Sweet Reunion

After our longest time apart since I first moved to Washington over 16 years ago, Lee and I finally got to be in the same space together yesterday! While the masks, tubes, pumps, and almost constant cycle of staff didn't necessarily create the best "vibe", it was a truly precious gift to reunite with my best friend of now over 35 years!

Lee's surgeon came through to visit while I was there so getting talk with her in person and detail was also a blessing. The doctor was very compassionate about Lee's setback (the tube site continued having significant leakage anytime she got up or moved around yesterday) and was very honest that she's both saddened and challenged by the latest setback. She had ordered a CT Scan to evaluate the surgical area and tube placement in the hope that there was a specific abscess or other reversible cause for the leakage. No such "smoking gun" was identified but rather evidence that Lee's chronic lack of GI motility is likely causing back pressure throughout her intestinal tract.

The current plan is to stop all usage of this new feeding tube for "quite a while" in the hope that as more healing occurs without interruption that it may more effectively seal up. This will require a return to the IV based "TPN" for nutrition through her central line. The surgeon also ordered some new injections directly in to Lee's abdomen that are supposed to help stimulate her GI tract. This is a treatment that Lee has undergone in years past and creates some pretty uncomfortable abdominal cramping, so you might imagine she's not looking very forward to that so soon after surgery.

The path and timeline toward coming home is still undefined but the primary hurdle to overcome before even starting to have that conversation is the reduction of the site leakage. Prayers for this and maximizing the GI treatments while minimizing the painful side effects would be most appreciated. As always, thanks for checking in and walking with us!

Steve

---

Comments

Sandy Temple:

Made my day to see the two of you together! Praying for answers, and "a fix" for the issues at hand. As always, much love and hugs to you all.

Jan Bennett:

Continuing to pray for both of you. I'm holding this hard season with you. I'm especially praying for Lee to feel surrounded by God's love, peace, comfort and blessing on her birthday tomorrow.

BILL Terhune:

T'was so good to see you two together. We'll continue to pray for recurring visits with minimal separation intervals. With your post our prayers will be more specific, thank you. Love you

Rebecca M Doty:

Thank you for the updates. I pray that God will grant wisdom to the doctors and speed healing for Lee.

Jane Levin:

Thank you for your updates, Steve. So happy you can be together and we continue to pray for healing as well as peace in the storm!

Bruce Ensign:

Absolutely will be praying for you two! Thank you for posting updates so we know how to pray. We love you guys!

Judy Wilson:

I know your presence is a positive boost for Lee. So glad you can be together. Prayers for improvement, pain management, and guidance to the medical team.

Steve Braden:

We are praying for less pain from GI treatment and God's healing from the leakage. We love you guys. The picture is precious ❤❤

sandra henry:

It's wonderful to see you two together! Will pray that Lee tolerates the treatment and gets relief. Sending lots of love from Tennessee.

Elizabeth Holmes:

Thank you for the updates. Continued prayers.