Arizona tomorrow...

Running around today, preparing and packing- Steve gets to be in a wedding today and we're heading out for the day's festivities- we had a moment where anxiety met us both and so I decided to write this. Leaving tomorrow at 4am to head to one appointment at the Mayo Clinic that we are not even sure what to expect at this appointment would make anyone anxious, right? But the Lord gave us exactly what we needed this morning and I had to share it with you! I got a call from a dear friend and powerful intercessor who shared an image with me that greatly encouraged us. Although I am not going to share exactly what the Lord spoke to us through this friend I am going to share that we are now leaving in 15 hours with new peace in part because of YOU! Over these past 15 months we have had prayers, encouraging words, scriptures, cards, gifts, groceries and much more financial provision all from the Lord through many of you! I am writing this feeling the fear retreat and the anxiety diminish because we know the Lord goes before us and each one of your prayers goes with us! We are not alone! Thank the Lord He is Immanuel, God with us, amen!

Please join us over the next 24 hours as we prepare to drive 12 hours total for one doctor's appointment! Pray for health, energy, protection and answers! I believe I am going to start 2012 with a healed husband by my side, amen!

We love you,
Casey (& Steve)

It's Darkest Before the Dawn

Dear Family, Friends & Those We have not yet Met (who are also our friends),

Steve and I are writing this letter in dire need of your prayers! As many of you got to read our blog on waiting on the Lord and seeking Him for direction in regards to Steve's health, we find ourselves at a crossroads. Upon leaving the Mayo Clinic before Thanksgiving with a clear diagnosis and easy next steps we did not anticipate encountering more chaos and confusion as we waited for a neurologist to call with a consult and to prescribe medication that could take Steve's pain away in a matter of weeks. We came home to many suggestions for next steps and scheduling conflicts with the Mayo Clinic to find out the neurologist who's consult is needed could only be seen December 30th. We have been praying about this appointment and heard back today that he cannot make any exceptions and do a consult on the phone, he will only see us in Arizona. As you can imagine we are trying to remain hopeful and encouraged while not looking to our circumstances but clinging to God's promises in this dark hour. We sit here, typing this, fighting back tears as we don't know how we are going to make yet another trip to Arizona and what even will come out of it.... Please pray for us!

"For the Lord is God, and He created the heavens and the earth and put everything in its place. He made the world to be lived in, not to be a place of empty chaos," Isaiah 45:18a.

We know that God is a God of order and the enemy creates chaos and confusion. We believe that God is in control of every detail of our lives including exactly what we need in this very moment. We trust that He will guide us and lead us in the way we should go.... but we need you. We need the body. We need people to remind us of God's goodness. We need friends and family to stand with us, holding our hands as we truly believe this is the darkest hour before the ever-coming dawn. 

We love you from the bottom of our hearts!
Please stand with us in prayer,
Casey & Steve

Waiting on the Lord...

We have been wanting to write an update ever since posting the doctor's possible diagnosis around Thanksgiving, however we have not had anything that we thought was very profound to post until now. Mainly we wanted to write this to ask that you join us in prayer... God has clearly shown us that He desires us to WAIT on Him. We had a lot of confusing phone calls revealing doctors on vacations, requests to go back and forth from the Mayo Clinic in December and January, doctors here who have referrals in San Diego and all of this chaos led us straight to God asking, "What should we do?" We have decided to WAIT on making any decisions for our next steps in regards to Steve's health and to really press into the Lord. Some of you may know how difficult this is for us emotionally, spiritually and psychologically but it is also very difficult to wait as this month marks the possibility of a lot of change and transition. This seems to be the darkest month of our season yet. We would love for you to join us in seeking Him for wisdom and discernment and we'd also love you to pray for our strength and endurance as we seek earnestly for God's direction and leading. The amazing thing is Gods timing... we have felt this burden to wait and seek Him in very specific ways from December 7 until Christmas Day.... advent teaches us the posture He desires for us is to wait expectantly for the birth of our Savior!

" If it seems slow in coming, wait patiently, for it will surely take place. It will not be delayed,"

Habakkuk 2:3b

Thank you for Standing with us as We Wait on God!

Peace & Love,

Casey & Steve Groff

Pain free in a couple of weeks???!!!!

