Meet the newest PICC chick!!

Praising God that the placing of the PICC went great yesterday. It's been a journey to get to this point as you have read. One of the most difficult parts of any illness is learning to work through the unknowns and grapple with all the things that are out of your control.

When speaking with Lynde, there are days I can tell she's feeling strong even though the pain is persistent and her body continues to battle. Yesterday morning was one of those mornings.   We prayed together before her surgery and she was hopeful of the potential healing that this treatment could bring. Her confidence is in God and she was comforted by the guidance and wisdom He gave the doctors and nurses who would surround her.
 What a blessing it was to hear that all went well and that there were many moments filled with laughter as she and Brad waited. What a fantastic team they are together. :).

There is a reality to dealing with an illness, especially one as all consuming as Lyme. There are times when you are comforted and feel the strength of God and the people who surround you. What a blessing. Reality is, this journey is hard. This life is hard. It doesn't always make sense. There are days filled with questions and doubts. There are moments you wish it could just be simple.

Last night the reality of the PICC line sunk in- those questions, fears and worry settled in. There is a lot to adjust to, understand, wonder about.  What is amazing is the real way that Lynde has faced this journey. I believe that we are shaped by our ability to face God no matter our situation - fears, doubts, praise, joy- everything!!  God wants all of it. He knows you have doubts, fears, joys, excitement, he wants to hear it all directly from you. I'm thankful that Brad and Lynde were able to be real last night regardless of their situation. Praise God that he wants it all and praise Him that His mercies are new every morning.

This morning Lynde learned how coordinated she is with her left hand. :). Blessings continue as a dear friend who is a nurse is caring for her now in addition to the visits from the home care nurse. How great it is to be surrounded by people willing to be "Jesus' with skin on."

Joy and Trust

Joy overwhelmed those of us who know and love Lynde and Brad when we heard that her immune system had gained enough strength to continue on to the next phase of treatment and healing. This was fantastic welcomed news! While there is much joy, the next phase also requires much trust (well, every moment of this journey does) that God has provided the Dr's, the medical technology, and medicine to kill this disease and heal and strengthen her body.

We have full faith that this is the proper next step and are so grateful that God has and continues to provide in ways that assure Lynde and Brad that they are not alone. Tomorrow (Wednesday, February 22), Lynde, with her faithful supportive husband Brad, will enter the hospital in Franklin, TN to undergo the procedure to install her PICC line (http://picclinenursing.com/picc_why.html) so that she will be able to undergo continued treatment through IV antibiotics.

They will administer a test dose of the antibiotic and monitor her to ensure she does not react poorly to the medication. After she is cleared and the Drs agree that all is working properly Lynde and Brad will return home and a home health service will monitor and care for her.

Please keep praying that her body would remain strong. Please pray for clear signs that the medication is working properly, and that she is able to detect progress, no matter how small or large. Pray that even in the dark moments and moments of doubt that Lynde and Brad are comforted with Gods peace and presence. I will be updating again tomorrow after the PICC line is placed and how we can all continue to pray and support Lynde and Brad.

As Lynde mentioned in her last post, friendships have been a huge blessing and a gift of grace amongst all of this. Tomorrow evening as Lynde begins this next phase, old friends in Michigan are gathering for a benefit dinner to share in their support--- what a blessing. If you are in the Rochester/ Troy/ Lake Orion consider going to enjoy some great food as a way of celebrating and supporting the gift that Lynde and Brad are to each of us.

We stand amazed by Gods abundant blessings, patience, and grace when life presents us with situations that don't make sense. In the midst of this darkness God IS SHINING and we are soaking up the Son!! Thank you all for your continued prayers.

Friends are Friends forever

Lynde's Benefit Dinner
Wednesday, February 22 @ Pine Trace Golf Club
5:30pm to 8:00pm 

Click below for details:
http://www.scribd.com/doc/82298872/Lynde-Fundraiser

WBC - Moving forward with IV therapy

WAHOOOO!!!  White Blood Cells up to 3.3! THANK YOU JESUS...to God be all the glory!! He works miracles! 

