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I am writing to you from the ICU in Lima, Peru :)

Many of you know that a few weeks ago I had a pulmonary embolism. Earlier this week I began having severe pain again and was put back in the hospital.

This was a tough day. Over the last 24 hours I had progressive pain and weakness in different muscles which led the doctors to a diagnosis of polymyositis which is an autoimmune disorder rather than infectious. Because of needing to be monitored more closely, I was taken to the ICU for a day or two. I was started on high dose steroids which is the treatment for this.

I have a long road of treatments ahead. It is early now, but I am probably looking like a two year treatment. Please pray that I will have a very quick response to the medication, to be pain free, and to have great improvement in my muscle strength. Please also pray for my protection from discouragement, frustration, and significant side effects of the meds.

For those worried about medical care in Peru. I have an awesome team of doctors working with me. They are doing a great job and caught this quickly. I have seen cardiologist, rheumatologist, infectious disease doctor, radiologist, pulmonologist, my absolutely awesome internal medicine doctor, and more residents than you can shake a stick at. This case is one that nearly everyone in the hospital knows about. Today I counted up and I had interaction with doctors at least 18 times today. I am getting great medical care. My US doctors agree (and most importantly my wife agrees).

Thank you all so much! Go Blazers!!!

Prayers! Get well Soon!

BTR, I'll be praying for you daily.

Praying for you, may God's healing visit you soon.

My thoughts are with you. It's one of those diseases you don't know about unless you're a doctor or the doctor told you that you have it. I'm glad they're on top of it.

Prayers are with you

get well asap

Will be praying.

Keeping a good thought for you as well...

Just sent up a prayer for you BTR. Hang in there and remain positive!

I pray for God's peace and healing touch for you, and for strength and calm resolve for your family.

We're in your corner, Don.

Without a doubt I consider the work that you do the most important work that anyone can do.

We certainly wish you a speedy recovery.

I pray that you are one the Lord has not yet finished working with and you have a total recovery. Keep us informed as you progress.

Praying for for you BTR. Get well soon!

Definitely praying for you and your family. Stay encouraged and stay strong my friend.

He may need some Milo's sauce intravenously. We may need to put some on a Spirit jet. I think they fly to Lima.

T&P to BTR... stay strong and get well, fellow Blazer!!!

Prayers going up for you and your family. I think your due a momentum shift, we are in your corner man.

Today I was moved out of the ICU (thank goodness) and back to a normal room.

Prayer request of the night. I ask that you pray for my doctor in Lima, Peru - Dr Cooper. She is a wonderful humble physician. I would love to have 1000 people praying for her to have wisdom well beyond her earthly capacity. She has been such an encouragement through this. She has been House MD and has gathered an enormous team of awesome physicians to tackle this case. It is great to see her pull those great minds together.

So... tomorrow please pray that God would give her supernatural wisdom in how to deal with my illness. We still have many tests and decisions to make and I know that she could use your prayers. There is a good chance that I will be returning to see some doctors at UAB once my levels are stabilized. She actually encouraged a second opinion from UAB. She said, my hope is that they prove me wrong. I would be very happy if I am wrong and you do not have this. If I go, I will be there in about ten days. If so, we will need to do a BlazerTalk Milo's meeting. If you don't like Milo's go anyway.

BTR

I'm in.