Dear Amazing Friends & Family,

We write this over joyed with the news we got at the Mayo Clinic last week! We got to celebrate Thanksgiving with all of our family and share the great news with them this weekend and now we have to share it with you... We received a diagnosis for Steve last Wednesday at our last appointment at the Mayo Clinic! Our main doctor says he is 99% sure that this is Steve's diagnosis but we have to wait for him to consult a neurologist that was out of town for Thanksgiving. If the neurologist agrees with the diagnosis presented by Dr Krotzer then Steve will simply get a call with a prescription for a medication that could cause all of his pain to stop in a matter of weeks!

Wednesday we went into our appointment not expecting much more than a new itinerary for January, which other doctors had already added appointments and procedures to. Dr Krotzer started with telling us he is not planning on seeing us in January as he is very sure he knows what is causing Steve's debilitating pain and symptoms. He believes that the lesions discovered on Steve's brain last fall may have been a result from malaria and/or other unknown illnesses when Steve had in Ghana, Africa in 2006. These lesions caused a severe abnormal migraine which caused stroke like symptoms last fall as his nervous system "short- circuited". This caused a "snowball" effect where the abnormal migraine fed off of the "short-circuiting" nervous system and rare symptoms (such as severe pain and weakness) accumulated. We are trying to describe this as it was explained to us because the formal diagnosis was "a rare, severe migraine phenomenon." Dr Krotzer then explained Steve would take a preventative-type medication that would stop the "snowball" effect of symptoms and increasing pain and like a computer Steve's nervous system would "reboot" and he would be pain free in a matter of weeks! No physical therapy, no chiropractic work... PAIN FREE!

We then got to tell our doctor that YOU were praying for him and God knew the exact moment to reveal what the cause of Steve's pain is and He WILL delivered the exact right moment for Steve to be pain free, amen! We need prayer as we wait for these doctors to get back to us and for Steve to learn if he is to start this medication this week or if they want us to return to the Mayo Clinic in January. Please pray for our continued endurance and trust and that God would meet all of our needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus! We feel as though we crossed a finish line but the reality is the race continues. Please run alongside of us in this last, hopefully short, part of the race!

Thanking Him,
Casey & Steve

Think we'll make it home for Thanksgiving!

Casey getting some AZ sun

We made it here safe and sound on Sunday evening and have been busy going to appointments and... resting (as much as we can)! We are very blessed this trip to have less appointments which allows us to sleep, spend time with the Lord together and simply hang out. God really spoke to Steve and I coming out here for round 2 that we need to remember to put our hope in Him and Him alone! He also reminded us to be thankful for this day which He has made and rejoice in who He is in the midst of our circumstances. We have been clinging to His promises and trusting that He is sovereign over every doctor visit. We are truly learning how to take each moment and ask God what do you want to show us through this so that we can be open to receive His blessings every day! Steve had a G.I. consult and uncomfortable procedure our first day back but he is doing great. He has new appointments and procedures scheduled for January which at first threw us into a tailspin but we continue to remember what we said above, He is sovereign over it all, amen for that! 

Tomorrow Steve has some more testing and we meet with our main doctor to discuss next steps. Please pray for Dr Krotzer, that God will give him wisdom and discernment on how to continue pursuing a diagnosis and holistic treatment plan for Steve. We continue to walk this road that God has paved for us and appreciate all of your prayers along the way.

We are thankful for YOU,

Casey & Steve

We need help; heading back to AZ...

Steve getting ready to go to the Mayo Clinic in October

Praise report: Steve's angiogram results reveal no masses or growths! This is good news because this helps rule out the spinal A.V.M. theory. Although this is good news Steve has been battling some discouragement as he went through yet another hard and invasive procedure without getting any closer to a definitie diagnosis. I have also been fighting off discouragement as we are weary and have been running even harder this past week to catch up from last trip and prepare for our next trip amidst day to day life and ministry. We leave Sunday morning and have appointments scheduled possibly through Thanksgiving. 

Please pray for us as we are having to stay in Arizona, in a hotel, going to tests and appointments in hopes of Steve's pain diminishing even slightly. 

We need you to stand with us and help us as we simply cannot do this on our own. 

Peace & Love,

Casey & Steve

Dare to Hope!

Steve pre-procedure, thumbs up as always...

Steve's procedure on Tuesday went very well, in fact he did not have to stay the night for observation. He was relieved at how skilled his doctors were at Scripps and how fast the procedure itself went (as opposed to last time's procedure). He is still recovering today as his body went through A LOT but as you can see above, he had a great attitude the whole time. Thanks for your prayers because we were greatly relieved at how much easier this procedure was than his last one. 

