Martin Lee

Remembering

2008-06-17T17:27:00.002-04:00

DaddyO!!!!!

I thought you might like this picture...you always had a thing for fire trucks!!!

It is hard to believe that you have been gone for a whole year. I still find myself just about to call you sometimes to tell you something about my day or something the kids did. I even dialed your cell number once...that was hard. Even though it was hard, there were some good days too. I have been able to start school, and visit with our family. Going to Tenn this year was bittersweet...I had to say goodbye to you all over again but I also was able to see your house, and I was able to feel your presence. I was nervous at first because I didnt know if it wouldnt feel like it did before, but it does...the house reminds me of all the love you had for everyone. I remember the night we had "Haystacks" for dinner and Jesse had no clue what it was, but the smell of the food cooking told him it was going to be good. It remind me of many nights when I was young and I was visiting you for the summer, we had parties with family and friends...we had either black olive pizza or haystacks...and of course green chocolate chip mint ice cream...

I am so happy to have all of this happy, wonderful memories. I still dont understand why you had to go home so soon, but I do know that one day we will be together again.

There is this song by Steven Curtis Chapman that was played during the service for the slide show....I thought I would post the lyrics. I cant hear this song without thinking of you daddy. I love you and miss you soo much!!! Love you forever and forever, your Kiddo

WITH HOPE by Steven Curtis Chapman:

This is not at all how We thought it was supposed to be We had so many plans for you We had so many dreams And now you've gone away And left us with the memories of your smile And nothing we can say And nothing we can do Can take away the pain The pain of losing you, but ...We can cry with hope We can say goodbye with hope'Cause we know our goodbye is not the end, oh noAnd we can grieve with hope'Cause we believe with hope (There's a place by God's grace)There's a place where we'll see your face againWe'll see your face againAnd never have I knownAnything so hard to understandAnd never have I questioned moreThe wisdom of God's planBut through the cloud of tearsI see the Father's smile and say well doneAnd I imagine youWhere you wanted most to beSeeing all your dreams come true'Cause now you're homeAnd now you're free, and ...We have this hope as an anchor'Cause we believe that everythingGod promised us is true, so ...So we can cry with hopeAnd say goodbye with hopeWe wait with hopeAnd we ache with hopeWe hold on with hopeWe let go with hope.

2007-12-05T13:40:00.000-05:00

Hey DaddyO!!! I just wanted to tell you that I love you and miss you very much. I have some hard days and good days. I wouldnt be able to move on without the love and support of our family. We all miss you so much daddy. Look here...its group picture of all the rugrats...they are getting so big so fast!! Little Gracie is you all over!!! The faces she makes! I love you!!

Love always

Your Kiddo!

2007-07-17T17:52:00.000-04:00

Hey Daddyo,

I cant believe its already been a month since you have passed....So much has happened, the kids are getting so big. I wish you were here so I can tell you all the new things that are going on. Michael has turned into this little man, and Amanda is this preteen that is going to cause all kinds of trouble. The babies well, change so much every day. Gracie is pulling herself up and getting into everything. Novalie is learning how to use the potty. Then there is Ben. Ben loves to play the drums and guitar. He will sit for hours and play.

Daddy, I love you so very much and I miss you more than anything. I wish I could have one of your famous bear hugs. The kind that you squeeze so hard, you feel it for days.

Love always,
Kiddo

2007-07-11T22:21:00.000-04:00

Hey DaddyO!

I just wanted to tell you that I love you and miss you sooo very much. You were on my mind alot today. I took the family to the beach and on the way home there was a storm. We were able to watch the storm delvelope from a distance and see the huge clouds draw closer and then the lighting show started and it reminded me of all those pictures of storms you have taken. I wish I had your passion for photography, you always took amazing pictures.

I also saw an old fire truck outside the volunteer fire dept near my house. I thought how you would love to see it, maybe even climb up in it and get a picture!

I love you daddy, I miss you!

Kiddo

2007-06-24T10:52:00.000-04:00

Dear Daddy,

HI DaddyO!!!

I just wanted to tell you that I miss you very much and I love you. I cant wait to see you again.

Love love you,

Kedra
"Kiddo"

2007-06-23T13:59:00.000-04:00

Documents related to the memorial service for Martin: the program folder, inside and out; the memorial folder, inside and out; the announcement posted at McKee Foods Company; and the obituary as it appeared in the Chattanooga Times Free Press on June 19, 2007.

