Jeff's Back Journey

A DIFFICULT, PAINFUL 2026 FOR JEFF

On Sunday January 18th, 2026 while leading the Mid-Winter Bible Conference at Antioch and teaching on the Millennial/Thousand-Year Reign of Jesus Christ, Jeff leaned down to get his water bottle from the floor and lost his balance and both the high stool and Jeff fell hard on that wooden floor. It hurt badly, but he didn't let on and got up and continued with his teaching that night and the next two days. However, in the days that followed, the pain really bothered him. Since he had, had major back surgery in July of 2025 (and 4 years earlier), he was concerned he had damaged the hardware in his back😟

¨     After making a painful trip to Joplin, MO, on Feb. 2, to see our friend Mary to say our earthly goodbyes and then knowing a few days later, we would need to make another trip back to KS for her funeral on February 9th, we decided on Sat. Feb. 7th, to go to Baptist ER here in Conway to hopefully get some pain relief.  Jeff had the last back surgery with a surgeon at Baptist LR, so felt we needed to go to Baptist ER.  He was quickly seen and the doctor who saw him, diagnosed it as a bruised SI joint (no x-rays or tests were done).  She said it would take time to heal.  The steroid pills she prescribed did not help.

What followed that, were weeks of Baptist LR doctor's visits, LR pain clinic visits, and much, much discomfit, that only got worse.  Pain/steroid injections did not help.

In late May, Jeff made the decision to return to Dr. Ranahan at the Conway Regional Pain Clinic (he had used this clinic/doctor previously with his other back surgeries). The Doctor told him that there were several possible options which gave us “hope.”  Those options included:

Steroid injections in the SI joints.  Thus, Dr. Ranaham gave him those shots the first of June (no help).  Another option was to get "needling" (like acupuncture); however, insurance would not pay for that, so it was put on the back burner.

A third option was to see a spine surgeon at Conway Ortho which we felt was the best option.  Jeff was so blessed to be able to get an appointment with Dr. Jordan Walters on July 15 (Jeff's 73rd birthday).  Dr. Jordan was off for paternity leave for 3 weeks due to his wife having a baby girl.  So we anxiously awaited this doctor's visit.

Of course, during the waiting period, the pain continued to get worse and Jeff became bedbound. We went to Conway Regional ER on July 2nd to get help with the unbearable pain. He was given two shots that only gave relief for 8 hours.

A week later (July 9), I had to call an ambulance because Jeff had fallen trying to use the bathroom (a third time that evening) and I could not get him up. He was so weak, his legs could not hold him up. So they did x-rays and a CT and said he did not break his hip or pelvis. He sure displayed all the signs of a UTI (Mom had many so I knew the signs - weakness, confusion, pain when trying to go, etc.), but the urine sample was clear. So after 5 hours, we went home with no answers as to the tremendous pain in his back (they said only an MRI will show that).

You know Jeff's pain was unbearable when he started missing church and teaching his class. He was limited to a wheelchair for the few times he must get up and was bed bound the majority of the time. In total over all these months, Jeff missed 9 Sundays😧. So many people were praying for Jeff and we were so very appreciative. For some reason, God wasn't allowing us to see answers. We knew He has a plan and that we must trust Him, but this journey was so tough. Thank you to so many who brought us food, pampered us with gifts, all the texts, messages and much love. Words can never show how much you were appreciated.

On Sunday, July 12th, Jeff had texted our Pastor (Jason) and asked if he could gather a "few" elders and come pray over him and anoint him with oil. Jeff had done this several times over members of the churches he had pastored thru the years and saw God worked in that (James 5:14-15). We were so surprised when 16-17 Pastors, Staff, Deacons, Leaders and one Deacon's wife (sweet friend Glenda) showed up at 5:00 that evening!!! What an encouragement to Jeff and to me! We love you and all our church family as another sweet friend, Sherron, had her Facebook friends praying that same evening!

Many of you have heard Jeff preach the sermon, Knocked Down, But Not Knocked Out. And that is where we stood! We know that many of you have even harder battles you are fighting and yes, we are continuing to pray for each of you as well. Together, we will continue to Praise the Lord, even in the Storms of Life! God alone is Worthy!!!

Our Texas son, Andy, flew in the next day and spent the week with us.  He accomplished much on his Dad's to-do list that was bothering Jeff that he couldn't do them.  We continued to be so very blessed with people bringing us food, gift cards, gifts, treats, and even pretty flowers.  

