Unforeseen Challenges and Blessings

The picture above was taken while Lee and her mom enjoyed their final afternoon together before Martha headed back home on Saturday morning. Friday had been a fairly uneventful day marked by continued progress in Lee's healing. Within a few minutes of taking this pic, Lee heard a rush of air and a strange sensation causing her to look down and realize that her new feeding tube had completely dislodged.

Because of how recently it was placed and the risk of complications with the opening in her abdomen, Lee's surgeon insisted that we had to return to the ER. You can likely imagine how well that news was received after having only been home for one week. Faced with no good alternatives Lee reluctantly agreed to head back in to the ER, which has been experiencing extremely high patient volumes and wait times for weeks now. This is where the unforeseen blessings became so clearly visible...

Within 5 minutes of arriving at the ER we were checked in and informed that Lee's surgeon had called ahead to make arrangements. We were taken straight back to a private room while dozens of patients lined the hallways. Then, two extremely kind and compassionate nurses teamed up to get Lee checked in quickly and during the process we realized one was her original nurse that she saw when she first arrived back on May 4th and the second is the wife of one of our firefighters. Lee's surgeon was on call for her practice Friday night and personally tracked her care and provided in-person updates regularly. She called in the interventional radiology (IR) team and the on call physician for that group is also one who is very familiar with Lee's case and a favorite of hers. While the IR team worked to replace the feeding tube, they discovered what they believed to be a small bowel obstruction, which was then confirmed through a CT scan. Had the tube not dislodged, this obstruction could have gone undetected until it caused significant complications likely requiring emergent surgery to correct. While this diagnosis would normally require a readmission to the hospital, Lee's surgeon said she felt confident we could manage the situation at home with some specific guidance on the signs and symptoms to monitor. Within 5 hours of our arrival, Lee had been treated and released so she could spend a few more precious hours with her mom before Martha's departure.

We were so thankful and blessed for the many of examples of God's love and grace throughout this unexpected visit to the hospital. Obviously the diagnosis of a new complication brings its own levels of concern, but Lee continues to persevere thanks to the strength provided in answer to your continuous prayers. We are also so thankful for the blessing of having Lee's mom with us for the past two weeks. She reaffirmed the irreplaceable impact of a mother's love and care!

As we look ahead, we would appreciate your prayers for Lee's follow up appointments with her local physicians this week. We have also been back in contact with her team at the Mayo Clinic in Phoenix and hope to reengage with them to help chart the course for dealing with the complications that are undermining Lee's recovery. We appreciate your love and support more than words can express and will do our best to keep you updated as we get new information.

Steve

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Comments

Judy Wilson:

Miracles do happen. Getting in and out of the ER in 5 hours! And putting the right people in place to provide care. Prayers for a successful week and thank God for talented medical professionals.

sandra henry:

God is good! Thankful that He placed the right people where you needed them and that Lee got to go back home. Praying for you and Lee and for her healing.

Eunice Goodwin:

"Angels watching over me, my Lord..."

Steve Braden:

Both of you are in our prayers daily. We love you guys

Rebecca M Doty:

Praying that Lee will make progress through her challenges and the doctors will find new and successful means to add to her healing

Margaret McPhee:

While this experience shows some serious challenges, it brings with it God's positive hand. Thank you for letting us know the situation. Prayers for you both.

Sandy Temple:

So thankful for God's provision! I continue to pray for you all!

Mark Colavecchio:

Only God!

Tom and Linda Hamilton:

First of all.......LOVE Martha's tshirt! Thank you, Heavenly Father, for taking such good care of Lee......tiny details, huge things, and everything in between. And Steve too. Continuing to pray here......I think of you both often, and am so thankful for God's grace and mercy, and will continue to pray for both of those things. For wisdom, guidance, and healing.

Bruce Ensign:

Continuing to pray for you two. Thank you for sharing what God is doing thru these trials and the blessings you see in them.

Elizabeth Holmes:

continued prayers