Obituary

2007-06-18T13:18:00.001-04:00

The following is the text of the obituary from Heritage Funeral Home.

Lee, Martin Lloyd age 59 of Ooltewah, TN passed away June 17, 2007 at a local hospital. He was an employee of McKee Foods Company and was a member of the Collegedale Seventh-day Adventist Church. Martin was former deputy chief of the Tri-Community Fire Department. He was preceded in death by his father, Raymond Allen Lee.

Surviving relatives; wife, Margarita Rose. Mother, Margaret Lucille Floyd. Daughter, Kedra Staten. Brothers, Kenneth Lee and Charles Lee. Six grandchildren, four nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at 3 P.M. Wednesday, June 20, 2007 at the Collegedale Seventh-day Adventist Church with Pastors Mike Fulbright and Kenneth Lee officiating. The family will receive friends following the service in the foyer of the church. Condolences may be sent to www.heritagefh.com [or posted here].

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to: American Brain Tumor Association, 2720 River Road, Des Plains, IL 60018 or www.abta.org.

Arrangements by Heritage Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 7454 E. Brainerd Rd., Chattanooga, TN.

2007-06-17T13:38:00.001-04:00

Martin is asleep in Jesus now. Thank you all for your prayers and love. In lieu of phone calls and visits today, please post messages here.

Arrangements will be announced here as soon as they are available.

Ken

2007-06-16T20:39:00.000-04:00

The family treasures your love and prayers, but we must ask that you not visit or call. If you would like to express your love and concern, please post your message as a comment on this blog.

Thank you.

Ken

2007-06-16T12:36:00.001-04:00

Martin's oxygen has been adjusted so that he's now getting 100% oxygen inside the mask (up from 50% yesterday). He also now has a pain medication pump hanging on a pole by his bed. The pump gives him a regular dose and allows family to increase the dosage a bit if he seems to need more. He remains minimally responsive to touch and sound.

Ken

2007-06-16T10:25:00.001-04:00

Martin was a little restless Wednesday and Thursday nights, coughing a lot and fidgeting with his hands. Last night (Friday), he was much quieter. He coughed occasionally, but for the most part he simply slept quietly.

Ken

2007-06-14T20:18:00.000-04:00

Martin was not as communicative yesterday as he was Tuesday evening. He had a fever that responded to Tylenol (at least I think that’s what they gave him). Many people came by to visit, especially last evening after Debbie and I left.

Pastor Herod and Gary Nudd from the Bowman Hills SDA Church were here this morning when we got to the hospital.

Martin is now breathing through an oxygen mask (as opposed to a nasal canula) because he seems to breathe more through his mouth now than his nose. His breathing seems to be more labored than before.

Pastor Kenyon and Ginger stopped by briefly this afternoon.

The family continues to be overwhelmed by the love and support from all of Martin’s friends. What a blessing it is to know that he has touched so many lives and that so many people care about him.

Please understand that, as much as we treasure your love for Martin, the doctor has ordered that visits be limited to 5 minutes or less. If you come to visit, please plan to respect that limitation. Thank you.

Ken

2007-06-13T08:27:00.000-04:00

Debbie and I drove over from North Carolina yesterday and visited Martin at the hospital. He was responsive to our presence and even opened his eyes when Debbie spoke to him. He seemed to be more comfortable than he was last time I saw him (at home). Several others were there, including Margarita (of course), Linda Piatt, Troy and Barbie McDougal, and Lisa ? from the church. Your thoughts and prayers are greatly appreciated.

Ken

P.S. On May 25, I posted a comment that contained a letter that I wrote to Best Buy concerning a very insensitive customer "service" incident at the Best Buy store on Gunbarrel Rd. To date, I have not received any reply or acknowledgement of the letter, so I guess this incident reflects Best Buy's corporate philosophy in dealing with customers.

KAL

Dad is in the hospital

2007-06-11T21:03:00.000-04:00

Apparently Dad wasnt responding or waking up today. So the doctor decided it was time to move him to Memorial. He is in room 401. I plan on driving up this weekend.

Please email me or call me if you have any questions. I will post daily as I get info. Thank you for all your support and prayers.

Kedra

Peaceful

2007-06-10T10:29:00.000-04:00

Dad has been in a peaceful place for the past few days, resting alot and is comfortable. He has been sleeping alot better, breathing better and will sometimes say a few words. He even likes to try and take off his clothes.

