Witnessing Daily Miracles

A DIARY OF LEE'S BATTLE WITH EHRICHLIOSIS. TO READ IN ORDER OF ACTUAL HAPPENINGS, YOU WILL NEED TO GO TO THE EARLIEST ARCHIVE, AND START AT THE BEGINNING, AND THE ONSET OF HIS ILLNESS. Your comments are welcomed. Hope this miracle, inspires your life, as it did mine. Lev

Tuesday, August 16, 2005

Never in my life would I have dreamed that somethings as insignificant to me as a tick,would make such a huge impact in my life.When my husband Lee was bitten by a tick that was infected with the Ehrlichia bacteria,it brought him very near to deaths door.This disease literally invades all of your blood cells and can affect every major organ in your body.It affects the brain, sometimes causing seizures, the heart, liver, kidneys, gal bladder, stomach and pancreas.Enzyme levels in the pancreas, liver and kidneys begin to rise. With all of these organs not functioning or functioning properly, the urine nor the blood gets filtered of impurities. Blood platelet levels drop, causing the blood not to clot properly, producing sever bruising, swelling, or hemoraging. Seizures can occur causing brain damage. The heart can be affected, even causing heart attacks. Pheneumonia and other lung infections can set in.THIS DISEASE CAN KILLLee sufferd from all these symptoms,but by the grace of God all is healing well, and although he did have a seizure, there was no brain damage.

I hope that all of you will take the time to familiarize yourself about this disease.Make yourself aware of it's symptoms.And please, when outdoors, take precautions to prevent tick bites.Below you will find only a few links to sites that will give you information and facts about this disease. There were far to many to list them all.If you would like additional information, you can go to your search engine under: Ehrlichliosis.

All this happened July 4, 2003,...and it forever changed our lives. I know, beyond a doubt, that it was the prayers, thoughts, and concerns of so many friends, and family, that brought Lee through this, and well,with me today. Almost daily, while Lee was in the hospital, I sent updates to relatives, and my groups, keeping everyone up to date on what was happening, and reminding everyone to continue praying for Lee's speedy recovery.

In this page of my blog, Witnessing Daily Miracles, you will read the daily postings that I sent. For yourself, you will be able to witness the miracles that occured in Lee's behalf, those 6 weeks through his sickness and recovery. I know that it was nothing short of a miracle, and the hand of God, that pulled him through. I hope that by reading these, your lives will be blessed, as was Lee's, by the great miracles that our God can work.
God works in wonderous ways, and I know that part of His doing, was to put Lee in the very competant hands of so many wonderful doctors. He was so blessed with giving and caring nurses. In his 8 week stay in the hospital, I only encountered one nurse, that gave us problems. She was Lee's nurse once, and then for some reason...never got assigned to him again. That in itself was a blessing...lol But all his Drs. and nurses gave 110% to Lee while he was there. We couldn't have asked for more loving and giving care-givers. We know that God helped guide the hands of these skilled Drs. and nurses, so that Lee got the best of care. There is nothing I can say that describes the gratitude that we have to these people, and the great care that Lee got through the
University of Missouri Health Center.

I have posted these in correspondence to the days that I posted them to friends, family, and my online groups, now, more than two yrs. ago, as we were, day to day, going through this ordeal.
I hope you are touched by reading these, and realize that God can also work miracles in your lives, just as He did for Lee.
God Bless You All
Lev



I spent alot of time in the garden patio, that was located near the hospital entrace. It was full of the beautiful flowers of summer, and I spent many an hour there, praying, and observing the beauty that God had placed around me, amidst such inward turmoil, and heartache that I was feeling regarding Lee's condition. The robins were always present, digging for worms to put into the hungry mouths of their babies, that cherped in the nest that I could see from where I'd sit. The sparrows too were plentiful...always going from place to place, looking for the crumbs that someone may have dropped beneath their table. As I would watch these small birds, I was constatnly reminded of the old gospel song....His Eye is on the sparrow...and I know He watches me. I continually reminded myself, that if God watches and cares for even the sparrow, then there was no doubt that He was watching and caring for Lee. Quite often I would find myself humming the beautiful melody. We are all God's children, and are far more important to Him than the sparrow. So, as you read the words that follow to this song, and listen to it, I pray that it blesses you, and assures you, that God is always watching over us, caring for us, and WILL supply all our needs! He is our Father, and He does care deeply for us, His beloved children.