(Insert a rollover on the couch...to simulate a cartwheel). 

YAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!! 

Thank you for praying...it worked!!! Yehaaaaaw!!

"Ticked" off....... but 100% faith

It is interesting how your perspective shifts when you are ill. Lynde has been shaped in ways she never expected through all of this. There is something to be said for the grief that accompanies being diagnosed with something you knew so little about just days before a diagnosis. Amidst that grief Lynde has been forced to find a stronger faith in a God that directs her path. As anyone who is grieving would do- Lynde asks lots of questions, and doesn't always get the answers she expects or likes- but has learned that even in the midst of darkness God has a GRAND plan.

Through this illness God has provided blessings amidst the questions. On most days the answer to the questions is "trust"- but watching Lynde's faith grow is inspiring! I can't say that this part of faith or this part of life makes sense- but one thing I do know is that amidst this storm Gods light is shinning both on and through Lynde and Brad.

The Internet can be a blessing when it comes to finding others who suffer, but also those who have stories of strength and healing amidst the hurdles. What a blessing it has been for Lynde to be able to connect with others who struggle (with Lyme or other things)and be inspired and encouraged by new friends along the way. Of course, if you know Lynde, you know that she is inspiring others with her faith and her story as well.

Another exciting part (this might not have been the way she describes it) is the new foods that she has been exposed to and grown to love. Among them are: sweet potato chips, way better chips, quinoa (like rice but much healthier), tofu, gluten free tortilla wraps, almond pancakes, sunflower butter, carob chips. It's a whole new world of food and Brad and Lynde are learning to navigate with a little more confidence and knowledge.

This week begins the next chapter of treatment. Tomorrow she will find out her white blood count from her lab work done Friday. We are praying they are adequate levels for her to proceed with getting a PICC line placed Wednesday and starting infusions of IV antibiotics. It is imperative that the WBC be at an adequate level in order for her to proceed with treatment.

We appreciate your prayers through this week. These past few days have been very difficult for Lynde. Her symptoms quit bothersome- today her symptoms restrict excessive activity- the idea of healing relief in the coming week is long awaited.

Throughout this illness Brad has been an incredible support and strength for Lynde! Without him by her side to assist her with life tasks, it would be very difficult for her to have come this far.  Thanks Brad- we all appreciate you and your dedicate love and care for Lynde.  You are a good man, fulfilling your vows- for better, for worse.

Stay tuned to the blog for updates in the coming days. Thank you all for your continued support and love!

Walking for Wellness & Music that inspire HOPE

Lyme disease is certainly not something you expect to get, and in many ways has been and continues to be a trying season in Brad and Lynde's life.  As you can see from the last blog post - Lynde and Brad are extremely grateful for all of the support and prayers and the ways people have rallied around them.

Yesterday marked a full week of Lynde being off antibiotics in an effort to give her system a break and increase her white blood cell count.  The first few days were discouraging, however being able to talk through the progress she's made helped her to regain perspective.  Lynde has had a good last few days and plans are almost complete for the next phase of having the PICC line placed in her arm and beginning IV antibiotics.  Continued prayers for the coming weeks are greatly appreciated and we will keep you updated here on the blog. :)

The healing process of Lyme may be a long one-- we don't know fully the journey ahead, however right now Lynde and Brad are trying to focus on the little goals along the way-- and trusting God both in the everyday moments and His long term plan.  Their faith has been incredible.  Now, I will say that sometimes as Christians we think "incredible faith" means trusting without fear, doubt, or questioning.  God invites us to live in all of that. God knows those feelings, those questions and those concerns whether you voice them or not.  Lynde and Brad have been "real" about these feelings and as a result it has been amazing to watch God reveal himself in new ways.