A huge thank you for all the prayers, vistors, food and donations. A huge thanks to the people who built the ramp and pathway.

Keep the prayers coming!!

Kedra

Please keep praying

2007-06-06T10:12:00.001-04:00

Dad is doing okay. He is having some periods of sleep apnea but otherwise is doing fine. We have not done any treatments, they were making dad too weak. He is much stronger now and is even able to talk to us..I even got to speak to him on the phone yesterday. He doesnt make much sense but he still has his sense of humor.

I wanted to thank everyone for their support, the food, the gifts, the prayers..Margarita wouldnt be able to get thru this w/o you guys.

Kedra

Thanks for your prayers and concern for Martin

2007-06-03T23:18:00.000-04:00

Dear Friends:

Thanks so much for your concern and prayers for Martin. I am sorry that I don´t have time to thank each person individually who has helped by sending cards, praying for Martin, visiting him, bringing food, and especially words of comfort. I appreciate everything you are doing and I do not feel alone during this difficult time, because all of you are by our side.

Tonight, Martin seems to be doing a little better, stopping his treatments for now seems to be the right thing to do and hopefully he will slowly regain his strength.

May the Lord bless all of you for what you are doing.

Thank you,
Margarita

Thank You for Praying Last Night

2007-06-03T11:20:00.000-04:00

Thank you so much for taking a moment last night and praying for my dad and our family. I would ask that you continue to pray for comfort and peace.

CALLING ALL VOLUNTEERS!!!!!

Margarita has asked me to post a request for volunteers to sit with dad every afternoon for one to two hours. Volunteers must be able to lift and/or turn dad as needed. If you are able to help one or two days a week, please call her at home (423) 893-8960 after 7pm.

If you have any questions, you can post them here on the blog or email me at:

livinonprayer247@yahoo.com

Thank you so much!!

Kedra

Prayer Blog

2007-06-02T20:58:00.000-04:00

"OH Heavenly Father, I call your name with a heavy heart. You are my life, You are my strength. I need you now more than ever, Dear Lord. I raise my hands, I need to feel your embrace. Tears pour down my face. My father, my dear father, oh Lord, please, give him the strength he needs. Give him the peace he needs. Please dear Lord, give him the comfort that he needs. He needs you, oh Lord, be with him now as I pray. Embrace him now, he wants to seek your face. My hands raised high, my heart filled with your grace. Oh dear Lord, I call your name, You are my life, You are my strength, I need to feel your embrace, as tears pour down my face. Please embrace my father, give him comfort, peace and the strength he needs. Please dear Lord, embrace my father with your loving arms....
I fall to my knees with helds high, tears fall down my face as I feel your embrace, and my heart fills with your grace. You are my life, You are my strength. My father, my dear father, needs you now. You are his life, You are his strength. His heart is filled with your grace. He wants to seek your face. Tears fall from his face as he feels your embrace, You give him peace, You give him comfort, You give him strength. You embrace him with your loving arms......"

I love you Daddyo

Pray for Comfort and Peace

2007-06-02T10:06:00.000-04:00

I spoke with Margarita this morning and she gave me an update on Dad. He is doing ok, but he did have some more trouble with his breathing last night. She even had to make a call to the nurse. He is apparently having some apena episodes, so she increased his oxygen.

So, I am calling basically an all hands on deck. I am requesting that tonight at 9pm EST that everyone take a few moments to get on their knees and pray for my dad and Margarita. Pray for comfort. Pray for peace. Pray for strength. Gather around your loved ones and pray together. Hug those you hold close to your heart. Please tonight pray that my dad has peace and comfort. Pray for strength for him and for his family.

I will post a prayer blog tonight and if you would like, you can post your prayer.

I wanted to add a HUGE thank you to all the McKee employees for their donation. You guys are amazing, thank you so much! I know my dad loved his job and working with each and everyone of you.

Kedra

Taking a break

2007-06-01T08:57:00.000-04:00

I spoke with Margarita this morning to get an update on Dad. He is doing okay, but is still rather weak. He had some difficulty breathing yesterday and is now on oxygen. This is a common side effect of his treatments. Because he is so weak and tired, we have decided to take a break from his radiation treatments for now. I will know more on Monday what the plan is.

Please call the house after 8pm if you want to set up a time to visit with dad.

Kedra

A Request from the family regarding visitations.

2007-05-30T13:36:00.001-04:00

I spoke with Margarita this afternoon and she gave me an update on dad and it seems he is still pretty much the same. The radiation and chemo is making him extremely tired. He is so tired he has to be woken up to eat. But other than that, he is doing okay.

