RSD AND ME UPDATES

This is the place where you can follow Melinda through the path of RSD. We will try to keep this page updated so you are aware of what is going on at all times.

Sunday April 15, 1999-Good Evening: I wanted to take a moment to let you know that I will be away from my computer for an undisclosed amount of time. I will be hospitalized in Chattanooga Tennessee where doctors will treat me for a relapse of Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy. I will be having several procedures on Tuesday afternoon and I am asking you to pray that God will guide the doctor's hands as well as all the other medical help that will be assisting him. I also ask that you pray that I can be a witness for Jesus even in the midst of "the storm" and that His Perfect Peace will be evident in my life. I have progressed rapidly from stage one to stage three so it is imperative that I have immediate medical intervention. But more than that, we need a miracle to take place in my body. We need it to respond well to the procedures and the medications. We need RSD to be arrested and removed from my body completely. I will miss my time on the internet and all of the friends that God has allowed me to make. I will hold you in my heart and look forward to sharing with you when I get home.

Friday May 7, 1999-Dear Family & Friends: I wanted to take a moment to give you an update concerning Melinda. I brought her home on Tuesday evening under less than ideal circumstances. On Saturday she became very ill. Tests revealed that she had a severe infection in the epidural space where she was being infused with medication. For those of you who don't know where the epidural space is, it is in the spinal region and houses the nerve bundles. She was stabilized and taken to surgery immediately. We all held our breath and waited the results of the spinal tap. Fortunately the infection was stopped before it got into the spinal fluid. She was on continuous I.V. antibiotics until Tuesday. No further treatment can be done until the infection is resolved. She is due back to the hospital in 14 days for an operation that we do not feel good about. Please pray for Melinda. Pray that the infection will clear up completely. Pray that her body will become stronger. And please pray for us as we make some very difficult decisions in the next few weeks.

Tuesday, May 18, 1999-Melinda is making progress but is still extremely weak. This leaves her extremely frustrated, as well as discouraged at times. She is unable to have the operation scheduled next week at this time, and we are working to find a doctor here in Nashville to take over her case. Any gains that were made concerning the RSD were lost as a result of the infection, and she is swollen to the knee again. I want to thank you for your prayers and messages. They have meant a great deal to all of us. Please continue to pray for Melinda's healing. Also, that the Holy Spirit will lead us to the right doctor.

Tuesday June 10, 1999-Dear Family and Friends: I feel blessed to be able to write my own update this time and want to begin by thanking you for all of your prayers and support during my recovery. I have not had a recheck but am not exhibiting any symptoms that would point to infection in the epidural space. I praise God for that. He continues to be so faithful!! I want you to know that while my epidural infection has cleared up, my RSD has become worse. After much prayerful consideration we are going to have to seek medical treatment out of state, either at The Cleveland Clinic or The Mensana Clinic in Baltimore. For reasons that only God understands we are unable to find anyone in Tennessee willing to take on my case. I am asking you to pray for us as we are making very important decisions at this time. Pray that God will guide is in getting the help I need. We will try to update you as things unfold. By now you know  that you can feel free to e-mail us with your questions, concerns, and your own needs at any time. Thank you for being such a blessing in our lives. Truly your love has touched us time and time again. Many times you have been an "extension" of God's hands reaching out to bring us hope during a very dark time.

Tuesday July 27, 1999-Dear Family and Friends: The struggle continues on as I deal with a full -blown case of RSD very much like some of the photographs you have seen on my RSD page. I also have been fighting infection and a ulcer-like wound that will not stop draining. My insurance company has been working with us and has approved me to go to Maryland for a consultation and treatment. The exact dates are still pending. I appreciate your continued prayers and support. Walking the road of RSD is very difficult. I cannot begin to imagine what it would be like to walk it alone. God bless you and thank you for your prayers.

Many of you are waiting for more updates on my condition and situation. My computer crashed before I could post them to this page but I will do my best with my date book and journal to share with you in the days to come all that has taken place. After this update, On August 26, 1999 I was hospitalized in the area for an infection that was being treated by IV antibiotics at home but would not respond to the medication. After a week I was moved to a bigger hospital where I remained for a total of 65 days. So many of you prayed for us and sent your good wishes and words of encouragement. I do thank you from the bottom of my heart. Below are two pictures of the infection at its worst. It took over 9 weeks of intense treatment but the infection did clear up and despite speculation that I might lose my leg...God has been Good and I still have it. I am still having surgeries to try to restore function. I will share more on that in the days to come. Thank you for standing with us. 

I want to share a poem I wrote for a friend who was suffering from illness. If you are sick in your body today...it is for you as well. We serve a God Who is Our Healer. He works in His time, His places, and in His Way but HE WORKS. According to the Book of Psalm "He never slumbers or sleeps." Whatever your need is today...He is Able. I pray that healing will be manifested in your life...in Jesus' Name!!

I close by reaffirming my belief that I serve a healing God. I believe in the power of prayer. Prayer and faith is a mixture that is very powerful. So...let us boldly approach the Throne of Grace!

Melinda

Info