Lynde, while battling pain and confusion, is open to be reminded of and seeking the GRACE and COMFORT of GOD.  One of the things she is doing is "Walking for Wellness".  You can check out the tab at the top of the blog to see her progress.  Please -- leave a comment and join in.  Tell her how you are doing.  Lynde received a little gadget in the mail called "Striiv" it's a pedometer plus!  :)  It gives her trophies for new milestones and tells her how far she's gone and what progress she has made.  While that is the fun side, Lynde loves the fact that she can make a difference in the lives of others while walking.  With the steps Lynde takes she is not only helping her own health, but she's helping others.  The Striiv has a feature called "walkathon", for steps she accumulates she can help give polio vaccines for needy children, save the rainforest or help provide clean water.  WHAT A BLESSING she is BEING A BLESSING!! Her and Brad love being able to enjoy time together walking in the evening if she has enough energy. 

In addition to the walking Lynde and Brad have found great comfort in music.  A song that Lynde really enjoyed and in many ways speaks so true to Lynde's faith through all of this. "No Matter What" by Kerrie Roberts is like a fresh reminder to all of us to pause and thank the Creator even when we don't feel like life makes sense.  To know what Lynde is going through and in the midst of that know that when she and Brad sing these lyrics with Faith, Praise and Hope, is amazing and inspiring!

Please take a few minutes to watch the video and read the lyrics.  They simply start off: 
I’m running back to Your promises one more time,  Lord that’s all I can hold on to.
I gotta say this has taken me by surprise, but nothing surprises You.
Before a heartache can ever touch my life, It has to go through Your hands
And even though I keep asking why, I keep asking why
No matter what, I’m gonna love You!
No matter what I’m gonna need You!
I know that You can find a way to keep me from the pain
But if not, if not, I’ll trust You no matter what, no matter what
  

Thank you friends for continuing to read about Lynde's journey and asking for ways you can pray and help.  What a blessing each of you are!

Give Thanks

Dear Family and Friends,

THANK YOU - THANK YOU for your prayers, your cards, your kind words of hope and encouragement and your generous giving.  All of this is contributing to Lynde’s healing; you are contributing to her wellness.  Thank you and we thank God for you.  We are humbled by your caring hearts.

This has been a journey for us, a path we never imagined having to take.  It has been a long, confusing and more often than not, very overwhelming journey.   With that said, your prayers and support make the days more manageable and allow us to focus on regaining Lynde’s health.  Despite the difficulties and struggles, this journey is proof that God can turn our greatest trials into the biggest blessings.  The will of God will never take you where the grace of God will not protect you.

We are so appreciative of your desire to walk with us through this season in our life.  We are grateful and humbled by those that have rallied around us and providing us with ongoing support; even people that we don’t even know.  We have assistance with grocery shopping, walking Beau, preparing of meals, cleaning the house.  What a blessing it has been and continues to be to see God working through people.  The assistance, encouragement, and support are the answer to prayers – no matter if you are praying or helping us daily - all of you are a blessing to us in your own way.  

Lynde looks forward to getting the mail, and on most days it provides a great deal of encouragement when she has the strength to get outside and walk.  Some days that has been easier than others, but it ALWAYS gives her a sense of hope when she opens cards and is reminded that we are surrounded by many who are believing with us who love, care and support us. There are many times she cries tears of joy and thankfulness as she walks back from the mailbox.  Those usually are the days that are particularly difficult; she gathers up every ounce of energy and forces her body to move, walking to the mailbox.  She opens up a card and reads that someone believes in her, at that very moment when she is not so sure.

This past Monday (Feb 6) we visited the Dr. in Missouri.  While there have been some setbacks over the past few months, the Dr. is very optimistic that Lynde is going to recover well! PRAISE GOD!  What that long term plan looks like—we don’t know just yet. 

What we do know is the foreseeable future, and in that we are clinging to the confidence and hope of others who have had success with the same treatment.  For the next few weeks Lynde will be off all her antibiotics in order to give her immune system a rest and boost her White Blood Count.   An increase in white blood cells is important in order for her to continue to fight and take the next step in treatment.  The Dr. would like to see her WBC at a minimum of 3.5 at the end of two weeks beginning Feb 7^th.  When her WBC reaches 3.5 he will feel more comfortable proceeding with a PICC line (inserted in her arm), and will begin IV antibiotic treatments. 

