Turning the Corner

It is with great joy and unceasing thankfulness with which I post this update. I believe I can claim that I have

"turned the corner" physically with the rapid reduction in my pain medications. I am so thrilled to report that the hourly dosing of medication only 7 days ago has improved everyday and today I persevered, with the Lord's strength, and made the 12- hour mark in between doses!

Steve and my mom have been wonderful even when I have been grumpy and agitated during rough times of the withdrawals. I also have had each of you sending encouraging words and praying for me. I don't have adequate words to express my heartfelt gratitude to all of you who have been praying for me and even committed to specific hours of the day and night to pray. I was and am so grateful for the sacrifice of your time on my behalf. I am confident that the Lord has much He wants to teach me and designed this trial for my good and His glory. There is no other explanation for how well the last 7 days have gone in comparison to what I know can happen from personal experience in the past. Sure, the days, and especially the nights, have been really rough but as promised "it will not be more than I can bear." (1 Corinthians 10:13) There is much road ahead to still go. There is still no plan in place to manage the excruciating headaches. The pain persists but so far it has remained mostly tolerable. The withdrawal side effects have reached their peak and are now decreasing with the passing of each and every hour.

Today as I prayed during a rough patch, the Lord brought to mind a powerful verse that had carried me through some critical times following my brain surgery and the resolution of complications from the surgery. My body was systemically failing and the doctors expressed minimal confidence of my survival outside of a few weeks if the complications could not be resolved. The verse brought me much comfort during those difficult days and I found the same true again today. I couldn't remember the reference for the verse so I had gotten my Bible to look up the verse. I stopped to check an email first, though,

and found a note of encouragement from a wonderful lady in our Bible study/Community group from church. The Lord had placed some scripture on her heart to share with me. It was the exact verses I was seconds away from looking up. I love seeing so clearly the hand of God at work!

"Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard. Then you will call, and the Lord will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I ... The Lord will guide you always; He will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail." Isaiah 58:8-9,11.

I am so moved by the mental picture of the Lord being my rear guard. In war, the rear guard protected the warriors from the sneaky attack of the enemy from behind. The Lord is protecting and defending me from attacks that might sneak up or deceive me and bring defeat. How awesome to claim that protection as I am engaged in this very difficult battle.

As I close this update, I would like to ask a special request for prayer for my mom: She flies home Wednesday night on a red-eye flight and then will be undergoing surgery on Friday.

Pray for traveling mercies, wisdom for the surgeons, for my dad as he cares for mom, and Mom, for healing and also encouragement, as she will be mostly homebound for many weeks with limited mobility. It has been a tremendous blessing to have her here with us this past week to provide support, wisdom, humor, and much love! Thanks Mom, I love you.

I covet your prayers as I continue medicine reduction; for perseverance, for improving side effects, for VICTORY! I will be attempting 24 hour dosing over the next few days. Thanks for checking in on us!

Lee and Steve

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Messages

Royce Brooks

June 24, 2009, 9:46 AM

Hallelujah!!! What wonderful news! As I began my intercessory time for you this morning I felt compelled to check your Carepage, yet I actually "argued" that I just needed to keep praying and meditating on God's Word, and should check it later. I'm so glad I went with my heart and found your message posted 2 hrs earlier. I'll write more via email later, but back to my prayer time for now with a much lighter heart. I'll be praying for Martha as she travels and throughout these coming days & wks. Love to the three of

you! Royce

David Foust

June 24, 2009, 12:01 PM

we're so glad for the continued good news. love you!

Sandy Moye

June 24, 2009, 12:13 PM

Oh wonderful! Praise the Lord! Will continue to lift you up in prayer!

