Prayers of Thanksgiving

NOT URGENT! Just a CarePage glitch!

"Be joyful always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

"I thank my God every time I remember you." Phillipians 1:3

These verses have been on my heart as of late and I wanted to share. So many of you have encouraged me with words, prayers, cards, emails - I have been overwhelmed and I continually thank God for each of you.

I had my cardiology appointment at UW on Friday and we were blessed with an outstanding team of doctors who spent almost 3 hours with us in trying to determine the best course of treatment for me at this time. They had the basic results of my long afternoon of Autonomic Testing that I had completed some weeks earlier. The long and short of it; I failed those tests meaning I do have severe autonomic dysfunction. In layman terms, my blood pressure, heart (pulse), and vascular structure are not functioning properly. What is unclear is if that is because of brainstem compression again or a function of a different problem. After much debate, it was decided that a pacemaker was not optimal at this point because it would have no effect on my dangerously low blood pressure. It would correct my pulse that it hanging out in the low 30s to 40s but it is the blood pressure that is most likely causing my severe fatigue and frequent episodes of fainting. I am going to be adding three blood pressure medications over the next several weeks and then we will return to UW Cardiology in March to evaluate the effects and reconsider the pacemaker at that time. Again, we have been so pleased with our care at UW and feel completely confident in their care plan.

Many of you have been praying for me to get restful sleep at night as this has been a monumental hurdle in my well being. I am pleased to report that for over the last week I have been sleeping 8-14 hours a night!! I was very confused at first when I awoke and saw the time. I assumed the power had been out and the clocks were wrong BUT then I realized it was light outside and Steve was also missing!! (long gone to the gym and then to work) WOW! Is that why the rest of you feel so great because you sleep at night??? It has been wonderful! Please continue to pray for this restful sleep because I can tell that it is allowing much needed healing in my body and my mind! I have felt well enough to go to the gym and walk on the treadmill. Yesterday I got lost in a TV show and wound up walking 6 miles before I realized it!! It felt great!

Continue to pray for the muscle biopsy that is somewhere out there in America at different labs being tested. We pray this will give us some much needed answers.

Continue to pray for my chronic headaches. We are trying some new meds with some relief but still a long way to go. The sleep has seemed to help more than anything SO keep praying.

Well, enough of my rambling; I am just feeling overjoyed with thanksgiving for each of you and how you care for Steve and me. We love each of you very much. Thank you so much for checking in on us!!

May God bless you richly this Thanksgiving and may your time with family and friends make sweet memories. Cherish every moment!

I feel like I have asked so much of you already but I would like to ask you to pray for two dear friends who are battling for their lives at this time: Charlotte and Janice. Thank you.

Much love, Lee

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Messages

Sandi Henry

November 25, 2009, 11:52 PM

Praise God for the good news. Hope you two have a happy Thanksgiving!

Mark Brooks

November 26, 2009, 12:01 AM

Lee and Steve, I am so glad to be able to read such a positive update and see that you are finally able to get much needed rest. I will continue to pray for the other tests and medications, and if there is anything else I can do from this end please let me know. I love you both very much and look forward to hopefully getting to see you both again sooner than later. I hope you have a great Thanksgiving! Love always, Mark

Don Disney

November 26, 2009, 12:02 AM

Much love to you as well. Happy Thanksgiving!

carol sparks

November 26, 2009, 12:47 AM

You remain in my prayers. Carol Sparks

Tamara Longworth

November 26, 2009, 1:01 AM

Praising God for the blessings you have received...May you have a very happy and blessed Thanksgiving! We will continue to pray for you. Much love, Tamara, Bill and the kids

Betsy Ramsey

November 26, 2009, 1:10 AM

Wishing you and yours a most blessed Thanksgiving season. The Lord is truly worthy to be praised!!!

Teresa Smith

November 26, 2009, 2:07 AM

Dear Lee: So glad that you are getting some much needed sleep! It sounds like you had a really good visit with the cardiology team and that

they are concerned and interested in trying to help you. We will

continue to pray for answers from the muscle tests and improvement in your health. Sure wish you and Steve were here with us for Thanksgiving. We love you both very much! Teresa & Earl

Bruce Ensign

November 26, 2009, 4:35 PM

Thank you for the update. I am so glad you are able to sleep. Great to hear you could exercise as well. May God continue to give you these simple joys and blessings. It is wonderful to see you meditating on the Word and sharing how God is using them in your life as you face adversity.

Link Hudson

November 27, 2009, 5:36 PM

Happy Thanksgiving Lee and Steve! I am so thankful for your journey - for a God that has spoken to me so many times through your testimony! I am grateful that God has given you rest and favor among your doctors at Univ. of Washington. I pray for you both and feel blessed to call you friends and my brother and sister in Christ!

Bill Kelly

November 28, 2009, 4:32 PM

Great News Lee! It is comforting to know that you are getting much needed rest. Blessings to you and Steve as we enter into the Season of Christmas! Love, Bill & Jane

Susan Jenkinson

December 3, 2009, 5:20 PM

What a difference a month can make when God's people pray. My prayers continue to be with you and your healing. I love you guys.