HIS EYE IS ON THE SPARROW

( Listen to this song)
Why should I feel discouraged, why should the shadows come,
Why should by
heart be lonely, and long for heav'n and home
When Jesus is my portion? My constant friend is He:
His eye is on the sparrow and I know He watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow and I know He watches me.

"Let not your
heart be troubled," His tender words I hear,
And resting on His goodness, I lose my doubt and fears;
Though by the path He leadeth, but one step I may see:
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

Whenever I am tempted, Whenever clouds arise,
When songs give place to sighing, When hope within me dies,
I draw the closer to Him, From care He sets me free;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

I sing because I'm happy, I sing because I'm free,
For His eye is on the sparrow and I know He watches me.

music by: Civilla D. Martin
Words by: Charles H. Gabriel

Friday, August 12, 2005

From: levonne morgan Date: Tue Aug 12, 2003 3:40 pm Subject: HE'S HOME!!! HE'S HOME!!! HE'S HOME!!!/Lee's update
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YIPPPPPPPPPEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!

I've been waiting for this day to get here for 43 days! Praise God it has finally got here. It is so good to have him back
home where he belongs. I want to thank you all again for all your prayers and concern. I won't bother you everyday with updates now, like I have for the past 1 1/2 months, but I will definately bop in from time to time and let you know how his therapy is going. He will be doing it mon-wed-fri., but they haven't really told us for how long. We will find all that out on thurs. when he goes in for his PT. Thank you all again so much.

Lev is HAPPY today...... !!!!!

love to you all,
Lev

Thursday, August 11, 2005

From: levonne morgan Date: Mon Aug 11, 2003 11:11 pm Subject: Tomorrow's lookin' good/Lee's update
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Although we haven't received any "official" word, things still look like they're a go for lee heading
home tomorrow. I CAN'T WAIT!!!! Everything seems to be pointing towards that direction. Out patient therapy has already been set up for thurs. They will be discussing times tomorrow. Drs, nurses, and therapist will meet tomorrow for an "evaluation" of Lee's progress. All his drs., nurses, and therapist are well pleased with his progress, so we have no reason to believe that they're not going to release him. Tomorrow will be a long.... but a GOOD day. I know there were times when it felt like we'd never reach this day.... the day that we finally knew he was okay and could go home. For awhile there it was very very scary and we weren't able to say that. I have no doubt that with time, he will be just as great as he was before this nightmare all started. And for awhile there, when it was so touch and go.... it was definately a nightmare. How I wished that I'd just wake up and none of this was actually happening. I've felt that way 3 other times... I sure don't like the way it feels. But God has seen us faithfully and safely through this ordeal and we will become better because of it. Prayer is such a powerful thing. I can never thank you all again... or enough for all the prayers and concern that were offered up for Lee and I and our family. We would have never made it without them. Putting Lee in Gods hands knowing that he would care for him, and a lot of prayer was all that got me through. This has made me even more determined to never take Lee's love for granted. I came so close to losing it. Many people probably have done what I do, but each night before I'd go to sleep, I'd tell Lee that I loved him. I always told him that if anything happened before we saw each other again, that I love you would be the last words he'd hear me say... or the last thing I said to him. I remember the day I walked out of his room, thoroughly expecting to see him in just a couple of hours. I smiled, waved, said I love you and he replied the same... and I walked out the door. Two hours later I received the phone call telling me of his seizure and respitory failure. I remember thinking... I love you was the last thing I heard him say and that he heard me say. And although I may not always say it in words or show it in deeds... He knows beyond a doubt that this lady is always gonna be with him forever...no way I could live without him!

Thank you God for giving him to me.... again!

Love to you all,
Lev

Will be back tomorrow ......

