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Lee’s Story

Site created on June 23, 2021

Thank you for visiting our Dad's site. We are hoping that this will be a place for us to share our dad's journey with you. This certainly is not the plan we had in mind but we truly believe that God has a plan. His love, strength and redemption will carry us through this journey. However, we couldn't do it without all your prayers and support. So from the bottom of our hearts, we want to start with a huge THANK YOU!

If you know our dad, you know that he is a man of faith. He loves his family, racing, his music but above all else his Lord and Savior.

As we reflect on how we most likely got here, we believe the first sign was back in December. He started to get this overwhelming feeling that would take over his whole body. We thought it was anxiety, now we know it was likely partial seizures. Then in March, he caught COVID---we will leave that testimony to him. Just ask him about his headache and a cup of coffee :). However, he was sick for weeks. Not too long after that, he started talking about a funny taste and smell that he would get. Again, we all thought it was just the after affects of COVID.

His continued to have those symptoms on and off over the past few months. A few weeks ago, he was not feeling well. He was complaining of a sensations that would travel down the back of his neck and arm. He decided, with a little prompting, to see a doctor and have a physical. On Monday June 21, the doctor listened to his concerns and ran some blood work. All his bloodwork came back good. But, they decided to schedule an MRI since the symptoms didn't really point to anything particular. However, the next day, our dad went to play some music for friends. He was not able to sing on key. He tried and tried but couldn't get the tune. That seemed very concerning to him. Some friends and family that were with our dad, said he needed to go into the ER. Thankfully, he listened and mom took him to the ER in Deer River.

At the ER, they discovered that he has a tumor in his brain. He was transported to Essentia Health in Duluth for better imaging. Upon his arrival, he was scheduled for an MRI. During the MRI, the nurse asked if he wanted to listen to music. He asked to listen to contemporary Christian music. The song, "Stand in your Love" by Josh Baldwin came on. Our dad instantly knew he was not alone. He felt the Lord's presence telling him to not be afraid. "Cause my fear doesn't stand a chance when I stand in Your love."
The MRI confirmed that he does have a walnut sized tumor in his frontal lobe surrounded by other abnormal tissue. The imaging is consistent with a glioblastoma, a cancerous tumor for which there is no known cure. As a family, we decided that we would seek medical treatment through the Mayo Clinic in Rochester.

We began making appointments and everything seems to be falling into place.

On Friday, June 25th, we met with the neurosurgeon, Dr. Meyer to go over his treatment plan. He worked his magic and was able to get our dad in for surgery to remove as much as the brain tumor as he can. We are confident that he will do just that with the help of the ultimate healer, our Lord. We feel so incredibly blessed to have such an amazing hospital only a few hours away from home. One of my friends told me, "It is such a blessing to have such an incredible medical facility so close to home. Kings and Presidents come from all over the world to go to Mayo. And we can drive there and then drive home and sleep in our own beds, if we would like." It is so true. You don't always know your blessing until you need them. Praise God!

Isaiah 41:10 Fear Not for I am with you. Be not dismayed for I am your God. I will Strengthen you. Yes. I will Help you. I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.

Newest Update

Journal entry by Leah McDonald — Jul 17, 2022

Hi again!
I know I said I wouldn’t be making any more entries. But my mom asked me to say thank you one last time.
Thank you to all of you that shared in dad’s special day. Whether it was in person or in thoughts and prayers. We will be forever grateful for the love you shared with our family.

Dad’s service was a perfect reflection of him.

As I leave you, I wanted to share something that was on my heart.

Today at church, the praise team sang, The Blessing. Which was also sang at dad’s funeral. But before we sang, the pastor spoke about the words in this song. And that God would be a blessing to all of us, and our children and our children's children. And generations to come.
In the morning, In the evening, in our weeping and our rejoicing. His favor will be upon us. He spoke about how we have an opportunity to be a blessing to those around us.

It made me think about my dad. And how he may not have had the perfect life and may have made plenty of mistakes, but he made a choice in the last year of his life to bless others and speak about God’s love. He gave hope to those around him and encouraged others to not only pray for him but for themselves. We all need forgiveness. We all need JESUS!
It’s my hope that you make a choice to follow Jesus and share of his unending love. And that that love will bless you, and your children, and your children’s children.

Love and Blessings from our family to all of you!

Please reach out to our family, if you need prayers. My dad would want to pray for you so we will continue to do that for you.

John 15:12 – This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.

Read More of the journal titled "July 17, 2022"

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