 Please pray for Dr Sanchez and his team as we will be meeting for a follow-up tomorrow and getting more results from the test. Please also pray for Steve's kidneys and overall recovery as he is already in a lot of pain on a daily basis that a procedure like this only exacerbates it. Hopefully we will get to update you as we receive our itinerary for the Mayo Clinic as we plan to head back in 4 days! 

After the procedure we were told that no masses were initially found which is great news. Steve and I felt a bit discouraged though and God firmly placed a few verses on our heart before and after his procedure that we want to share. Before heading off to the appointment at 4am God reminded us to 'dare to hope when we remember this: The faithful love of God never ends," Lamentations 3:21-22. As we left the hospital 8 hours later exhausted and fighting off discouragement God prompted us to praise Him for his faithful love and this verse puts into words what our hearts experienced, "Even though the fig tress have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren ; even though the flocks die in the fields and the cattle barns are empty, yet I will rejoice in the Lord! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation, " Habakkuk 3:17-18. Let's praise God for how good He is and even though we don't understand what He is doing and we don't see how He is going to work out all of these details for good, we trust in His unfailing love alone!

Love, Steve & Casey

Home Sweet Home.. for a week

Early morning at the Mayo Clinic last week

We got home safe and sound on Wednesday to A LOT going on! We thought we were coming home to rest and to catch up from our 15 days in Arizona but instead we got home to phone calls, emails, prep and plans to get Steve on federal disability (as his state insurance was exhausted when we were gone), pre-op for his procedure tomorrow and plans to head back out to the Mayo Clinic in less than a week. Steve's procedure tomorrow is a surgical procedure/test where he will be put out and have to stay overnight. Please pray for him as he is apprehensive about this test because the last one he did over summer had a lot of complications and was very hard on him. 

2 weeks ago at the clinic... more tests for Steve

As I mentioned above we will have a busy week with Steve's procedure and then heading back to Arizona November 20th. Steve and I are exhausted but did get the chance to rest this weekend, thanks to the rain! We would appreciate prayers for strength, persistence and God-given endurance as we face a hard week and then take off again in 6 days! God reminded us yesterday He is our source of hope and although everything seems unclear and uncertain He will fill us with His peace and joy as we trust in Him!

" I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit," 

Romans 15:13.

Peace in Him,

Casey & Steve

Good News!

A little delirious in the waiting room

Today, 8th day at the Mayo Clinic and our 13th day in Arizona, was a day of GOOD NEWS and a whole lot of information. Here's the good news: Steve's main doctor said we are "80% there_ to a diagnosis''! Steve's G.I. procedures revealed possible auto-immune disorders but these do not explain all of his symptoms. There are a couple other possible diagnoses given by Steve's main doctor and his neurologist who is a headache specialist_ but more testing will give concrete answers to prove or disprove these theories. Some more good news, we are heading back to California, home sweet home, hopefully on Wednesday. Steve will be getting more tests and procedures done tomorrow that will determine when and if he's feeling up to sitting in a car for 6 hours. We are going home for Steve to get a procedure done that will help rule out or confirm possible diagnoses the doctors presented here. We will share diagnoses as they are confirmed and we know God is totally involved in Steve's total healing as He told us we'd be getting good news today and we sure did! Better news than we have received in over a year that Steve has been suffering through all of this. Even more good news is, you guessed it, we will be heading back to Arizona to the Mayo Clinic November 20th, for a few days or possibly for the entire week.

Tomorrow, we will find out more definitive test results about the possible auto immune disorder as well as a treatment plan. Steve will also be going through more tests and procedures so please pray for his spinal tap/lumbar puncture because last time it was very painful (and he got a horrible headache from the procedure).

Steve says he 'sees the light at the end of the tunnel' and I completely agree! The doctors we are working with: Steve's main doctor, G.I. specialist, neurologist specializing in head aches are truly God-sends..... we are SO thankful for this powerhouse team who is committed to not only treating Steve but not giving up until they find out EVERYTHING that is wrong. Amen!

We are jumping for JOY and hope you will celebrate with us by praising God! 

Thanking Him,

Steve & Casey

Last week; Day 7 at Mayo Clinic

My mom, me & Steve eating a 'last meal' before the fasting began...