Concerning the visitations, we are requesting that anyone visiting dad and the family to please call ahead at their home number during the evening hours, after 7pm or so to set up a time during the weekend (Friday, Sat and Sun early evenings ). If you are a caregiver and are wanting to come by to give the family a break for an hour or two, then you can visit during the week. Please keep in mind that you must be a caregiver in order to sit with dad for any length of time. Dad leaves every afternoon during the week by ambulance for his radiation treatments. When he returns, he is extremely tired and weak and has a hard time eating dinner.

Please email me or call me if you have any questions regarding visiting my dad. I am so glad he has so many people that love and care about him.

Kedra
livinonprayer247@yahoo.com
(850)995-4370

Happy Memorial Day!

2007-05-28T19:46:00.000-04:00

I hope everyone is having a good holiday.

I spoke with Margarita just a bit ago and she was in the process of feeding my dad. He has been having a good day but was in some pain earlier. He is still very tired and very weak, she says.

He has an appointment tomorrow for his radiation and that will leave him even more tired and weaker. She also mentioned that the ramp looks very nice and makes transporting dad much easier.

Many thanks to everyone who worked on the ramp and getting built so fast. Thanks to everyone for their many prayers and support.

Kedra

Visitation

2007-05-26T18:03:00.000-04:00

It has come my attention that they are several people who would like to visit with my dad.
I have spoken with Margarita to see which was the best way we could set up some kind of visitation schedule.

If you would like to visit or bring lunch or dinner, we request that you call their house phone number in the evening time (around 8 or so) to set up a day and time to visit.

Today has been a rough day. I know that he has had some visitors that brought lunch and things were nice. But afterwards, he had a seizure. There is a motto that I have learned over the years going thru many challenges in my life and it applies to this situation as well... Take it one day at a time.

If you have any further questions, please email me.
Thanx
Kedra
livinonprayer247@yahoo.com

Here is a link that may be helpful

2007-05-26T10:10:00.001-04:00

For those who are curious, here is a link to an article that explains the kind of cancer my father has.

http://www.emedicine.com/NEURO/topic147.html

I had done hours upon hours of researching on the internet and only began to touch the surface. It is amazing one what we DON'T know. And this is just the treatments and diagnosis. I havent even began to touch on the articles on where this came from or might have come from, whether or not it could have been prevented. As a mother of five, I am worried about my health as well as my children's future. I am learning on how important it is to have a living will, good health insurance that is very specific in the care you need in the event something like this happens.
Don't think this can't happened to you or your family. This happened so fast, it might as well have been a car accident that left my father with brain injuries. One day he was fine, planning a Florida vacation. Four days later, his whole world changed....forever.
I encourage anyone who reads this, make sure you have your affairs in order. What YOU want, and how you want to be cared for. Most important...tell your love ones you love them and give them hugs. If your family lives across the country, give them a call.

Kedra

His treatment and care

2007-05-26T08:14:00.000-04:00

I spoke with Margarita several times yesterday b/c she ( and the rest of the family as well) was concerned b/c my dad was not getting the chemo medication b/c he has been unable to swallow the rather large pills. So, I did some research on the internet (isnt GOOGLE a wonderful thing!!) and was able to locate the name and phone number of the manufactor of the drug TEMODAR and was able to get some new information so that my dad will be able to take his chemo. Margarita (as was I) was thrilled to learn that she can open the capsule and mix the contents with some pudding and applesauce. She has to use extreme care when handling the medication but this should be alot easier on both my dad and her. Also, she did mentioned that he has been in some pain in the last few days so now he is on morphine when its needed. This is will also make him weaker, but more comfortable. He is still extremely tired and very weak.

I was hoping to return home and tie up a few loose ends and return to help care for my dad. Unfortunately that will not be the case. As the bread winner in my family, I must be able to maintain my household as well and taking an undertmined amount of time off from work did not go over very well with my new boss. I am however in the process of changing my work schedule to three 12hr nights and this will give me four days off. Once that is done and I get a vehicle that will travel the distance ( I live 393 miles from my dad), then I will be able to visit regularly. Should be two/three weeks tops. In the meantime, Margarita has hired a few aides that have helped her out alot.

I want to thank everyone once again for all their help and support. The ramp is almost finished, the food that has been brought.
Please keep praying!!
Kedra

2007-05-25T20:44:00.000-04:00

I talked to my mother this evening and got some information about Martin's day.

