Steve Carnal Steve Carnal

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In 1995, Steve was running 6 miles 4-5 times a week in preparation to go to Sergeant Major Academy at Ft. Bliss, TX.  He had undergone a physical and was told he was in superb health.  In late May I pulled a tick off his back.  He began to have flu like symptoms but attributed this to a spring cold.  He left for Ft. Bliss  in late June.  While there he collapsed during a run  and had to be coded.  He returned home with blood pressures going from one extreme to the other, within seconds.   He had his first heart cath in July of 1995 and had no blockages.   He  then began having irregular rhythms and passing out.  He was referred to Vanderbilt for testing where he was diagnosed with an Autonomic Nervous System Disorder.   His health continued to spiral downward and it seemed no one knew what was wrong with him or how to treat him.  Our new Associate Pastor visited us in the hospital and asked if we knew anything.  When I mentioned the tick he told us about Dr. Cecil Coghlan at University of Alabama Birmingham.  We called to make an appointment and he was booked  for a year.  What a  heartbreaking disappointment!  Then Dr. Coghlan's nurse (who had lived in Jackson) called and told us there was a cancellation.  He had an appointment the next week!  It was definitely God's intervention.

Dr. Coghlan immediately suspected that Steve had Lyme Disease.  Steve was admitted to the Seizure Monitoring Unit at UAB to monitor his seizures and conduct further tests for Lyme.  The Lyme Disease was confirmed and treatment was started.  With the Lyme he had Vasculitis, Encephalopathy and Disautonomia. (This was November of 1995).  After treatment we thought his illness was behind him but by April of 1996, he had another heart cath and had major blockages that required a bypass surgery with 5 grafts.  Shortly after the surgery he began having blockages in the vein grafts.  Over the course of 22 years, he has had many heart caths and 40 stents.  Now, July 24 of 2018,  he is having another bypass surgery because the grafts are failing.  We have faith that he will have a full recovery and a healthier life.  We appreciate your prayers.