Finally Results

The good news -- I no longer have to keep my phone with me all the time! Five days of needing to be "attached" to my phone while waiting for the doctor to call was absolutely exhausting! Ha ha! I truly don't know how some of you remain sane with no break from technology, instant communication, and no peace and quiet.

So, the not so good news -- The tests over the last couple of weeks have revealed that I have several enlarged lymph nodes in the mediastinum (area around the heart and lungs) that is consistent with the suspicion of lymphoma. Additionally, I

have two masses in my pelvis, another mass in my right kidney, and a lesion in/on my liver. Even after having some time to process, those words were still just as hard to type as they were to initially hear. So, where do we go from here?

The next steps will be having a PET Scan and possibly a Gallium Scan to evaluate the cellular activity of these places. While standard imaging studies show the structures of the body and any abnormalities in the structures like masses, etc.,

PET and Gallium scans show the activity of the cells within these structures. The scans are highly sensitive in revealing active cancer cells but they are equally sensitive to identifying infection and inflammation. Apparently long-term, chronic infections and prolonged treatment with high dose antibiotics can alter test results up to a couple of months after the infection has cleared and the antibiotics have been discontinued. Because it hasn't been too long since my eight-month E.coli infection has cleared as well as eight months on high dose antibiotics, it will be best to wait three or four weeks to do these next scans. This waiting should greatly decrease the chances of false positives from the scans that could lead to unnecessary or less than optimal selection of the sites to biopsy. The areas of concern from my scans would involve fairly invasive biopsy procedures because of their location. So, waiting a few weeks in order to have a more reliable scan to evaluate and select the best biopsy site is definitely in my best interest. Sure, having to wait for yet more information is discouraging but understanding the benefits makes it bearable. Steve and I are settling in with the reality that a lymphoma diagnosis may be only weeks away and, of course, there are a lot of thoughts running through our minds and a lot of

emotions running through our hearts. I am too tired now to share more thoughts. We do have an inner strength and peace from Jesus that is ultimately sustaining us but we are also weary of the slow, draining process that leads to answers. And yes, there are moments, even days, of sadness about what might be. However, sadness is not despair and we count ourselves blessed to be surrounded by caring family and friends and also by the always felt presence of the grace of God. Please pray for us in the days ahead.

Lastly, we want to thank each of you for the encouraging messages that you post. We do read each of them, often re-reading them in low times, so please know how much they mean to us. CarePages does not have a way to "reply" to messages so even though you have not heard back from us, know how much we appreciate the notes. (You can send a message marked "private" and send your email if you would like us to have an email address for you.) Also, several people have asked if they can share this site with friends and family or post a link on Facebook/Twitter. Yes, Steve and I surely welcome others

who will pray for us or for sharing this site with others who are also struggling that we may find encouragement together.

Thanks for checking in on us! With hope and love,

Lee and Steve

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Messages

Cherie Leyva

November 7, 2010, 5:32 AM

Lee and Steve, Our prayers are with you everyday. Thank you for the update. Just know we are here for you if there is anything you need. Cherie and Joe Leyva

Cindy Hambly

November 7, 2010, 5:49 AM

Lee and Steve, I believe miracles happen everyday. You are both in my prayers everynight. Cindy

carol sparks

November 7, 2010, 11:54 AM

Continuing to pray with hope in my heart for you in your journey with these health issues. May our Lord Jesus fill you with His joy and peace as you trust in Him. Love, Carol Sparks

Angie Fersner

November 7, 2010, 12:40 PM

Lee, I am in BSF with your sweet mother, Martha. I will certainly keep you and Steve in my prayers. My husband was diagnosed with stage IV colon cancer in Feb of this year so I truly understand where you guys are right now. I pray you stay strong in your faith and rest in the arms of our Lord and Saviour during this typhoon that has hit your life. Angie Fersner

Rae Jean Bettmeng

November 7, 2010, 1:24 PM

My dear sweet Lee & Steve.... If you only knew how often my heart is drawn to both of you.... I continue to pray for both of you and love you so dearly. I thank you for being such a faithful witness of God's Mercy and Grace. I know you must be very "tired".... I long to "hear" your voice Lee... and would really like to just say "I Love You" and let you know what a precious place you and Steve hold in our hearts. If you are up for a phone call... please let me know and I would love to talk to you. I

certainly understand if you just don't have it in you to receive phone calls... Know that I praying for you and love you both so much! Give each other a tender hug and kiss from me! In Him, Rae Jean