Teresa Smith

June 24, 2009, 12:36 PM

Dear Lee & Steve: We have been praying urgently for God's intervention in your immediate medication crisis, and for wisdom and a caring, committed health care provider who will work with you and guide you through a plan for treatment. Our hearts ache for you and we just want you to know that we love you both and will continue to hold you up in prayer. We also pray that Martha will return home safely and recover quickly from her pending surgery. I felt a personal connection to the scripture you shared from Isaiah and want to claim its promise for myself as well. Love & prayers, Teresa & Earl

Marissa Baldwin

June 24, 2009, 1:07 PM

It's great to hear some good news! Marissa Baldwin

Tamara Longworth

June 24, 2009, 2:44 PM

Lee, I received a forward from Bill this morning of an email with this link from Larry Lewis. I've spent the last hour reading your updates and going thru your photos. I have wept. I have smiled. I have laughed, and then wept again. Thank you for telling your story. Thank you for reminding each of us all that we have to be thankful for and all that God gives each of us every day. My heart aches for you, and for Steve, and all that you have been through over the years. Your strength is amazing. Your preserverance unbelievable! I have always known that you were a strong individual - from the days of our school years and you playing sports on into the beginning years of your marriage. We had lost track of your story - maybe with the moves, but I knew if anyone could overcome the medical battles, it was you! Little did I know what battles you were facing these days and all that you have been through. I am glad to have a way to keep up with your story now and I, as well as our family, will be diligently praying for you and Steve. Thank you for touching all of our lives in a way that is unimaginable...hopefully our prayers will be just the beginning of thanks for all that you both have shown to us. Please keep in touch and if there is ever anything we can do for you, let us know. Bill and I both think the world of you and Steve, and we wish you the very best life can offer. You have suffered for so long and you deserve the very best. We love you guys, Tamara and Bill Longworth

Betsy Ramsey

June 24, 2009, 4:08 PM

aaahhhh....God is good. question for you...what are some foods your mom really enjoys?

Nola von Neudegg

June 24, 2009, 4:47 PM

God is so good! Lee, if at some point you would enjoy a visit from a canine friend, I have one who would probably enjoying giving you a "kiss" or two. Nola

Link Hudson

June 24, 2009, 4:56 PM

Awesome news! Praise God! I will continue to pray, and as part of those prayers, I will thank God for how He has revealed Himself through your living testimony!

Melinda Nelson

June 24, 2009, 5:28 PM

I pray for you on a regular basis but throughout this last week God has brought you to my mind over and over and over each day to remind me to pray for you again. I believe it was probably during times when you were struggling the most. God hears the prayers of those who love you. He is not only providing you strength and endurance to get you through this but He is making sure your prayer warriors stay the course. God is going to carry you through this and I rejoice with you and honor His name for the victories you are already seeing. As the praise song goes "I will praise You through the Storm". I will

continue to pray for you both while you travel through this current storm and I am reminded of this past

Sunday's Sunday School Lesson that Jesus is able to calm storms and is in total control of them. When the time comes He will say "peace, be still" to this storm and it will pass!! Stay strong Lee and Steve! You are being carried by prayer of those who love you both!

Krista Maggard

June 24, 2009, 8:27 PM

Lee & Steve, You guys are both such pillars of faith! I become more amazed at your strength and courage with each new post. But of course, with a Mom like yours, how could you be any other way!?!:)(Love ya Martha) As I was reading your last post, I was listening to a song in my son's

room playing: "The voice of truth tells me a different story, the voice of truth says do not be afraid. And the voice of truth says this is for MY glory and with all the voices calling out to me, I will choose to listen and believe the voice of

truth" My prayer is that you continue to hear His voice and feel his comfort and support for you! There is no greater love and I know He will carry you and Steve through this trial. Know that I am praying for you daily and can't wait to see what God has in store for the next chapter. He will only test those He knows can make it through.

Praying for you daily, Krista Maggard

Susan Jenkinson

June 24, 2009, 10:51 PM

Dear Steve and Lee, I am so sorry I have not sent a word of encouragement to you from your last postings. Today was the first day I have been able to check them. I ruptured the L5-S1 disk in my back again and had to have the second back surgery in 2 1/2 years. I got a small peek at some of what you are dealing with when I had to go back into the hospital due to impaction which caused nausea and vomiting that lead to dehydration. I cannot imagine what you go through. I stand amazed at your strength. Please know that even though no messages were sent to you, many were sent to God on your behalf. I wish you guys were closer, so that my husband and I could do more for you. (You would love him. He has such a wonderful heart. I finally got it right. ha-ha. As Melinda says, I finally got a "Gene". or in your case, I finally got a "Steve".) I would just love to catch up with you guys. Your godchild is going into seventh grade!!! Can you believe it? And she is so smart. First honors and in the Nat. Jr. Beta Club. I will try to send a current picture to your email. Of

course along with that I will have to send a picture of my granddaughter. (by marriage of course). I have the best of both worlds. I am still raising my baby and if I get the baby itch, I go visit and realize how much work it is.