This requires a lot of coordination and support.  We will have home care nurses visiting weekly to assist in changing of the dressings, assist with some of the treatment and to take weekly blood draws.  Blood draws are necessary to be sure WBC doesn’t drop too low and that Lynde’s liver enzymes don’t go too high.  Lynde will be infusing the antibiotics on her own.  We are especially thankful to be blessed with a friend who is a retired nurse who will help us with any questions we have pertaining to the infusion.  This provides us a great deal of comfort as we venture into unknown medical territories.

There is no “one treatment” for Lyme - each body responds differently and treatments are not as cut and dry as we would sometimes like them to be.  We continue to pray and trust in GOD that HE is BIG and we are seeking HIS wisdom and plan!

Here are some things that you can pray and do for us: 

• Pray specifically in the coming days that Lynde’s body gets stronger and for God to continue to encourage, comfort and guide us on this journey.            

• Pray that the Dr’s. are guided with wisdom as to the course of treatment that will allow Lynde to heal and remain as strong as possible in the process. 

• Pray for continual strength and energy for Brad to care for and support Lynde. 

• Pray for Lynde’s spiritual, physical and mental strength.

• Pray for Lynde’s bodily systems to return to complete homeostasis and that her immune system gains strength to battle the infection on its own.

• Pray that as the IV treatments begin we will receive clear signs that the proper medication is being used in the proper doses. 

• Pray for the insurance company (BCBS) to authorize and approve coverage of the first month of IV and any future months that IV treatment is necessary.

• Continue to grow in your personal relationship with God.

• Continue to believe with us.

We believe there is great power in all of your prayers.  In spite of the confusing journey though this disease, we BELIEVE that God is BIG and will be used and honored through this.  Some days it isn’t quite as clear what that looks like, but we are trusting in HIM.  We remind ourselves to: Not be afraid, Just Believe!  We are regularly able to see glimpses of God even on the darkest of days—we believe that’s a result of the faith and prayers of those around us.  Please continue to pray for strength, wisdom, patience, understanding and trust.  We know that GOD’S GOT THIS!

Thank you for your prayers, thank you for your grace and thank you for your patience.  Thank you for listening.  Thank you for crying with us.  Thank you for being a broken record with words of encouragement during our dark days.  Thank you for being willing to be confused with us.  Thank you for being concerned with us and for us.  Thank you for believing with us.  Thank you for allowing us to piggy-back on your Hope.  Thank you for propping us up on our leaning side.  Thank you for serving us.  Thank you for allowing God to use you to be a blessing to us.

If you want to follow along and find out ways you can pray and how God is blessing and encouraging us along our journey—please check out our blog at www.lyndesteensen.blogspot.com.  We check this often and seek encouragement from the words and support that are left there.

“Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long” Psalm 25:5

God’s Got This,
Brad and Lynde

To Be Featured During the Super Bowl!

The International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society is running a powerful public service campaign to create greater awareness of the misdiagnosis of Lyme disease on a JumboTron outside the XLVI Super Bowl at Lucas Oil Stadium. 

Lyme is estimated to be growing faster than AIDS and has become a global health problem. This thirty second pro bono spot will draw more attention to the need for better diagnosis.

"Lyme disease is a silent epidemic in America. We want to alert and educate consumers about this disease, which is often misdiagnosed. Left untreated, it will become chronic and debilitating," said Leo J. Shea, III, PhD, President of the non-profit International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society (ILADS).


Go to this web site to view the spot. 

http://www.ilads.org/media/ilads_jumbotron.php?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Superbowl+Jumbotron&utm_content=Superbowl+Jumbotron+CID_8acd13a7170a10f13028957718cf1cc1&utm_source=Ilads+user+email+marketing+campaign

Lynde Gone Wild!!

She doesn't remember much about this day except she smiled anyway.  This was a rough week and the body pillow truly helped soothe her discomfort.  She gets pretty good at pushing through the crud.

What's Next?