Andy was here to also help me get Jeff to the Spine Surgeon on July 15th!

We finally got some clarity at Dr. Walters' office (and was so impressed with him)! When he walked into the room, he (and the doctor shadowing him that day) had already read Jeff's written document of all the back issues, had read the CT scan and had a PLAN!! So glad Andy was there to get it all done correctly. This is the summary he sent to family: The spine surgeon thinks the major pain source may be that the L3-L4 fusion he had from the surgery in July 2025 never fully healed, and the cage/screws there are loose. Most likely they broke loose when dad (Jeff) fell in January this year (at the Bible Conference). One screw may be touching the L5 nerve. The hip pain he’s been experiencing may be from a deep bone bruise from the multiple falls, so they want to check that too.

We did labs afterwards at the hospital to see if there was an infection and then Jeff had an MRI of the pelvis the next day.

A tele-health call on Friday with Dr. Walters gave this report: "Jeff has a bacterial infection around the cage/implant in his back, which is causing much of his pain and possibly why the screws backed out when he fell back in January. He said that the cage needs to come out, and they were working to schedule surgery soon-probably in the next 2-4 weeks. Jeff will need to have another MRI a week or so later to get a closer look at the bone and the implant. The surgery is very invasive. They’ll take out all the hardware and fuse L2-3-4-5. It will require a lengthy recovery, physical therapy, etc."

We were very impressed with the new spine doctor we saw today: Dr. Walters and of course, his sweet nurse, Anna (Ronnie and Linda Whitten's granddaughter). She works for the Ortho Clinic and was filling in for our own Hannah York (our Middle School Pastor's Wife) who was on vacation. What would we do without these wonderful medical people.

It would not be an easy surgery for Jeff or for the Doctor. Could be very risky getting that cage out (with the possibility of the spine collapsing). But both were willing to do it! For Jeff, it was no risk as he had no life the way he was living.

The surgery was scheduled for Tuesday, July 28th

(a year from the exact date he had his second back surgery in 2025).

On July 24th, Rachel (and her kids) and I took Jeff to the hospital for his "pre-admission" appt.  It didn't go well.  Jeff's blood pressure was 63/39.  Of course, that alarmed the nurse.  I had forgotten to give Jeff his bp meds that morning, so right before the appt. he took both his morning and his 11:00 meds which was a mistake.  She went ahead and did the pre-admission (with hesitation) and let us go (wanted us to go to ER but Jeff was too weak to sit and wait for hours).  From that day to surgery day, Jeff did not take any more blood pressure meds!

Rachel determined, after all that drama, that she would take her children home and return and stay with us until the surgery.  She was a tremendous help!!  Thank you, Jonathan, for allowing her to do that while you cared for kids!

And thanks to our brother-in-law Rob for helping us transport Jeff the next day for more tests in preparation for surgery (MRI’s and Cat Scan) so that Dr. Walters has clear results as to where he would work.

TUESDAY, JULY 28th - SURGERY DAY--Conway Regional Hospital!!

We were to be at the hospital at 8:15 for the 10:15 surgery. Jeff had been nauseous overnight (no vomiting, just feeling like he could) and the first thing he said to me, "Call the hospital and cancel the surgery!" I thought to myself - NO WAY!! So with gentle persuasion, a shower, getting him dressed and reassuring him it was just nerves, we went to the hospital.

All was going well: Rachel and I, our Sr. Adult Pastor, Greg, College Pastor, Ryan and Kaye & Rob all had a time of prayer with him. Dr. Walters came in and also prayed over him!!💙

However, around 10:15, the Doctor came back in and told us there was a problem.  We sent out this urgent prayer request to our church family:

Jeff is asking for extra prayers. As the OR team was prepping the room, they realized a part of the CT machine that they use constantly throughout surgery is broken. They immediately put in a call to Little Rock, and someone is in transport bringing a new part. The concern is that the borrowed part may not work and that they will have to order a new one.

If they cannot get the part to work, we will have two options. (1) The surgery will be postponed until Friday or (2) he can attempt the surgery the “old fashioned” way but it will not be as extensive as Jeff needs and therefore the result will not be what we are hoping for.

So we are asking for urgent prayer that the replacement part will arrive quickly and work perfectly.

Please pray!

It was with much rejoicing that the part did arrive and it worked (Miracle #1)!! Surgery began around 12:30 p.m. and lasted til around 5:00 p.m. Doctor later told Jeff that he was really concerned about getting that cage out (thought he would have to dig, pry, spinal column could collapse, etc,). But when he got in there, the cage fell out into his hand (Miracle #2)!!!

