Leslie's Health Crisis
Donation protected
There are many life stories deserving to be told: many. But for now, I would like to focus on the story of my sweet friends, Leslie, and her husband, Luke. I cannot put into words how much this couple means to me, much less tell you what they mean to all of their family and friends. They raised a beautiful daughter, Brooke, who lives in Louisiana with her husband, Bo. Leslie and Luke have been serving in the faith community for years, first at Oakview Baptist, then Hope Irving. They have always leaned into life, embracing all its ups and downs.
Luke and Leslie have been married for 36 years. She has been diabetic since she was one year old. I am amazed when I see how she manages her insulin care – testing with her machine, handling all the little test strips and then counting the number of “clicks” as she fills her syringe with insulin: Oh wait….have I mentioned she has been blind for 32 years?
Luke and Leslie have introduced many lost people to the Lord, mentored young men and women, wrangled youth in Junior High and Senior High ministry, and served in years of church leadership.
In spite of Leslie’s health situation, they continue to be a reflection of what the covenant of marriage looks like. They make me proud!
Life is full of twists and turns, and in September 2019, Leslie began struggling with uncontrolled nausea. From September 2019 through February 2020, she was in the ER numerous times. No explanation or diagnosis were present, other than a possibility the stomach was being affected from her diabetes. However, her last trip to the ER in February 2020, landed her in a Dallas Hospital. Within the next few days, it was determined she had Stage 3 Colon Cancer, with a tumor that needed to be removed. Have I mentioned she is blind?
Luke, who is self-employed, suddenly found himself unable to work full-time because Leslie needed a hospital advocate by her side - she needed a set of eyes with her at all times. In the beginning of her stay, we had plans to have her family and girlfriends sit with her - be her eyes - which would allow Luke to work full-time. Sadly, not only was there a quick decline in Leslie’s condition, requiring Luke to be with her constantly, but we were in the beginning stages of a Covid crisis which prevented visitors from entering the hospital.
A large mass was removed from her colon and, five days after her first surgery, a second surgery was needed to remove an infection which threatened her greatly. It was then necessary to provide relief to her colon, and an ileostomy was performed.
This was her third week in the hospital: Luke was still unable to work full-time because of her situation. So, let’s recap: Leslie has diabetes, now colon cancer, an ileostomy bag that requires constant care and…..did I mention she is blind?
She was released from the hospital after one month, and let’s add more complication, shall we? Remember, we were in the beginning of a Covid-19 Pandemic, and doctors instructed them to go home: stay home: stay away from others: and only emerge when time to start her chemo.
Okay, so maybe one complication is doable, right? Disinfect, wash your hands, and wear masks. But then, complication No. 2 reared its head: and it was a monster. For those of you familiar with an ileostomy, you know that constant care is needed. Did I mention she is blind? To make matters impossible for Leslie, she had a flaw with the mechanics of the ileostomy process, making it necessary for Luke to provide constant communal support. Remember, she is blind.
Oh boy - so now Luke is overseeing insulin levels, he is in a battle with the malfunction of the ileostomy site, and now they must mask up: drive to the hospital every other week for a round of aggressive chemotherapy, which leaves Leslie exhausted and weak for several days. Luke was still unable to work full-time, and it is now the summer: with medical expenses rising that are not covered by insurance.
Since the surgery, Luke has been her caregiver 24/7. Although, most times she can manage her insulin shots, the second complication; however, needs eyes/vision to maintain and oversee. Personal support such as what Leslie requires, happens all through the day and night. Luke’s bed became a recliner - with sleep deprived days, as well as nights. He cooks, he cleans, he medicates, he changes bandages and devices, and he oversees the constant inventory of medical supplies. He checks the patio for wasps, he makes sure she has her audible books to “read”, food in the right place in the pantry, makes sure her hair looks just right, and insures her clothes are proper. Unbelievable attention to detail this husband provides to his wife…
Okay, Let’s get current! It’s October 2020! She finished her chemotherapy a few weeks ago. Yay! Thank you, Lord! As usual, after a patient “rings the bell” with the last chemo treatment, she was scheduled for a CT scan and…. within a week, the results came in: She has a new spot on her liver. In mid-November, she is scheduled to have liver surgery to remove a lesion. Once the lesion has been biopsied and identified, it is possible she will be upgraded to Stage 4 cancer. We pray it is benign.