Proverbs 3: 5&6  Trust in the Lord with all your might, lean not unto your own understanding, acknowledge Him in all your ways, and He will make your path straight.

For three days now, Lynde has been on the upside.  Never does her body feel normal, but there are good days and bad days.  Saturday was an extremely rough day where we prayed, we cried, and we watched her body govern her moments.  Sunday, she chose to be antibiotic free, and then Monday she began a new prescription.  

Lynde tells us that when beginning a new script, those are her best days until the antibiotic begins to kill off the bacteria which causes her to Herx. (best days still mean head pain, facial numbness, sensitivity to sound, ears ringing, shaking and jittery, feet sore, hand/fingertips vibrate - she looks normal on the outside, but hides the inner discomfort well on these days)  The goal of the antibiotics are to kill off the bacteria without severely Herxing, which is the body’s response to toxin overload.  Refer to this website in order to understand more:  http://www.truthaboutlymedisease.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=35   

As this blog is being read by numerous people, questions have been sent to Lynde regarding Lyme disease.  In fact, Lynde is more than willing to answer any questions, so please feel free to ask anything in the comment space as she checks the blog daily.  The term Lyme disease is publicized, but understanding it is another thing.  Some people get bit, see the tick, and feel ill, so they go immediately to the doctor, take an antibiotic and the Lyme disease disappears.   Other systems such as Lynde’s; however,  are more susceptible to the bacteria, and if given a lot of time without diagnosis, they have a long journey ahead, and for many it's a lifetime.  

What’s next for Lynde?  Feb. 2nd she will be visiting a doctor in Nashville to set a date to get a Picc line.  This will be a major dose of antibiotics that will be injected interveniously 3 times a day for four weeks.  Please continue to keep her in prayer - this will be very hard on her body and it’s meant to give the bacteria a major “kick” to rid her of Lyme.  In addition, she will visit with her LLMD (Lyme Literate Doctor) in Missouri on Feb. 6th to review her progress to date.  Thank God for doctors. Thank God for God!

Do I Need My Hat?

Beau's at the door waiting for his walker!   Is it cold outside?   And...do you have the poop bags?

His Amazing Grace!

Phillippians 2:4  Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

People in small towns pride themselves on knowing one another personally and quickly jumping into help.  In a big area like Memphis though, it seems like it would be easy to fall in between the cracks.  With an illness like Lyme disease, most people don’t realize the devastation that occurs to a person’s body and so when they hear of someone with Lyme disease they initially show sympathy, but may quickly forget about it.  At first, Lynde and Brad felt alone and scared, but as the prayers and petitions were lifted up, miracles began to happen.  First of all, Lynde is able to continue her job by working at home.  Her employer has been incredibly supportive, recognizing that Lynde has good working days when her body allows her to be productive and many other days when her body decides to shut down.  His wife (a nurse) has been an amazing source of strength and knowledge by taking Lynde to doctors appointment and staying by her side when confusion sets in.  Then there’s the Bible study group of people Lynde has never even met who are willing to supply help in any way they can.  A Michigan connection constantly sends words of encouragement and gift packages of inspirational books.  Another new friend (she hasn’t even met yet) is willing to check in on her, keep her company and do anything needed.  Texts and facebook messages continue to come in expressing prayers for her recovery.  A friend from church is willing to assist in cutting veggies every other week for the freezer.  Another new friend will help with the laundry.  A church friend and a couple from work are willing to shop for the specialty groceries.  Answered prayers, answered prayers, answered prayers!  In the beginning, the situation looked so hopeless; now there are still days of desperation, but knowing that people care enough to get involved is a huge source of comfort.  The help, the cards and the emails continue to come, and new revelations from God renew Lynde and Brad.

Soul Food!

Romans 12:1  ....by the mercies of God, present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God which is your spiritual worship. 