He seemed to be weaker today, unable to stand at all when he was transferred from the bed to the gurney for the ambulance ride to Erlanger for his radiation treatment. He was able to sit in the wheel chair for the trip down the hall.

Mom sits with Martin and sings hymns and reads the Bible and prays with him. He responds briefly to some of the points in the Sabbath School lesson and says "Amen" after she prays.

Work continues on the ramp and boardwalk and we appreciate the hours of labor from all who are working on that.

Ken

Brother

2007-05-25T07:09:00.001-04:00

Martin's specific diagnosis is glioblastoma multiforme, which an article posted on the University of Alabama site (http://www.health.uab.edu/default.aspx?pid=90069) calls "arguably one of the most deadly human cancers." The treament described in that article is not yet available, even in clinical trials.

Debbie and I spent most of a week with Martin and Margarita helping out with some of the details of his care and treatment. He needs to have someone with him constantly now. It takes a lot of time to prepare his meals, administer his medications, and--as Kedra put it in a recent post--take care of his most basic needs. The people from the Adventa hospice organization provided the names of some folks who are skilled in sitting with people who need such care and arrangements have been made for those services to supplement the efforts of Margarita and other family members.

Martin's mother (and mine) is still in Chattanooga with her husband, Charlie. She has been sitting with Martin, fixing meals, babysitting with our 3-year-old, Emily, when we were there, cleaning and I don't know what all. They are staying with Andrew Shavers, who lived with my mother and father when he was young.

Andy brought over a TV for Martin's room, when Martin indicated that he'd like to have one. After we got it set up, I was channel surfing for something that would catch his attention and found a college baseball game between Georgia and South Carolina. Martin and I have always loved baseball. We're more partial to the Major Leagues and particularly the Braves, but, hey, baseball is baseball. I needed to do some other things, but Debbie sat and watched some of the game with him and he was much more alert and communicative than he had been before. This would have been on Tuesday, I think, or maybe Wednesday.

Martin has gone to Erlanger hospital three times this week, so far. On Monday, he was taken in for a scan and other work in preparation for radiation treatments and then on Wednesday and Thursday for the actual treatments. He has another treatment scheduled for Friday.

Because he is not able to walk or to travel by automobile, he must be taken to his appointments in an ambulance. The lot that their home is on has a fairly steep grade and it is not a simple matter to get him to the ambulance. The best way is to bring him out the back door onto the deck, down 5 steps and around the home on sometimes treacherously sloping ground to the driveway.

In order to make the trip safer and more comfortable for Martin, Harlan Piatt, my brother-in-fact for many, many years, designed a ramp and boardwalk. I'm not particularly handy with carpentry tools, but we started to work on the ramp this week. Mostly, I dug holes for the 4x4 posts that support the ramp; Harlan did the skilled work of laying out the hole locations and actual construction.

April's (my daughter and Martin's niece) father-in-law, Jerry Johnson, has spent many hours helping on the project. Jerry's son, Ben, and John Thompson(sp?) have also graciously donated their time and skills. The Ooltewah Seventh-day Adventist Church donated some of the materials needed for the construction. Thanks to all.

The project is not completed yet, but the ramp was used for the first time when Martin went for his radiation treatment on Thursday; the crew from Lifeguard Ambulance greatly appreciated it.

Many friends and neighbors have contributed their time sitting with Martin, bringing prepared food, and cutting the grass. The family is very grateful for your care and concern. If your name has been overlooked, please accept my apology. There are so many and I don't even know some of the names.

Among the many visitors not yet mentioned: Pastor Mike Fulbright, who came Tuesday evening(?) and spent some time with Martin and Margarita. Troy and Barbie McDougal, who are really extended family, brought pizza and love one evening for supper (Monday?). Linda Piatt--again, extended family--has been over many times. She and Harlan took Debbie and me out for Chinese on Sunday evening. Emily (surname?), a nursing student, I think, has been over, sitting with Martin, helping with medications, and cleaning.

I haven't mentioned Kedra's visit because she posted her own contribution to the blog, but it was very good to see my niece after I don't know how many years.

I'm sure I have omitted some major events that have happened this week and I have certainly left out a lot of minor details, but I trust that this will help many of you catch up a bit on what has been happening in Martin's life. Thank you for your love and prayers.

