jean Bettmeng

December 20, 2013, 4:42 PM

So thankful to hear of the healing taking place. Lee you are an amazing testimony to each of us of how God can work in mighty ways! Steve you are a testimony to what faithfulness to our loved ones should look like. We are so blessed to be part of both of your lives!

Carter & Deanna Barnes

December 20, 2013, 4:43 PM

God's amazing grace is apparent. The progression seems so fast and we are so happy to hear all the positivity. Prayers are definitely being heard and answered. How comforting! Prayers continue, especially for departure and travel plans, as well as for a blessed holiday outside hospital walls! Sending love! Sande' Korp December 20, 2013, 4:44 PM Lee & Steve, My church family and friends throughout the country are praising God for the miracle of your surgery Lee. We all are continuing our prayers for you and look forward to your "Going Home" update. May God continue to bless! Sande' Korp Brian VanCamp December 20, 2013, 4:47 PM Great progress report! By the way, who is the president now?

Nola von Neudegg

December 20, 2013, 4:48 PM

At that pace she'll be running a 10K with me in the spring. Yah Lee!!!!

Susan Jenkinson

December 20, 2013, 4:50 PM

Way to go Lee!!! You are my hero! I jumped for joy when I saw you were headin south. I know you will need your rest and that so many will want to visit with you, but if there is any way to squeeze in a visit from me I would be honored and thrilled!! Just give me a call if it's at all

possible. 865-384-7536. Love you guys!!!!

Steve Crimmins

December 20, 2013, 4:50 PM

Good news Chief! Best wishes from everyone on A-Shift.

Eunice Goodwin

December 20, 2013, 4:52 PM

Steve, you must write a book someday. You constantly engage us with your great desriptions and humor. So thankful you continue to be such a tough gal, Lee. Will pray for

continued progress. Eunice

James Vandergriff

December 20, 2013, 4:54 PM

Sounds like a good plan to me. Hope you all have a great Christmas traveling with Scrooge ( Gary) lol Will continue my prayers . Ed

Judy Wilson

December 20, 2013, 5:28 PM

I'm so happy to hear that progress continues. Greetings and congratulations to Lee for being such a good patient. Steve, I hope you are taking care of yourself as well. I think it's harder to watch a person you love go through this than do it yourself.

We had a little taste of your weather today with a dusting of snow in the South Sound but enough in the north to have all channels bore us with the tiniest detail of roads in Seattle. Not going to last till Christmas. Hope the weather in the east will

improve to make your journey south uneventful. Always great to get good news from you and Lee. I'm glad you like to use these electronic devices to keep us all posted. May the Lord continue bless you and watch over you. Judy

Terry Puckett

December 20, 2013, 5:34 PM

OH PRAISE THE LORD! I feel Lee on those questions they asked her - I have trouble remembering the date and day myself!! LOL So glad things are going so well. For sure will continue with prayer and I know Royce

& Gary will love having you "home" for Christmas, as will Lee's parents. Love You Both

Sandi Henry

December 20, 2013, 6:20 PM

Oh my, Lee continues to amaze! I'm not surprised that Lee can outdo the men. :-) She can outdo anyone. We'll just have to call her Super Woman. Praying for

everything to continue to go well. Jan Bennett December 20, 2013, 6:37 PM Thank You Jesus for your continued grace and faithfulness to Lee and Steve! Please continue to bless them and give them wisdom for the best plans. Please help Lee's pain to be managed very well. Amen Thank you for the photos and the humor :) and your very excellent updates.

Amy Garland

December 20, 2013, 6:44 PM

Reading your posts and hearing your's and Lee's humor SO makes me smile! So thankful Lee is progressing well. Will pray for continued healing, pain relief, and travel. Much love-Amy

Robert Randall

December 20, 2013, 7:16 PM

Awesome news. Have a very merry Christmas and we will be thinking of you on the trip back. The Randalls

Ruth Warner

December 20, 2013, 7:24 PM

This is ALL great news! Lee has an awesome medical team, wonderful family/friend support, and our Lord in her heart. Thank you, Lord.

Joan Bouck

December 20, 2013, 7:56 PM

It sounds like a rough night but so glad things are progressing right along. Woke up thinking about you, Lee, this a.m. and all morning, and am glad you're up and around today.

You're such a trooper and great job! I hope all of you are able to get back to Tennessee soon and can celebrate a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year when you get there! Happy Holidays to all of you! Joan LFD3

melanie bittle

December 20, 2013, 8:15 PM

You guys are amazing and inspiring. Lee is a wonderful example of Christ in all that she has gone through, continued prayers for the whole family.

Lucy Hosenfeld

December 20, 2013, 9:46 PM

Give us a call when you get to Tennessee! So glad she's doing so well!

Jason Roberts

December 20, 2013, 9:48 PM

We appreciate the frequent updates and are so happy to hear Lee continues to improve. You continue to be in our thoughts and prayers. The Roberts Family

Sandy Temple

December 20, 2013, 10:08 PM

Praying for a smooth recovery and safe travels to Knoxville! Evalyn Forlines December 21, 2013, 1:04 AM Oh how brave you both are. If we didn't believe in God we wouldn't believe how well you are doing. We do Thank God and continue our prayers. Bruce and Evalyn

Emily Dreyer

December 21, 2013, 4:46 AM

I am so happy to hear how you are progressing! No matter what kind of day I'm having, whenever I read these updates I just get a smile! Love, Emily

Carolyn Hamby

December 21, 2013, 12:33 PM

Great news! So sorry about the scare during the night. Praying for continued improvement and I know Martha is thrilled that you plan to head to TN! Abundant blessings

to you both and Merry CHRISTmas!

Carol Heck

December 21, 2013, 1:08 PM

You are welcome to stay with us, but we have 2 large dogs indoors, Carol & David

Sandy Cooper

December 21, 2013, 1:41 PM

Lee keep up the good work. Go slow and enjoy the trip to TN. Have a Merry Christmas. Love to both you & Steve. Bless you both Uncle Sandy & Jay

Chris Hill

December 21, 2013, 4:26 PM

Great news! The Lord is by your side, Lee. We pray for your continued strength. Chris & Bob Hill

Bill Terhune

December 21, 2013, 9:42 PM