Today is our 11th day in Arizona and Friday was Day 7 at the Mayo Clinic (both in Phoenix and Scottsdale). Steve had his invasive G.I. (laymans terms: "stomach and stuff") procedures on Friday day and we got home Friday evening with a worn out but hilarious Steve (in fact when asked what he wanted after his procedure he said "a latte"; Steve is a black coffee kind of guy). The procedures went well however many biopsies were taken which has resulted in new prescription meds for Steve for the next month. We will be finding out the results of these tests some time next week. The days leading up to the exam were pretty rough on all of us, watching Steve suffer through different types of fasting and prep for his procedures. However, God really spoke to us powerfully over those 48 hours and has continued to speak to us this weekend! He reminds us "_your faith should not be in the wisdom of man but in the power of God," 1 Corinthians 2:5. We know that God will heal Steve as He has spoken it to us and many others over this past year, however it will be in His perfect timing, when we can give all the glory to Him and not to the wisdom of man! We continue to put our hope in God alone, trusting in His perfect plan for us and surrendering our needs to know when, where and why every moment while we are here. God is teaching us what faith without sight really means and we have been encouraged by so many of you standing with us, praying for us and fighting alongside of us. Please pray for this week as we have a lot of new tests, appointments and first time follow ups for procedures done last week. We are very hopeful that God will diagnose Steve here through these doctors this week as He continues to speak to us about healing, "I will give you back your health and heal your wounds," says the Lord (Jeremiah 30:17). As we mentioned before God's thoughts and ways are above ours and we submit to that moment by moment, as difficult as that may be. Pray for the doctors and test results_ that God would reveal the underline cause so that He can get all the glory! 

Trusting in Him,

Casey & Steve

Days 5 & 6 at the Mayo Clinic

Steve waiting in a Neurology Consultation

We have officially been here over a week now and are all feeling it! Steve continues to stay positive (see thumbs up above) as he goes through lengthy testing and somewhat invasive procedures.

Day 5 at the Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale Campus: Our days seem to run together here but the highlight of the day (yesterday) was getting to meet with a very intelligent Christian doctor who was even involved in InterVarsity in his college days! He gave Steve a very thorough recovery plan including diet, new non-narcotic drug regiment, exercise/physical therapy plan & more for us to begin when we get home. This was encouraging but also hard for Steve to even visual what this will look like as we stay here, with more testing waiting for us every day.

Day 6 at the Mayo Clinic/ Speciality Clinic, Phoenix Campus: Steve saw some specialists today who both ordered a gambit of new tests and procedures which extends our stay here by another couple of days. These tests include ones that have never been done on Steve, which is a bit refreshing for him to say the least. We actually got back to our hotel today before 2pm (today was only a 7.5 hour day compared to others, which is a nice change!). Steve continues to do prep, fasting and medication for a pretty big procedure tomorrow that will keep him laying around most of the weekend, recovering. Please pray this procedure goes smoothly and pain-free! 

Thanks again for all of the kind words through text, email and facebook (keep them coming!)- it's so encouraging to remember we have a community of support with us every step of the way, no matter how hard and long the road may seem...

Peace & Love,

Steve & Casey

Days 3 & 4 at the Mayo Clinic

Steve recovers from a hard day...

We have been in Arizona a week now! Yesterday was Day 3 at the Mayo clinic: it was a pretty stressful day going between the Phoenix and Scottsdale campuses while trying to communicate with Scripps in Encinitas and multiple imaging companies back in San Diego.... The appointments yesterday went ok, we felt a bit discouraged as the neurosurgeon had to re-schedule pending some MRI discs that hadn't come in yet (aka why things were so stressful in the morning). His other appointments were more consultations following his many tests last week. 

Day 4, today, was Steve's hardest day physically yet. Steve had to refrain from taking ANY PAIN MEDICATION from 8pm last night until 3pm today! We got to see how much all of his prescription medications are truly needed. The Mayo Clinic is very thorough and continues to add more tests and procedures to our itinerary thus extending our stay 2 additional days. Steve and I have heard this verse many times over the past year and even more so this past week: "I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord, "Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future," Jeremiah 29:11. We continue to cling to this promise but above all else to God, who is good all of the time... even when it doesn't look or feel like it :). We are excited for the future because it is in his hands.

Please pray for Steve's continued strength and endurance as he has some pretty invasive and uncomfortable tests over the next 3 days. Please also pray that we focus on God above the stress, tests, doctors, feelings & more.... Lastly, please pray for Dr Krotzer and divine wisdom for him and his team because we KNOW God is the one who will ultimately heal and restore Steve!
Trusting in Him,

Steve & Casey

Steve before...