From: levonne morgan Date: Mon Aug 11, 2003 12:16 am Subject: Wonderful-Crazy-Fabulous/Lee's update
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Well, today was going to be a WONDERFUL day. Lee was to have some PT, and then we were going to see about him coming
home to spend the day again. He had therapy at 9:30 and then not again till 2. We'd have from 10-2, 2:30-9, to be at home. Well, all started great when we found out that he had no therapy till 2 and that it would be fine if he wanted to go home. He basically has an open pass to come and go as he pleases. just so he is back by 9p.m. so the day was going great. We went back to the room and he changed clothes, and we went outside to finish reading some get well cards he had received. As we were headed back out side the nurse stopped us to take his blood pressure. it was fine.... however then things got CRAZY..... his heart rate was 159..... just a "tad" bit high. He was having a pretty sever headache at the time...and had also just gotten himself dressed, which is a little harder for him right now and exerts a little more energy, plus he was excited about getting to go home. We thought nothing of it... plus he has this thing with his heart... what we now find out is called a "flutter". A few mins. later they check it again. It was still high, so the doc. wanted to do a ekg. The ekg showed that it had gone down to 100, but he wanted to compare it to the last ekg that lee had done. He didn't like what he saw, so he consulted another one of lee's drs... Dr. Geisler. They chose to have him transferred to the ER at the hospital where they could run some test, and supposidly get them done faster that we could from Rusk. Well..... one chest xray, and tons of blood work later... plus about 3 1/2 hrs. of sitting in a er exam room.... they discharged him saying that he was ok.... it was just a "heart flutter".... which is exactly what we told them.... although we didn't use that term "flutter"... guess they thought we didn't know what we were talking about... hahaha. So..... about 4, we finally arrived home. But even though the hrs. were less than what we had planned, we still had a FABULOUS evening. We went to IHOP for supper... and OH MY GOODNESS.... the "old" Lee ate again. 2 pieces of sausage, 2 pieces of bacon, 2 eggs, and 2 strawberry pancakes topped with whipped cream and a cherry!!!! He ate it all... plus a lg. glass of tomato juice. This is the way he "use" to eat... that's been over a month ago. This is GREAT. I may have to take him to IHOP every night. His appitite hasn't been the best... so he hasn't had a whole lot of energy or strength. I know this will make all the diff. if he can keep his eating up.

Oh well, I have rambled on and on and on and on... just like the energizer bunny. LOL! I'll let you all go... and hopefully will update you tomorrow and when they might let him come home. TTYL

love ya all,
Lev

THE MIRACLES WE GET WHEN WE HAVE FAITH AND PRAY
WITHOUT CEASING. Thank God again for all he has done for Lee!!!!

Wednesday, August 10, 2005

levonne morgan Date: Fri Aug 8, 2003 10:59 pm Subject: Looks like Tues.....maybe/lee's update
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Well, they told us today that it looks like Lee may be coming
home on Tues. Nothing short of a "walking miracle"!!! We should know something for sure on Mon. He is getting a leave tomorrow... I'm picking him up tomorrow morning and he gets to come home and spend the day here. We'll need to have him back by 9:00 tomorrow night, in time for his night time medications. He is really looking forward to spending a day at home. We might possibly be able to do that on Sunday too, although he does have some therapy, so we'll have to make sure he gets back for that, or leave after it's over. B ut they say he is doing wonderfully... and I agree. Everyday that goes by, he seems more and more like his old self. And it is soooooooo good to see my Baby back!!!

I'll keep you all informed and let you know something.... prob. mon. Hope you all have a great weekend. I KNOW I'M GONNA!!!!!

Love to ya all....
Lev

From: levonne morgan Date: Fri Aug 8, 2003 12:28 am Subject: rehab goin' good/Lee's update
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Lee is doing good. Today he got his first full day of therapy. He is worn out! At least he got a good nights sleep last night... no headaches, no bad dreams. Hopefully we have the medication worked out with the headaches. They are getting a little fewer and not lasting as long. The pain meds. that they gave him seem to be working pretty good, and the one they give him at night, the "nerve blocker/sleeping pill" is really working good. Between that, and the fact that he is exhausted from his therapy today,
leads me to think that he's going to have another good nights sleep. I have warned him that when he gets up tomorrow, he's going to hurt in places he didn't even know he had, after the work out they gave him today. lol. Word has it, that if you complain about being too sore and not wanting to do your therapy, that they work you even harder. So I told him he better get with it tomorrow, or he might be in for it. His memory is getting much better. He isn't having trouble remembering things as he did even two days ago. Out of the clear blue tonight, he said.... "this is thrus. did the trash get put out?",,,,,, I'm going to have to remind him tomorrow, that's a good sign. I'd say that shows he getting more of him memory back everyday. He seems to be keeping better track of the days too. But he is doing great. I know he's gonna be pretty sore for awhile, but I'm sure with the way he is progressing, that he is going to do wonderfully, and be out of there soon.