Another prayer, please? We pray that Leslie’s ileostomy can be reversed at the same time they do her liver surgery. Without the constant routine of the ileostomy, they can focus on the surgery and what comes next. Many ileostomy patients struggle with not only physiological issues, but psychological as well. You can imagine the psychological burden of a procedure that is flawed.
They are tired. They are concerned. They are isolated. They are in an arid land at the moment, fighting an enemy that is ruthless. Because of Covid, they cannot risk anyone being around either of them, which rules out visiting nurses, family and friends to help.
I constantly tell Luke what an awesome husband he is, and how proud God must be of him. I tell Leslie how brave she is. Their finances are crippled, and it looks as though the journey has now taken on some extra stops. For the first time, I hear the discouragement in their voices.
Ya’ll! I have to tell you about my sweet friend. Leslie loves life! She has participated in many comedy routines at church, as well as some “Kleenex Alert” drama. Nothing is too big for her. She says “yes” to anything! She is game for “everything” when it comes to serving in God’s Kingdom. She worries about Luke and the burden he carries. They rock, you guys, as a Godly couple….and they need some help.
Throughout this ordeal, the most important thing to Luke and Leslie was to be a good witness to those around them: at the hospital, the chemo unit, all the technicians and nurses and doctors. It was important for people to know that they loved the Lord and they had faith.
Did I mention she has cancer, and is blind?
Just today I was talking to Luke about some of his medical supply needs not covered by insurance. Cancer doesn’t seem to care if you can’t pay your mortgage, your car, your insurance, or even buy your sick wife a dozen roses. It. Simply. Doesn’t. Care. Cancer is hateful.
And that, my friends, is where we come into the picture. We got this! It’s important that this couple doesn’t have to worry about finances for a while. I wanted to start this fundraiser so they can keep all their energy on healing Leslie’s body and getting well.
As Leslie always tells me: “God has a plan.”
Will you please consider a donation? If you are unable to help with a monetary gift, will you pray? Please?
Luke and Leslie have been married for 36 years. She has been diabetic since she was one year old. I am amazed when I see how she manages her insulin care – testing with her machine, handling all the little test strips and then counting the number of “clicks” as she fills her syringe with insulin: Oh wait….have I mentioned she has been blind for 32 years?
Luke and Leslie have introduced many lost people to the Lord, mentored young men and women, wrangled youth in Junior High and Senior High ministry, and served in years of church leadership.
In spite of Leslie’s health situation, they continue to be a reflection of what the covenant of marriage looks like. They make me proud!
Life is full of twists and turns, and in September 2019, Leslie began struggling with uncontrolled nausea. From September 2019 through February 2020, she was in the ER numerous times. No explanation or diagnosis were present, other than a possibility the stomach was being affected from her diabetes. However, her last trip to the ER in February 2020, landed her in a Dallas Hospital. Within the next few days, it was determined she had Stage 3 Colon Cancer, with a tumor that needed to be removed. Have I mentioned she is blind?
Luke, who is self-employed, suddenly found himself unable to work full-time because Leslie needed a hospital advocate by her side - she needed a set of eyes with her at all times. In the beginning of her stay, we had plans to have her family and girlfriends sit with her - be her eyes - which would allow Luke to work full-time. Sadly, not only was there a quick decline in Leslie’s condition, requiring Luke to be with her constantly, but we were in the beginning stages of a Covid crisis which prevented visitors from entering the hospital.
A large mass was removed from her colon and, five days after her first surgery, a second surgery was needed to remove an infection which threatened her greatly. It was then necessary to provide relief to her colon, and an ileostomy was performed.
This was her third week in the hospital: Luke was still unable to work full-time because of her situation. So, let’s recap: Leslie has diabetes, now colon cancer, an ileostomy bag that requires constant care and…..did I mention she is blind?