Link Hudson

November 7, 2010, 5:47 PM

One day we will all know why you have been through all that you have. I can pay lip service to trusting in God and leaning on Him from moment to moment, but you live it every day. I have so desired to have your testimony end with a "happy little ending." I just have never heard of

anything like what you and Steve have been through except maybe Job. To read the words that you "always feel the presence of the grace of God" is very moving to me. The level of trust you place in our Savior is so inspiring that there are no way for me to describe it. I am so very thankful that with thousands of miles separating us, God bridges the distance with his faithfulness. Please know that I will be interceding for you both. In His Love, Link

Pamela Keith

November 7, 2010, 7:23 PM

Lee and Steve, I am so amazed to listen to your journey. God knows you have super hero characteristics. You constantly face one thing after another with grace and faith. I have no doubt that you will continue to do that, no matter what the "verdict" will be. My best to you, Pam

Beth Dunlap

November 7, 2010, 7:48 PM

I know that it is true for me and probably others that the words Link shared is how I feel while reading through your story and your faith through it all! My God continue to provide strength and peace while you are resting in Him. Beth

Janice Kidd

November 7, 2010, 7:56 PM

Lee and Steve, I, too, am in BSF with Martha and have been praying for you since I met her 6-7 years ago. You are examples of people experiencing the peace that "passes understanding" and I pray that His grace and love will sustain you during this season and waiting and more tests. with His love, Janice Kidd

Todd Derrick

November 7, 2010, 8:40 PM

Lee and Steve, you are both in our prayers, if we can do anything please don't hesitate to call. Love Todd and Angie

Lisa Taylor Brown

November 8, 2010, 1:51 AM

Hey chickie....I just read your blog. I'm sorry to hear that you are having yet more difficult times in life. I think of you so very often. I wish that were lived closer to each other. I miss you. I won't use this time to update you on me....we can do that another time. I will let you know that Jeff and I are divorced....since June. All is okay.. I'll continue praying for you and Steve and sending hugs and love your way. My email and cell are listed below. I have a facebook account too if you want to communicate that way. Love you guys! Lisa Brown

sam spires

November 8, 2010, 2:50 AM

Steve and Lee, I had no idea until recently that all of this was going on. I just wanted to say myself and my family will be praying for both of you and wishing you a complete recovery. You both have been so good to me through the early days at the fire dept and through Emt school. I could never thank both of you enough.

Kathy Hodge

November 8, 2010, 4:29 AM

Continued prayers and blessings. I will send you my email, I know you have many friends and relatives to reply to so I am not really expecting a personal reply, I would just like y'all to have it. If you ever are in the Portland area for anything, we would love to have you as our guests, for

the night for dinner or whatever. You and Steve are two of my favorite people and I wish we would have gotten to know each other better. I wish you all the blessings God has to give on this journey to better health. Love, Kathy

Michelle Grande

November 8, 2010, 2:21 PM

We are continuing to pray for you both! I asked God to provide strength and courage for the long journey ahead. May His blessings fall on you and provide you peace and mercy. We love you both!

Bill Kelly

November 8, 2010, 3:53 PM

Lee and Steve, You are ever lifted up by a crowd of saints and placed before the heart of our loving Father. There is quite a beaten path to his door on your behalf! We love you both. Jane

Emily Vahey

November 8, 2010, 5:11 PM

We love you and are continuing to pray!

Gary Pearson

November 8, 2010, 5:24 PM

Lee & Steve, Thank you for providing the updates. I truly feel it was the love and prayers from our friends and family that got Pam through her life threatening event. Pam & I are praying for your speedy recovery. Gary

Dan Faust

November 8, 2010, 5:52 PM

Steve and Lee, here is an encouraging quote from my devotional that I was about to post on my Caringbridge site: "The capacity for knowing God enlarges as we are brought by Him into circumstances which oblige us to exercise faith; so, when difficulties beset our path let us thank God that He is taking trouble with us, and lean hard upon Him." This is clearly what you have been doing-just keep it up! It brings

great glory to Him!!