Many thanks to my church members in Elizabethtown and Whiteville, North Carolina who have graciously assured me that they can carry on the work of the churches when I need to attend to family matters and to my supervisors at the Carolina Conference of Seventh-day Adventists who are allowing me to take the time to do that. Thank you, also, to the as yet anonymous soul or souls who cut our grass while we were away, to those who contributed to the funds to help defray the cost of driving 500 miles one way to Chattanooga and back (two trips, so far, and more certain to come), and to Janet, who has volunteered to fulfill my assigned duties at camp meeting next week, if I am called back to Chattanooga. And thank you all for your continued love and prayers.

Ken
Please see the comment headed "Customer service incident at Best Buy."

Uncle

2007-05-21T09:33:00.000-04:00

Hi, I'm April. I'm Martin's brother's daughter, AKA niece. I was very happy to visit with my family this weekend.

I became acquainted with three of Kedra's kids, Gracie (6 months), Ben (almost 2) and Novalie (almost 3). With Kedra living in FL and myself living in Nashville, I hadn't had a chance to meet any of them previously.

I was happy to visit with the family and see my uncle Martin. I am praying every day for peace and recovery.

God is good,
April

I visited with my dad over the weekend

2007-05-21T08:11:00.000-04:00

We had a family meeting this weekend to dicuss what would be the best for my dad. He is doing okay, having good days and having bad days. He looked very well this weekend. However, he is now totally dependant on someone to care for him for even the most basic needs. He has fallen several times already. The goal for this weekend was to determined whether a skilled nursing facilty or home health would be helpful.

The family has decided that home health care would be the best for Dad at this point. However, this is very expensive and insurance doesnt cover the 24hr care he needs. So, I will be returning very soon to care for him. I need to work some things out with my current employer as well as tie up some other loose ends before I can pack up the children and myself. I am a Certified Nursing Assistant in FL, so I now just what and how to care for my dad. I will not be able to do this 24/7 and take care of my children so Margarita will also be needing to hire other aides to help out.

Dad is also starting Radiation this morning. He started the chemo this weekend and so far has been doing okay.

Please keep praying for him and Margarita. That seems to be the best thing anyone can do.

Kedra

Starting treatment today

2007-05-17T08:51:00.000-04:00

The last few days have been very rough for my dad. He has been very ill and is unstable. Therefore, they are starting the chemo today. They will start the radiation next week. They will not be going to UAB because is so sick and unstable. He has fallen a few times and is getting hard to care for.
We are looking for volunteers who can help care for him. Nursing or medical background would be helpful but not necessary. But volunteers need to be strong enough to help move him, pick him up if he falls and assist him to the bathroom. If you would like to volunteer, please email Kedra at
livinonprayer247@yahoo.com or you call me at (850)995-4370.

Maybe someone can offer to go the store or cook a few meals, run errands ect. I am going to try to come up in the next few weeks.
Thank you so much for all the prayers and support
Kedra

GOING HOME!!!!

2007-05-15T08:28:00.000-04:00

Good Morning Everyone!!!

I just spoke to Margarita a few moments ago and my dad is doing very well. They are sending him home today. This was so unexpected that she has to run home and get him some clothes to wear home. Dad said he would just wear his birthday suit...so you know he is feeling better!!!

My dad and Margarita are planning to travel to University of Alabama on Thursday for a second opinion and to see what other alternitive treatments are available there. Regardless, my dad will be starting treatment very soon, by the end of the month.
Please keep praying as we all know that prayer is the best medicine!
I will keep posting updates as soon as I get them.
Thanks for all the prayers and support.

Introduction

2007-05-14T09:50:00.000-04:00

This blog was established to provide a way to keep friends and family of Martin Lee informed of his status and progress. You may also post your expressions of caring, good wishes and prayers.

Briefly, his situation is this (feel free to post details, additions and corrections): Several weeks ago, while Martin and Margarita were in Florida on vacation, Margarita became concerned about certain things that she observed. She took Martin to a hospital where they diagnosed a brain tumor.

On May 1, Martin had surgery at Baroness Erlanger Hospital in Chattanooga to biopsy the tumor. It is malignant; radiation and chemotherapy treatments are planned but have not started as of this date. Martin spent a couple of days in intensive care after the sugery and then a couple more in a room before he was released.

On May 12, he began experiencing seizures and returned to Erlanger early morning on the 13th. He was stabilized and admitted.

Prayers are appreciated. Please bookmark this site for updates on Martin's condition.