I'll be back in a couple of days to fill you in on how he's doing. I'm sure it will be more wonderful news. Thanks for your continued prayers.

Love,
lev

Thursday, August 04, 2005

From: levonne morgan Date: Mon Aug 4, 2003 10:56 pm Subject: On the road to recovery/Lee's update
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We got Lee admitted to Rusk Rehabilitational Center today ( http://www2.muhealth.org/~pmr/
). Today was spent getting paperwork together and updating drs. and nurses on his condition, and what all he's been through the past few weeks. He didn't have any therapy today. That will begin tomorrow, and will be from 3-6 hrs. each day. I have no doubts that he will do very well. Each day he gets stronger and a little better, all without the therapy. I'm sure that he will continue to get even better and faster with the additional help.

We would still much appreciate your prayers for his continued improvement. I also want you to pray that God bring peace to his heart, mind and soul. He has been very upset the past three days, thinking about where he's been and actually how close he came to death. I can only imagine how
hard emotionally that is on him. He has also been having trouble sleeping due to nightmares. He dreams that he has been reinfected or that the Ehrlichiosis has somehow come back, or was not completely gone. I do my best to try and reassure him that he's already made it through the toughest part, that everything is going to be alright and that it's all down hill, and smooth sailing from here. But he is so scared and sometimes just burst into tears. I would do anything to take that fear away. I can say all the words there are to say, give all the love and comfort I can, but I know that only God can bring him the peace he needs in his heart, and put his mind at rest, that all IS going to be okay! I told him that God didn't bring him this far, and through this much, to desert him now..... Lee agreed with me. So pray that God just gives him an inner peace and brings comfort to him. Pray that he can rest well tonight. Tomorrow is going to be a big day for him, and he is going to need all the strength he can get. Lee's promised me that he's going to work very hard at it....."as hard as I can baby..." were his exact words. I know he is going to be home with me soon and back to his old self. Prayer has done a miraculous thing for him these past few weeks.... It will also help him through this trial.

I will let you know how the rehab is going and fill you in on the latest... tomorrow or the day after. Thanks in
advance for your prayers.

Love to you all,
Lev

Monday, August 01, 2005

From: levonne morgan Date: Fri Aug 1, 2003 9:03 pm Subject: Out on leave/Lee's update
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Well, Lee is
home on shore leave. It feels so good to have him here and see him sitting back in his recliner, where he belongs. We will take him Mon. morning and admit him to Rusk Rehabilitation Center. Therapist today were please with his "performances", and don't estimate that he should be there long. I'm thinking maybe a week at the most. Maybe even as little as 3-4 days. I'd rather him take the few extra days and get this show on the road, and he feels the same. This will only speed up his recovery and get him to feeling like his old self again. Even the difference between yesterday and today was amazing. All day yesterday I would have to help lift him out of the wheel chair and he was still very unsteady on his feel. Taking little small scoots, instead of steps. When I got there today, I was ready to help lift him from the chair and take him to the bathroom. Instead he just reached down with his hands and pushed himself up out of the chair...not even a wobble. And preceeded to take full size steps toward the bathroom.... I was shocked. His improvedment at least tripled from what it was yesterday. If he does that everyday... it will be no time before he's back in tip top shape.

Your prayers and God's grace are the only reason I believe that he his
home with me right now. God is so awesome! He watches his children, just as he watches the sparrow. I will never be able to thank you all enough for all the prayers, love, and support that you've all offered. It really has meant so much to me and helped me get through this trying time. Please just continue to pray for us and our family. We still have a long road ahead of us. But I know we WILL make it.

Much
love to you all.....

Lee and Lev

"Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today." Exodus14:13
Unfortunately, the first few entries added on this blog page were added in the wrong order. You need to begin by clicking on the July archives, and start reading on July 3. Scrolling down, there will be entries for July 4,5,and 8th. When you reach the bottom of the page, you will then need to return to the post above July 3., dated, July 8. From then all other entries can be read in order, according to the timeline in which they happened, by scrolling up. The newest entry, being at the top of the page. I do appologize for this inconvenience.