We were getting very discouraged this winter by the delay in N's treatments. I found myself almost giving up as I watched my husband dropping pounds by the week. He is now down to about 100 lbs. which is extremely concerning given the severity of his osteoperosis. I told a chiropractor recently about his weight and his bone density-- ranging from -4 to -6 all the way down the spine with the multiple compression fractures. She was shocked and said there was no way she could do spinal decompression (a pain relief treatment for disks) on someone with his fragile bones. Each time I looked at N I wondered how much further down he would go before he suffered another fracture which would make him bedridden again (our worst nightmare). And what about his poor organs getting compressed-- a horrifying result of his shrinking spinal column!? Not to mention the stomach pain that had been keeping him up for nights on end (on and off since August). We wondered, is it the Lyme or the organ compression? Each time we would schedule a treatment some symptom would flare up and cause him to go back on antibiotics or antiinflmamatories. No stem cells, no progress, more slipping. His parents, sister, my mom and I have been heartbroken.
Then God did something. Hilary (N's mom) and I cried a lot and cried out a lot to God together. I asked many of you to pray. Suddenly (and I mean suddenly) the stomach pain became manageable and God lifted a cloud of sorrow and replaced it with resolve and hope. It was a turn around-- a sign for good that cannot be explained as much as felt. N and I talked a lot and we realized that we are in a war with two fronts. One nemesis is the Lyme and it's insidious coinfections; the other is the osteo which is like a time bomb on your bones and structure. Then there's plenty else in between, but those are the two overwhelming enemies. We rallied and realized we've been blessed with many pain management and stem cell stimuation tools in our home. These tools undergird the gift of his fund which has allowed us to continue miraculous stem cell therapy thanks to the support of many. We know that while we face some impossible odds, we have some wonderous, targeted resources at hand. Thanks to the support of many through prayers, help, love and gifts, we are able to take on this battle again.
I believe this gift of motivation and the grace we are currently experiencing is a result of many fervent prayers. On Saturday, 4/27/13, Nathanael was FINALLY able to recieve another critical stem cell treatment. He has been fatigued and in pain without his meds and supplements, but through many prayers, is doing better than he has with last year's treatments. He has a smile on his face, took a walk in the sunshine yesterday, and is back to directing some situations like an air traffic controller. That's my guy.
These treatments have totally saved his life and have given us the best 2.5 years of our marriage (even though it's been terribly hard!). His mind is renewed-- he can read, concentrate and remember things again, I can tease him, and we can take little walks outside. Somethings I thought were lost.
We celebrated 9 years of marriage this month (even though we've been friends since middle school)! His grace is our strength.
Thank you for your care,
Nathanael and Roxie
And He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness." Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast
about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.
2 Corinthians 12:9-10
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