Our Wedding day April 18 2009

I realize that we have been meeting people and giving out this website who did not know Steve before he got sick. I wanted to post some pictures of the first year of our marriage, some right before he got sick so you can get a better idea of Steve before....

Steve on our wedding day, April 18 2009

Newly Weds 2009

Steve's 24th birthday (August 2009)

beach camping

New board!

Day 2 Groffs take Arizona!

Love in the cafeteria at the Mayo Clinic (Scottsdale)

Today was day 2 and was another adventerous day at the Mayo clinic! Steve had multiple appointments and the catscan he went through today went well. He is being such a trooper- having such a joy-filled attitude as his itinerary continues to fill for every day. We were there another 9 hours today (8 yesterday) and looking forward to a break this weekend. Steve is excited to sleep and I am looking forward to some much needed sunshine and being 'in nature'. The only 'news' we have receieved is that our trip continues to get extended from 7 days coming out here to 10 days yesterday and now possibly 2 weeks. Please pray that we rest this weekend! Please also pray that Steve gets to sleep and that we can spend some time together and with the Lord to prepare our hearts for this upcoming week. Thank you also for the encouraging texts, voicemails, emails and facebook messages. In between appointments Steve always shows me who commented on the blog or who sent him a rad verse and I see such joy on his face! It is so amazing that God provided us with such an encouraging, supportive and loving community in each and every one of you. 

Peace & Love from Arizona,

Casey & Steve

1st Day at the Mayo Clinic

Steve and I sitting in the sun outside the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, AZ

 

 

Today was our first day of appointments and it was both amazing and overwhelming! We showed up expecting 2-3 appointments and Steve ended up getting tests, procedures and seeing doctors from 7am to 3pm today! The overwhleming part is our itinerary changes after every appointment and Steve has atleast 5 appointments every day through November 4th. The amazing part is that God not only has prepared us in so many ways for this trip but also has provided and continues to provide every day for us in miraculous ways. The Mayo Clinic is great! The doctors and staff are so helpful and the clinic itself is so fast and efficient. Please continue to pray for Steve's health as he has a catscan at 7am tomorrow and tests/ appointments until 4pm. Thanks for the prayers, love and support! We cannot believe how peaceful we felt all day today as we knew so many of you are praying with us and above all else God is with us. Thank the Lord He is Immanuel- God with us! 

Peace & Love, Steve & Casey

The Groff's are heading to the Mayo Clinic!

The one-year anniversary of the start of Steve's undiagnosed illness, when his experience of unexpected pain and other debilitating neurological symptoms started, was last week and this week (Oct 15) marks the first of many overnight hospital stays. 

Steve's first hospital stay October 15, 2010

As many of you know Steve has seen approximately 35 doctors over the past year and has received several referrals to diagnose the underline cause for his severe pain and symptoms. The doctors he has seen include specialists such as Neurologists, Spinal and Neurosurgeons, Radiologists, Oncologists, Infectious Disease Specialists, Chiropractors, headache and Pain Management Specialists and more. He has followed up on every discharge recommendation, undergone invasive testing, scanning and procedures and continues to receive new referrals as his health deteriorates. Steve’s primary physician in Encinitas, California continues to work tirelessly to help Steve manage his pain while trying to refer him to doctors who can offer a viable diagnosis for his current condition. Many doctors have had theories after his initial MRI’s and other tests, which came back abnormal yet most of these theories continue to change or evolve as new tests present new information.

Steve and I before one of his procedures 2011

Steve has been to UCSD in La Jolla, Scripps Memorial in Encinitas, Loma Linda and many more locations for procedures, tests, appointments and hospital stays. Steve’s case has been reviewed and accepted by the Mayo Clinic in Phoenix Arizona and we are in the process of preparing to stay out there for a week (or as long as needed) to get testing done and go to his appointments. Our first appointment with the Mayo Clinic is October 27, 2011 through November 4th 2011.

Steve at UCSD ER 2011

We hope and pray to get a diagnosis and treatment plan at the Mayo Clinic and would appreciate your prayers as well! We trust that the Lord will continue to provide for us as He has and believe He has a plan for all of this. Steve has been trusting in the Lord and His promises as he continues his daily battle against excruciating pain. He is such a radical example of faith and never ceases to amaze me every day for this past year as he continues to fight against hopelessness and continues trusting the Lord! I have gotten to truly see God's goodness in all of this suffering because He is right here with us.

"Cast all your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall," Psalm 55:22.

Thank you for your love, support and prayers,

Casey & Steve Groff