Judi Johnson

November 8, 2010, 6:49 PM

Lee & Steve, Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers as you continue this uncertain journey. I pray God's peace and strength will continue to hold you during the next weeks of waiting. Your positive attitude is certainly a testimony to God and His awesomeness. Prayerfully, Judi Johnson

Alissa McPherson

November 8, 2010, 10:32 PM

Lee and Steve, Still praying and loving you from far away! I believe in miracles! Just look all around you! Love, Alissa

Abigail Echols

November 8, 2010, 11:16 PM

That's not really what I wanted to hear. And while I am sitting here, I am trying to think of something funny to say, but that's not really working out too well either. We love you and are praying for you both. May the Lord show Himself strong on your behalf through all of this! Let me know if

you guys are around Seattle anytime!

Tammy Ballard

November 9, 2010, 1:26 AM

You do not know me. I came across your carepage when my neice, Tiffany Dawn Rose, set up her care page in July 2007. I pray that God continues to strengthen you and fill each of you overflowing with the Holy Spirit! May the healing touch of Jesus cleanse your whole body and renew you! In Christ, Tammy Ballard

Sandi Henry

November 9, 2010, 4:21 AM

Dear Lee and Steve, I am so sad that your test results weren't good. We will just keep praying that you don't have lymphoma. God knows our heart's desire, and I don't think He minds us asking. I'll have to admit that I sometimes question why God is allowing you to suffer so much. In my stronger moments I know that His ways are higher than my ways, and He loves you more than anyone. You are always in His care. Your faith continues to inspire and strengthen me. I pray that you will continue to feel God's peace and comfort every moment of every day. Our hearts hurt with you, but we never lose hope. We love you, Bill and Sandi

Priscilla Jenkins

November 9, 2010, 2:46 PM

Lee and Steve~~Julie Greene told me how to get in touch with you. It was so strange that I had been thinking of you and wondering for years and then she had the answers. Our God truly is great and uses each of us in a very special way. That being said, it is breaking my heart

to find you on Carepages and to read of all that has happened since we lost touch. And, I am sitting here thinking "boy, Lee's journey really puts it all in perspective...perhaps I shouldn't spend so much time grumbling that my twins didn't

sleep through the night." I would love to hear from you, but if I don't please know that I will be thinking and praying for you. XO Priscilla

Crystal V

November 10, 2010, 8:04 PM

Lee & Steve, Thinking of you and praying for you today. Crystal Van Tine

Amy Garland

November 12, 2010, 8:59 PM

Sweet Lee and Steve- I love and miss you both so. Over the years God continues to put you both on my heart often even though we are far apart. I often hear or see something that brings me sweet memories of some time with you all. When that happens I stop and thank God for you both and all that

you mean to me. (I'm confident that I (and Matthew) are not the same people we would have been if God had not put both of you in our lives!) Please know of my love and prayers for you from back here in Tennessee. I've done a really stinky job of sending you a message in words, but hope that you feel my prayers. I much prefer talking face to face and don't do all the technology stuff so much. I wish I

could be with you face to face and wrap a hug around you ... But, I

do want you to know of my love and prayers and I'll try to do better about sending it words! We serve a mighty God--in the business in miracles every day. I've seen many and know you have as well. As I've been praying for you in your journey Lamentations 3:22-24 keeps coming to mind--"Through the LORD's mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness." "The LORD is my portion," says my soul, "Therefore I hope in Him!" Lamentations 3: 22-24 Much, much love and a big hug- Amy Garland

carver lovely

November 15, 2010, 1:23 PM

Prayers are with You Carver

sue ensign

November 17, 2010, 12:29 AM

Lee, you are a treasure to me. Your witness for the love you have for Jesus is an incredible gift for all who know you. We are blessed. To pray for you is a privilege. Thanks for sharing, Susan<><

Mary Gregory

November 17, 2010, 10:18 PM

Lee and Steve, I'm sad with you. I know the power of Jesus words and expect great things with Him in charge. I can do anything you may need...clean house, grocery shopping, laundry, run errands. Let me know if you need anything. Lots and lots of love and prayers. Mary Gregory Tim & Cindy McNeill November 20, 2010, 1:57 AM Hi Lee... I received your email. I haven't received notice of your updates lately though. I will ask for prayers for you... facebook is an awesome way to get the word out. Continue to fight this... you are an inspiration! Prayers. Blessings...Cindy

Karen Evans

December 3, 2010, 10:22 PM

I came across your message on Bree Cafey's CarePage, so I have added you to the list...my prayer list, that is. The more miracles, the better, I always say. I hope for the best for you. Sincerely, Karen Evans Tampa, Florida