Stephen’s Story

Site created on July 28, 2021

On Wednesday, July 7, 2021, Steve started showing symptoms of Covid-19. He had two weeks of ups and downs with his symptoms; however, by July 22 (Lori and his 43rd wedding anniversary), he was feeling significantly better and through Covid. On Friday, July 23, he started to have some tingling in the tips of his fingers and toes. He went about his day and woke up Saturday with slightly more tingling and feeling "off." By Saturday evening, he was becoming weak and unsteady while walking. He started to have back pain and that evening Lori took him to the ER. While there, he had bloodwork and a CT of his chest. Lori had been looking up Steve's symptoms and mentioned her concern about the possibility of Guillain-Barre Syndrome. The ER doctor completed a neurological assessment and at that time felt that his symptoms were related to his Covid recovery and Steve & Lori were discharged home. 
Sunday morning, Steve's symptoms had worsened. The tingling had progressed from the finger tips to the palms of his hands and from his toes to the bottoms of his feet. His gait was noticeably more unsteady and he was feeling even more weak than he had the night before. The other significant changes on Sunday were tingling of the tongue, he began to notice a slight difficulty swallowing, and he was unable to lift or hold up his left arm. At that point (Sunday afternoon), Lori took Steve back to the ER and he was admitted after a head and neck CT and more bloodwork was completed. The head/neck CT was done to rule out a stroke. No evidence of stroke was noted on the CT. Steve was fully admitted and spent his first night in the hospital as an in-patient. 

Newest Update

February 7, 2022 Another answer to prayer!

Journal entry by Lori Fretz —

Written by Steve …

On July 25, 2021, I was hospitalized and quickly diagnosed by a neurologist with GBS. Five weeks later, I was discharged and went home to continue my rehabilitation. The Lord has given me strength! He has enabled me to resume my ministry as a pastor and continued to heal my body. On January 31, 2022, I had a nerve conduction study like the one I had in July 2021 in the hospital. While she was completing my evaluation, my neurologist said that all my nerves that had been severely affected by GBS were now back to normal. As I lay there and heard her say those words, I teared up and thanked the Lord for His grace, mercy and healing. Although I still have lingering affects from GBS, I know that the Lord has done great things for me. Holy is His Name!  The Lord is gracious and merciful. Over these past six months, I have been humbled by God’s grace and goodness, and have shared my testimony numerous times along the way. God does hear and answer prayer! He does walk alongside us when we’re in the valley of illness and hardship. Thank you all for being such a blessing to us (Lori and me) by praying for us and loving us in our time of need. 

Read More of the journal titled "February 7, 2022 Another answer to prayer!"
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