Monday, March 3, 2008

Please read, I know it's long but please read this.

Okay, this is going to be a serious one, but we just felt that right now we really need our families prayers.

As you all know, Clay has been struggling with a horrible joint disorder for a few years now. He is in pain all the time and his doctor has resorted to just rotating through medications to make him feel better, and hasn't really kept trying to find out what exactly this problem is. Clay started some new medications, causing him to take a paticular medication he'd previously been taking, that can cause internal bleeding, at night. We weren't aware that he wasn't supposed to take this pill at night before bed, and therefore, his started bleeding internally. He has been seeing BYU-Idaho doctors which he hadn't been seeing before, and have been a little encouraged by their enthusiasm. First of all, he has been seeing them because his stomach has been in horrendous pain. They realized TODAY that he has an ulcer. It isn't anything too serious though, he will heal soon enough, but he will still be in pain for a few days. Anyway, the doctors mentioned a doctor who does newer technological tests at the University of Washington, and how they've referred students there before. They told us to seriously think about it. Well, we are seriously thinking about it! I am kind of going all over the place here, sorry- he's just been seeing the doctor a lot lately. So anyway, Sunday, before we found out he had an ulcer, he couldn't go to church again because he was in so much pain so I asked our home teachers to come give him a blessing (I can't tell you what a testimony I have of visiting and home teachers right now) and they did, and it was interesting because it wasn't so much a temporal blessing of comfort as we expected, it was more of a blessing that Clay's physicians would be guided and have the Lord's help when seeing him and things like that.

WELL- an odd thing happened just hours later. This same night. Clay's Mission President from New Jersey called. They caught up on some things, and while they were talking he asked Clay how his joints were doing. He told him what was going on and then he asked, "Have they tested you for lyme disease?" Clay wasn't sure, but assumed they had because it seems like he's been tested for everything. WELL, today at the doctor he mentioned it and they said that he better call his past doctors. He called his past doctors and NO he hasn't been tested for lyme disease. The thing about lyme disease is we read about it, feel free to look it up online- all these symptoms, Clay has had. It said that in the early stages, specific joints inflame. This happened. Later stages, it can cause abnormalities in joints, nerves, and more. It can cause people to think they have rheumitoid arthritis. All of these things are what it seems like Clay has, but he doesn't. Well- basically he got tested for it but we wont get the results back for a WEEK. Ugh. It is one of those things where we don't want to get our hopes up, but it is so hard because all the symptoms point to him possibly having that, and it is curable. Isn't it a little silly that we are basically praying that Clay has Lyme Disease? Well...it would be a blessing in our eyes.

So all in all, we have been going through many emotional, and severe physical on Clay's part, issues this past month. We aren't asking for your sympathies, even though I know we will get them, we are asking for your thoughts and prayers. I know it is probably bad to ask heavenly father specifically that it be lyme disease, so I wont ask you to do that, but please just pray that our doctors will be guided, that we will be comforted, and that all will happen as it should. Even if the test comes back and he doesn't have it, he is in a lot of pain at the moment and we are really thinking a lot more proactively lately with this and could really use our family and friends support and prayers.

I love you all so much!!! Thank you for all that you do for us and for all the love we know we have from all of you.

15 comments:

Patty said...

I am so sad to hear about the things happening to Clayton. I prayed specifically for him when I went to the temple last week and put his name in the prayer circle. I really believe that his former missionary president called because of this. Put the chair under your door and keep a bat and mace by your bed. Great advice and exactly what the police told me when we were having so much trouble with Glen. Take care. Love you guys. bye now.

Lizzie said...

So sad and so hopeful at the same time. I know we shouldn't be rooting for Lyme disease, but I kind of am. How wonderful would that be, if you finally knew what was causing everything. I just called Mom and she's going to figure out a day and call everyone for doing a family fast. I love you both so much, and know that you are already in so many of our prayers. You are both such an example to all of us. You are so humble and good. Love you both.

Rebecca said...

Love you, love you, love you. I'm so sorry for you and wish life could be easier for you. We will be including Clay in all of our prayers for now on, and we will be fasting with everyone tomorrow. Is Clay too sick to drive down? We'd love to have you over for dinner, if he's not up to it, would you guys be up for a visit. Let me know. I'll call you.

Grandma, Nonnie said...

Danielle this is to let you know we're praying for you both. love grandma

Grandma, Nonnie said...

Danielle, My cookie browser got cut off somehow and I couldn't post. So this is the 3rd or 5th letter I have tried to send you. I got an e-mail from grandpa and somehow he deleted the right one and kept the old one: ( sooooo I need your your e-mail, just send it to my address.We are praying for you and Clay. I know that things will work for the best and your answers are coming. I pray for you both to have the strength to get through this. I think it is the hardest thing to watch a loved one suffer a lot of pain because we feel so helpless and so their pain becomes ours also. I know that Heavenly Father is watching over you and blessing Clay's doctors. Hang in there we love you. Grandpa and Grandma

Chad and Jessica said...

We will definitely be thinking of you and praying for both of you! You are both so loving and righteous, you'll be taken care of. Love you.

Emily said...

We'll be thinking about and praying for you guys...I'm so sorry he's been in so much pain. I hope it all works out for the best.

*Stephanie Lance* said...

Wow! I'm so sorry to hear that Clay has been in so much pain! It always makes me sad to know that someone is hurting! Like you said, it's wierd to hope for Lyme Disease but at the same time it would be nice to finally know what it is and get it taken care of! He deserves the help! Heavenly Father loves you and will bless you! My prayers are with you both! love you!

Susan, Blain & kids said...

Hey Clayton and Danielle,
i have been talking to Patty on the phone and am currently fasting with the rest of you. I truly hope that something comes of it. Just keep the Faith and know that Heavenly Father has a purpose in all things and that he will never leave you guys alone. You have tons of family that love and care for you and believe me I know miracles and healing come from prayers and fasting, just look at Gabby. Please tell Clayton to hang in there and thank you so much for taking such good care of him Danielle, I know that it means alot to Patty and Paul and me as well. Clayton is like a little brother to me let him know that I said I love him.
Love you guys,
Aunt Susan

Megan and Greg said...

I love you SO MUCH!!!! I've been sick so I couldn't fast- but many a prayer have been said. Greg was able to fast though. I hope all goes well. Thinking of you both. Love Megan

Collin and Tiffany said...

Danielle I love you guys and you both are in our prayers. Things will work out. Please update your blog with any new news. Take care. We're thinking of you.

AMY AND MIKEY said...

I know we talked on the phone a little, but I wanted to let you know that i fasted, and pray for you every day. I love you.

Cara_Cude said...

Hey yeah I know i am trying to eat more...we sign our lease tomorrow! I dont think im prego,but if i dont get better ill go to the doctor to get a blood test we just dont have the money now. I love you and i hope all is well!

Jenni.Woodmansee said...

it breaks my heart to hear that clay is in so much pain. I'm so sorry and tell him i'm so sorry. I will have you both in my prayers for sure. Danielle, i'm so close so PLEASE let me know if you need ANYTHING!

love you

Grandma, Nonnie said...

Danielle we went to the Temple today and I put your names there. I love you grandma