Food, food, food!  This is definitely a subject that is an on-going project.  If you haven’t already watched the web page on how Lyme disease attacks your body, do it now,  then you’ll understand why food is so important.  The days of ordering a pizza are over for a long time.  Everything Lynde eats and drinks has to have a medicinal purpose.  One of the things Brad’s mom, Helenann, has done this week is peruse a website called - www.ziplist.com.  If you like (or need) to cook, you’ll love it.  It has every kind of recipe you’d want - the ones Lynde can eat as well as “normal” recipes, and it helps you even make a shopping list at your favorite grocery store.  She’s working on a collection of recipes from this site that are as simple as possible to prepare and extremely healthy in order to fight the Lyme disease.  The trick; however, is everything needs to be chopped, sliced, and put together.  This takes time - no pre-prepped food from the supermarket.  As a result, our goal has been to leave Brad (a great cook, but with a full time job) with some veggies already cut up and stored in the freezer, so when we’re on our way back to Michigan, Brad & Lynde will have a small storehouse for a few recipes.  By the grace of God, it also looks like some of God’s helpers are going to do some cutting and freezing for him once our supply runs out.  Praise God again.  He’s amazing how He works in the hearts of His people.

The basic rule for all her food is:

Protein, Low Carb, Gluten free, Sugar free & Organic

No Nightshade Foods: tomato products, eggplant, bell peppers (red or green), chili pepper, paprika

And, No Deadly Whites: white rice, white flour, white sugar, white potatoes

What basics can she eat?

Organic Vegetables - anything green
Organic Fruits (Fresh/Frozen): Green Apples, Lemon, small amounts of berries

Organic Meats (Chicken/Beef)

Low Mercury Fish - Sockeye Salmon

Nuts (Sunflower, Almonds, Pumpkin Seeds, chestnuts, brazil nuts, coconut) - NO PEANUT or peanut based products

Dairy (Organic Eggs, Goat cheese and other various cheeses, unsweetened milks - rice milk, almond milk, coconut milk) - NO Regular Milk

Organic canned Beans (any kind of beans, but not too much because of starch and candida)

Grains (Quinoa, Lundberg rice cakes, Wild Rice, Black Rice)

Condiments - No=Mayo, Ketchup, Syrup / Yes=Mustard, Garlic, seasonings (No red/bell pepper based seasonings)

As you can see, meals seem limited; however, it takes a lot of research, and researching is just what Helenann and Lynde (on good days) are doing.   This eating style will need to last for years.  Lyme disease is not a disease that is quickly over, the bacteria (cooties as Lynde refers to them) hang on and multiply when the “wrong” foods feed them. 

Meanwhile, the cost of organic foods are a high expense (compare the prices at Krogers).  The pantry at Brad and Lynde’s has been revamped.  The ketchup and sodas have been thrown out.  No more green bean casserole unless it is modified to be gluten free!!

Pills Pills and More Pills

60 pills per day.... oh my!

Laughter - the Best Medicine

Luke 1:46 & 47   My soul doth magnify the Lord and my Spirit rejoices in God my Savior.

In the midst of adversity, we are still finding things to chuckle about.  First of all, the phone texts, emails, cards, and news of answered prayer brings infectious joy (which is often accompanied by a few grateful tears and major smiles).  And, naturally, a little fun has it’s place even in the trials.  One of those joys is a brown plush dog named Reggie.  He’s a bit mechanical with a deep love for Lynde.  He says things like.... “Are you from Tennessee? - cause you’re the only 10 I see!”  (He has 9 additional complimentary messages for her too.  Honestly, he’s a bit flirtatious!)  Then there’s the colored fish bowls that make pill-popping a little easier, and the hand made green & white knitted hat Lynde’s aunt sent to cheer her up.  To top it off, she also snuggles up to a zebra body pillow intended to make sleeping a bit easier.  (Lynde’s bones need to wrap around something rather than knocking at each other!  She’s lost a lot of weight!)  On good moments, it’s easy to find joy when you’re looking for it, and God sends joyous little tickles to Brad & Lynde in what could be a depressive existence.  It’s a battle to stay content in all circumstances, but both Lynde and Brad are staying connected through devotions and God’s word, and as a result work to see the bigger picture rather than the immediate struggle.   God is good, and He enjoys the laughter.