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Curtis: [00:00:00] I've seen pictures and we're gonna show some of those pictures to the audience, but I've seen some of your neck and head pictures with all the screws and bolts and everything holding you together. You, you told me to date you really lost count of surgeries, but an estimated number of surgeries already.Leigh Ann: Yes, we are upwards of a hundred, if not over a hundred. Multiple, multiple, every single year. And when I think it's a year, I'm gonna get a break look out, something else happens. SoCurtis: A hundred surgeries.Leigh Ann: yes. Yeah.Curtis: Hi everybody and welcome to the Run to the Hard podcast. Um, today we've got a special guest. This is Leanne, who is also [00:01:00] my neighbor. I had the chance to interview her husband, uh, just a couple weeks ago and had a chance to get him on the podcast. Um, but Leanne is no stranger to hard things. And so without further, further ado, Leanne, welcome to the program.Leigh Ann: Thank you.Curtis: You are welcome. I know we've been talking about doing this for a little while now, and um, I have said this publicly before, but, and I've even said it to you, but I'll say it to, to you again, like, Leanne, you are one of my heroes,Leigh Ann: Well, thank you.Curtis: and I know, you know, I know that's a big, a big deal, but, but you are, you know.We met, I don't know, 10 years ago in church. Um, you moved into this neighborhood and, and, uh, but we really got to know each other at church. And, um, I remember I didn't really know your background and I didn't know, you know, the physical issues that you were going through, but I, I knew that you kept going through these crazy [00:02:00] surgeries and we would kind of joke around with each other, you know?'cause at that point, you know, I had had a couple back surgeries and some knee surgeries, and so we would. We would kid each other a little bit about that, me not knowing to the full extent of what you were really going through. Um, but not only did we know each other when I met Michael, you got a chance to meet my wife and, um, you got a chance to know her a little bit.Tell me about that relationship.Leigh Ann: Um, I was really blessed. To know her, I got to know her personality from the very first time I met her. She was just man, full of energy and light and just, just that encouragement that she immediately gave me and she didn't know me at all. Um, but she just kind of knew I had some medical issues and.She just kept asking me like, how are you and how do you [00:03:00] deal with that? And she was just so genuine. You could tell she meant it and she really cared and she, she just, no matter what she was going through before cancer, after cancer, she asked me when she was literally getting ready to go on her deathbed and just still asking how I was doing and that.I will never forget that because that just meant so much to me and incredible wish I could have known her a little bit better actually, but I'm just really thankful for the time that I did get with her.Curtis: Yeah, she, she left quite the testimonyLeigh Ann: she did.Curtis: man, it's a hard act to follow.Leigh Ann: It is really hard to follow that, but man to the hard just. That motto of hers. I, I don't know anybody that has heard that, that that didn't touch them, because you just don't think [00:04:00] about running to the hard.Nobody wants to run to the hard, but when you do, you just get what Michael was trying to tell us all. So,Curtis: that's why we keep doing this. Um, this is hard,Leigh Ann: yes.Curtis: but at the same time it's not that hard. You know what I mean? And, and it's always about putting life into perspective. Like I. That was hard. This is hard, but it's not that hard, which is why you're my hero. Like I used to whine. I still do. When like right now, you and I, we live in the same neighborhood.It's cold out, it went from 70 degrees to 30 and like my back's killing me,Leigh Ann: Yeah. It's a little hard on the body, especially when you got metal in it, so.Curtis: And so I, I find myself whimpering around and kind of feeling sorry for myself 'cause everything hurts. And then I drive by your house and I always say to myself, but Leanne,Leigh Ann: OhCurtis: who has more screws and bolts and rods holding you together than [00:05:00] I'm.I mean, anybody on the planet. I mean, you've gotta be in the book of world record at the, at some point for all the screws and bolts that you have holding you together. I, and I know we're gonna get into that story, but before we do, I wanna back up because, you know, Josh and I, we kind of dove into his childhood.We dove into, you know, what it was like growing up without a dad. We dove into a mom that had to care for him. We dove into some of the. Rascal stuff that he got into as a teenager. And, and then of course you met him in his twenties, um, because he got a job working at the same place that your dad worked.And so I would like to start the, the story, the backstory there, like how and when did you meet Josh and tell us the, the weird part about he and dad.Leigh Ann: Yes. Okay. So, um. I had a really good [00:06:00] childhood. Um, my family was really, really close and you know, mom, dad, sister have always been my biggest supporters. And even before I went through this hard stuff, they have always been there. So, unlike Josh, I didn't really have the hard, you know, childhood. Mine just came later