We appreciated those who came and sat with us during surgery!💕

The surgeon called around 5:15 and told us that Jeff was out of surgery, and that he was pleased with the amount of work he was able to do. The hardware in Jeff’s back had been replaced, the cage was removed and the infection had been cleaned out (Miracle #3)! Jeff was taken to a room in the ICU about 8 pm for what we thought would be one night.

However, on Wednesday, his low blood pressure issues continued, and he ended up staying 4 nights in ICU. But it was a blessing in disguise. Nice big room, beautiful view outside his window with the garden atrium and a nurse and aide at his every beck and call!!

Allie was his aide much of the ICU stay and Sarah was his great nurse.

Wednesday and Thursday there was pain, which was to be expected. Wednesday was Jeff's "lost day." He doesn't remember much of anything. But he sure talked out of his head🤣. All true things, but just very disjointed and out of character for him. By Friday, there was no need of opioid pain pills and the meds they were giving him to raise his blood pressure was discontinued. He was able to get up and walk with therapist without issues (Miracle #4)!

Side view of the hardware: plates, screws, bone fusions (a cage was not put in this time).

Left pic is side view; Right pic is front view

Friday they put in a PICC line for 6 weeks of antibiotics to rid his body of all infection.

We also got the news that Conway Regional Rehab had accepted him (Miracle #5).

Saturday, a room did open up on the regular floor, so he was moved to Room 403. Thankfully, he only had to spend one night there as he was moved to Rehab on Sunday!

Jeff was blessed with an abundance of visitors. I did a quick video of them. Thanks to all!!

Hospital Visitors

Sunday afternoon August 2nd, Rehab sent a transport van and placed him in Room 505. His room had a great view of Laurel Park. This would be home for him the next 9 nights/10 days.

Monday was his first full day in rehab…OT and PT twice a day. Dr. Denton had a long visit with him. He also has Meniere's Disease and hearing loss as a result! On Wednesday, August 5th, he was told he would be discharged the next Tuesday, August 11th👏🎉

The pain remained minimal for Jeff. They would give him 1000 mg. of Tylenol at night to help him sleep. His only complaint in rehab was the mattress. It was hard getting comfortable and getting "good' sleep. But the medical care he received, was all excellent. And he liked the food!🙂

My "Angels Unaware" story: One afternoon on my way to see Jeff, I stopped at Kroger (on Salem) to get some gas. I scanned my Kroger card; inserted my credit card; and chose the grade but nothing came out of pump. So I went to the booth to get help. A very nice man came and helped me (I had to touch a number for what I wanted in the way of a discount--10 cents off). Then it worked! He said, "It's a man's job." I said, that "my" man was in the hospital. He asked me what for and I explained briefly the situation. He immediately said, "I know all about that"--showed me his scar in the back and a scar in his neck and said he had had spine surgery 17 times!!” Yikes! He asked me what my husband's first name was and after telling him, he grabbed my hand and prayed the sweetest prayer for Jeff. It was very touching!! 💗

Jeff was again blessed with many, many visitors while in Rehab. Thank you to each one who visited, brought food, gifts, treats, love and prayers! Another quick video of those:

Rehab Visitors

After a few hiccups getting released on Tuesday (and what we thought at the time, Miracle #6, getting the PICC line removed and changing to oral antibiotics), we got home around 4:30 and both of us were so very relieved!!  Jeff has Home Health coming to our home for few weeks: A nurse once a week; physical therapist twice a week. 💓 (that was the case for the first 10 days til he was back in hospital)

Wednesday, August 19th was Jeff’s 3-week follow-up appointment. The X-rays show that the hardware is where it should be; both nurses, Anna and Hannah, and PA Chad Taylor and Dr. Jordan Walters say that the incision looks great and they are pleased with his post-surgery recovery. The pain he is having, this week, is normal. The nerves, etc., are coming back to life. He is still restricted in bending, twisting, lifting and driving. We will have another doctor’s visit in 3 weeks.

This was to be the end of what I was going to write in this post. However, the pain in Jeff's hip continued to worsen. And then he started having "virus" or "dehydration" symptoms. He was miserable and back in bed Thursday and Friday. I did call the Home Health nurse and she came but really didn't have any answers. She did called Dr. Walter's office and said if necessary to go to ER. Finally, Friday afternoon at the advice of several, I called an ambulance and they transported him to Conway Regional.