So I just spoil her and give her back. I hope my rambling was able to take your mind off things if just for a moment. I miss you guys and cherish the memories we have. I am truly blessed to call you friends. Love to you both. You are in my prayers!!! -Susan Hatton Jenkinson

Susan Jenkinson

June 24, 2009, 11:05 PM

I am so thankful to hear that your body is managing the withdrawl. God has never let you down in the past and He will not let you down today, tomorrow or any day to come. I have witnessed over the years as you have lifted your hands to God, He has reached down and held you. Your faith and strength are such an inspiration. And time after time I have stood in awe as God has been so very present in your life. He will continue to hold you in His arms. Please know that we will continue lift you up to God. I love you guys! Susan Hatton Jenkinson

Charlotte Clark

June 24, 2009, 11:09 PM

Lee and Steve,

This says it all. I hope you can open it. http://www.blessyoumovie.com Charlotte and Charlie

Dan Sharp

June 25, 2009, 2:37 AM

Lee & Steve, This sounds like great news! I will pray for continued improvement and good health. Dan

Mike Heikes

June 25, 2009, 5:51 AM

Lee & Steve, Finally some positive, it will only grow and get better from here,one day at a time. You are in our thoughts and prayers.

Debby Swecker

June 25, 2009, 2:00 PM

Lee, This is great news! I will be praying for you and for your Mom. Debby

Dolores Burtnet1t

June 25, 2009, 8:00 PM

Thank you Lord Says it all!!! Love Dolores

Kelly Wahle

June 25, 2009, 8:53 PM

Lee & Steve, I continue to lift you both up daily. The verse you shared is such an encouragement. Even when the mountains shake, I know the Lord is holding you tightly to his chest. I beg Him that your burdens and pain might be lightened. I might've mentioned this before, but I suffer from daily headaches as well (but different etiology and only for 4 years). For 8 months this winter I was bed-bound and hospitalized twice. As Steve is to you, Lee, my husband was and is my rock. Even though my situation is different than yours, I know what it is to be going through rough nights and rough days. May God carry you on his wings during the roughest of times. And I praise him for the times of hope. I will be praying for your mother. Kelly Wahle.

carol sparks

June 25, 2009, 11:33 PM

Lee, I will continue to pray for you and for your mom. I am so grateful to our Lord Jesus that He has brought you through the roughest part of the medicine reduction. In His grace, Carol

Sparks

Juli Sharp

June 26, 2009, 4:51 AM

hang in there, girlie! i will continue to pray!

carver lovely

June 26, 2009, 1:37 PM

That is wonderful news. You are right, we will not be presented with what we cannot bear. My prayers are with You, Steve and Your Mom. Carver

Ron Mouser

June 26, 2009, 8:25 PM

Hi guys, I am glad to hear the good and encouraging news. May God continue to bless you in this transition process. Indeed, "... I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." My thoughts and prayers are with all you. Ron Mouser

Don Disney

June 29, 2009, 12:44 AM

My heart pains for you and Steve and for your families as you experience so much suffering. You are loved by so many and especially by me. I pray for you and think of you often.

Steve Braden

June 29, 2009, 1:13 PM

Uncle Steve and I are praying for you and Steve daily. Please pray for our revival next week and that God's kingdom will grow through this revival. Your Mom was doing good when we were over visiting on Saturday. I love the machine she has for motivating from one place to another. She is a "trooper" just like you. We love you and Steve, Aunt Helen

Sandi Henry

June 30, 2009, 12:07 AM

Hi guys! We've been out of town and w/o internet access, but we've been praying for you during the day and night. I'm so glad to read your update. You sound like your old self! The passage from Isaiah is beautiful and such a comfort. God is guarding over you and I know He hears our cries, groans, and prayers. We will pray for your mom and dad and for you and Steve as you go for 24 hrs! You can do it! love, sandi

Stephanie Dorsey

June 30, 2009, 11:26 PM

Praise God you feel so victorious at this point!!! Continue to dwell where you are and the 24 hr. time frame will pass with you saying the same thing, you can handle it with Jesus holding you and being your rear guard! Way to go. Love you guys, Stephanie