She was released from the hospital after one month, and let’s add more complication, shall we? Remember, we were in the beginning of a Covid-19 Pandemic, and doctors instructed them to go home: stay home: stay away from others: and only emerge when time to start her chemo.
Okay, so maybe one complication is doable, right? Disinfect, wash your hands, and wear masks. But then, complication No. 2 reared its head: and it was a monster. For those of you familiar with an ileostomy, you know that constant care is needed. Did I mention she is blind? To make matters impossible for Leslie, she had a flaw with the mechanics of the ileostomy process, making it necessary for Luke to provide constant communal support. Remember, she is blind.
Oh boy - so now Luke is overseeing insulin levels, he is in a battle with the malfunction of the ileostomy site, and now they must mask up: drive to the hospital every other week for a round of aggressive chemotherapy, which leaves Leslie exhausted and weak for several days. Luke was still unable to work full-time, and it is now the summer: with medical expenses rising that are not covered by insurance.
Since the surgery, Luke has been her caregiver 24/7. Although, most times she can manage her insulin shots, the second complication; however, needs eyes/vision to maintain and oversee. Personal support such as what Leslie requires, happens all through the day and night. Luke’s bed became a recliner - with sleep deprived days, as well as nights. He cooks, he cleans, he medicates, he changes bandages and devices, and he oversees the constant inventory of medical supplies. He checks the patio for wasps, he makes sure she has her audible books to “read”, food in the right place in the pantry, makes sure her hair looks just right, and insures her clothes are proper. Unbelievable attention to detail this husband provides to his wife…
Okay, Let’s get current! It’s October 2020! She finished her chemotherapy a few weeks ago. Yay! Thank you, Lord! As usual, after a patient “rings the bell” with the last chemo treatment, she was scheduled for a CT scan and…. within a week, the results came in: She has a new spot on her liver. In mid-November, she is scheduled to have liver surgery to remove a lesion. Once the lesion has been biopsied and identified, it is possible she will be upgraded to Stage 4 cancer. We pray it is benign.
Another prayer, please? We pray that Leslie’s ileostomy can be reversed at the same time they do her liver surgery. Without the constant routine of the ileostomy, they can focus on the surgery and what comes next. Many ileostomy patients struggle with not only physiological issues, but psychological as well. You can imagine the psychological burden of a procedure that is flawed.
They are tired. They are concerned. They are isolated. They are in an arid land at the moment, fighting an enemy that is ruthless. Because of Covid, they cannot risk anyone being around either of them, which rules out visiting nurses, family and friends to help.
I constantly tell Luke what an awesome husband he is, and how proud God must be of him. I tell Leslie how brave she is. Their finances are crippled, and it looks as though the journey has now taken on some extra stops. For the first time, I hear the discouragement in their voices.
Ya’ll! I have to tell you about my sweet friend. Leslie loves life! She has participated in many comedy routines at church, as well as some “Kleenex Alert” drama. Nothing is too big for her. She says “yes” to anything! She is game for “everything” when it comes to serving in God’s Kingdom. She worries about Luke and the burden he carries. They rock, you guys, as a Godly couple….and they need some help.
Throughout this ordeal, the most important thing to Luke and Leslie was to be a good witness to those around them: at the hospital, the chemo unit, all the technicians and nurses and doctors. It was important for people to know that they loved the Lord and they had faith.
Did I mention she has cancer, and is blind?
Just today I was talking to Luke about some of his medical supply needs not covered by insurance. Cancer doesn’t seem to care if you can’t pay your mortgage, your car, your insurance, or even buy your sick wife a dozen roses. It. Simply. Doesn’t. Care. Cancer is hateful.
And that, my friends, is where we come into the picture. We got this! It’s important that this couple doesn’t have to worry about finances for a while. I wanted to start this fundraiser so they can keep all their energy on healing Leslie’s body and getting well.
As Leslie always tells me: “God has a plan.”
Will you please consider a donation? If you are unable to help with a monetary gift, will you pray? Please?
Organizer and beneficiary
Betty McGuire Yarbrough
Organizer
Irving, TX
Luke Sullivan
Beneficiary