Rachel had a friend text her to ask her what was going on with her Dad as she saw the ambulance in our driveway. So Rachel left school early and joined us in the ER for several hours. Thank you, Rach!

The ER Doctor was great and consulted often with Dr. Walters. They ran lots of tests, blood work, sepsis tests, CT scan and MRI. The summary of all that was that the MRI showed an "abnormality" in the same area of his hip/back prior to surgery and it appears to be continued infection (so what I thought was a miracle in getting him switched to oral antibiotics was not a wise choice). Due to the fact that our prescription medication would not pay the $1200 for home IV's, we asked and was granted to instead use oral antibiotics. So at 10:00 p.m. Friday night, he was admitted to the hospital to get drip IV antibiotics in him. Jeff remained in the hospital until Tuesday, August 25th. Morphine was given to him in the IV as well as a ton of antibiotics. Both Dr. Burgess and Dr. Walters agreed that the oral antibiotics we came home with wasn't strong enough to clear the infection. Also there was most probably inflammation that was causing a lot of pain. So another PICC line was put in on Monday and the plan was to go to the Hospital's Infusion Center every day for 2 weeks to get the IV antibiotics.

We are amazed and so thankful as to how many of the medical people who have cared for Jeff over these last few months are fellow believers in Jesus Christ. As we were watching our Antioch service on Sunday, the Hospitalist came in to check on Jeff and after conversing a while, she knew we had the same faith and asked if she could pray for Jeff. WOW, what a powerful prayer! Had both of us in tears.

Jeff was discharged Tuesday, August 25th (4 nights in the hospital this time).

Wednesday, we started the IV antibiotics infusions at the Hospital. Took approx. 3 hours 😧. We had that same schedule for two weeks/14 days straight (9 am to noon) including weekends and Labor Day. Thanks so much to the men who helped me transport him to the hospital many of those mornings.

Day 1

Day 7 and 10 (both of these are Sundays, so we watched our Antioch services on our phones)

Jeff completed the 14 days of Infusions on September 8th. He saw the Infectious Disease Doctor that afternoon and was disappointed to get the news that 5 of his "markers" had gone up which meant inflammation was still there. However, she did tell him he didn't have to continue getting the infusions and instead start taking oral antibiotics. At this point, Jeff was sure struggling with nauseousness. We feel it's from all the meds that had been pumped into his body the last 6 weeks. He got the PICC Line removed at the Infusion Center the next day.

September 11 -- my post on Facebook:

September 11, 2001 -- 25 years ago, 911 happened
September 11, 2020 -- 6 years ago, Jeff's only sibling (Kim) passed away
September 11, 2026 -- 6 weeks, 4 days since Jeff's third back surgery 

and follow-up with Dr. Walters

The picture below was taken the morning of Sept. 11, but I did add some flare to it! The update on Jeff: The first part of the week was rough. All of the meds that had been pumped into him for the last 6 weeks caught up and he dealt with a lot of nausea and just felt awful for several days. The last IV infusion was Tuesday. Labs were drawn. We saw the Infectious Disease Doctor that afternoon. She (and we) were disappointed that several "markers" had gone up instead of down (inflammation markers). However, she did order no more IV's and for the PICC line to be removed. She prescribed an oral antibiotic for now and then later in the day, at Jeff's request, she prescribed a nausea medication. Thankfully, it worked quickly and he slept all night Tuesday night and had the best day on Wednesday that he has had in months. We saw PA Chad Taylor and then Dr. Walters this morning and both are pleased with his progress. The X-rays and his incision look great, and they are thrilled he is not experiencing any pain (very unusual 6 weeks post op for this major surgery). He has a follow-up with Dr. Burgess in a couple of weeks where labs will be drawn again and then a 3-month post op appt. with Dr. Walters in late October.  They will continue to monitor the labs/infection/inflammation🙏. 

We are so thankful and again grateful for your prayers (and so much more). And to top off this September 11th, God blessed us with a little over an inch of rain and temps in the 70! . Yes, even thru the trials of life, God is good.....all the time and all the time....God is good!!!💗💗

We did have periods of much weariness but also knew that Jesus was our Strength and we held and will continue to hold tightly onto Him!

THANK YOU AGAIN AND AGAIN FOR ALL THE SUPPORT, LOVE, & PRAYERS YOU HAVE GIVEN TO US DURING THIS DIFFICULT JOURNEY!!