Continuing Health Issues

We are back to our "Life line!"

You may recall that last October before Tim got MRSA he ruptured a disk in his neck moving furniture. He saw a neurosurgeon earlier this summer and it was decided to hold off on any treatment at that point as it was not causing him too much trouble. In Montana after a long evening of fly fishing the pain in his neck became SEVERE with pain in his shoulder and down his arm. He also had increased weakness and decreased dexterity in his hand. He saw the neurosurgeon today hoping to schedule surgery to repair the C5-6 disk rupture. However, the surgeon felt that it is not so clear cut. He said that there is new muscle degeneration in his hand and that some of the symptoms in his arm are not consistent with simply a C5-6 issue. He scheduled an MRI of Tim’s neck and shoulder and an EMG with the neurologist. The possibilities he is checking for are a problem with his C-8 disk which would account for the weakness in his hand, a brachial-plexus mass, or a change in the C5-6, or diabetic neuropathy. Please pray that the tests can be scheduled quickly (preferably this week as activities and staff at the hospital are decreased next week due to the republican convention). Second, please pray for a clear cut and rapid solution. Third, please pray for pain relief. Vicodan is not doing much and Tim is up after about 2 am no longer able to sleep because of the pain. In addition, but not related, his pulse has also been higher that it should be and at times that it runs high he gets short of breath and fatigued. He was started on a beta blocker medication but probably will be going back to the cardiologist. This is getting discouraging.

We have several household issues going on that feel like spiritual hassle on top of Tim’s health. While we were in Montana Jon and Steven discovered that we had a wet wall, and therefore mold, in our laundry room. They took out the dry wall and insulation and bleached everything, but I am still reacting and am taking steroids again. I had cleared most of my symptoms while we were in Montana. Steven corrected a landscape issue today and we are going to add gutters to avoid future problems. Please pray that my reaction clears up quickly. When we got home from Montana our AC was caputz and we had to replace it last week (that did not help moisture issues). Then last night our main floor drain backed up into the laundry room. Fortunately, Steven was able to creatively clear it with the lawn blower. My car is making a funny noise, too. Please pray that nothing else goes wrong- we are feeling stretched.

Thanks for your faithfulness in praying!

Love, Mary Ann