and, uh, but when I met Josh, we had both kind of been going through.A divorce and that was hard on us and that was before we knew, you know, God, and, and so it was just hard to get through. But I think because we went through such a similar thing. We just really connected and just kind of knew once we, we met each other that this is it. And it was scary because we had just gone through a divorce and so I think neither of us were ready to dive into it, a relationship again.But [00:07:00] we just knew. And so, um, so I met this guy, you know, with my dad. Dad was telling me I got this young guy I'm riding in the. Bandwidth and training him. And, and so my, my sister and I would always listen to like nineties alternative music and dad being a girl, dad was trying to be cool and keep up with like, you know, oh, that's Nirvana or Red Hot Chili Peppers, or.You know, and still to this day we joke about that, but Josh was listening to the same stuff at that time. And so my dad was like trying to impress this young guy and it was so funny. But they had a really tight bond. Um, they became kind of like father and son really. Um, got really, really close cracked jokes.You can imagine the laughter in that van. I'm sure there was a [00:08:00] lot. Um,Curtis: I've heard some of the jokes by the way.Leigh Ann: Yes, you have, so you know exactly what we're talking about. Um, but yeah, it was good. And it was good until he found out that this guy was interested in his daughter. So that got a little sketchy for a minute. And, um, just because he, he loved Josh.But he also knew some of the harder stuff, you know, with the alcohol and going to bars and, and those kind of things. So he was worried about his little girl naturally. So during that time when we were dating, it was really good for Josh and I, but for. My dad and I, I was always daddy's little girl, so it got a little bit, just tough in those moments.But my mom really, um, stepped up and became the middleman, um, a lot more than we knew, I think. But once [00:09:00] we got engaged, dad was kind of like, okay, I think they're good now, so I'm okay with it.Curtis: Yeah, at some point, at some point, dads have to kind of let go. That'sLeigh Ann: yes, yes, for sure.Curtis: hard for a dad to let go. I, whew. Yep. I get that part. So. Early marriage, you, you have to be excited about a new beginning, a fresh start. Um, maybe some family plans are starting to happen, but then.Leigh Ann: But then is exactly right. So I got started having major surgeries when I was 20. And those surgeries turned into multiple surgeries every year. Um, and I always had like growing pains when I was probably middle school would start getting more pains. That seemed a lot more [00:10:00] than growing pains, but the doctors kind of just said.She's tall, she's thin. It's just a growth spurt. She'll be okay. Um, and they dismissed everything. But once these surgeries became like reconstructive knee surgeries and having to reconstruct the whole foot because my arches collapsed, um,Curtis: At what age are those things happening?Leigh Ann: um, really at 20, the big knee surgery started and thenCurtis: And they literally said it was from quick growth and growth pains.Leigh Ann: Yes, that's all that nobody ever really put the pieces together and, and put it all as one big puzzle and connected the dots. They just kind of dismissed it as you're thin, you're tall, and that was it really. Um, so when I was 29, I had to have my first partial knee replacement. And it got messed up. [00:11:00] And so I had to go to Cleveland Clinic and I just happened to go to the guy that invented the metal that was in my knee, and he was incredible.But he's the one that kind of put the pieces together and said, yeah, you are tall and thin, but you're really flexible and you definitely have a connective tissue disease. I just don't know what you have. So he sent me to a geneticist, and that geneticist is the one that told me I have a condition called er Dan Low syndrome.Curtis: Had you ever heard of anything like that before?Leigh Ann: I never have heard anything even close to that, even connective tissue, like I just didn't know what any of it meant. So it was all very new and very scary at the time. So.Curtis: So explain to our audience that when your tendons and ligaments are literally falling off the bone, what does that do to your [00:12:00] structure?Leigh Ann: So a normal person, their tendons and ligaments should just kinda stretch like a rubber band, and then that rubber band should go back together. And with me, my tendons and ligaments are more like chewing gum. So they just keep stretching until they shred. And then your joint literally falls apart inside your body over time.So it can be dislocations like getting out of bed. You can slip a rib or roll your ankle or, and it sounds absolutely crazy, but it is so true and so. You'll wake up with a bruise one day and people will say like, what did you do? And I'm like, I don't know. Like, I really don't even know because it just happens and you're, um, it's not just like your ligaments and tendons.Um, it's anything you have collagen in because it's a collagen defect. So. [00:13:00] It is skin. It is your eyes. It is tendons, ligaments, it's organs. It's literally everything in your body. SoCurtis: Something also happened, you told me about that. You found out that it was genetic and your motherLeigh Ann: yes.Curtis: out.Leigh Ann: Yes. So I was 29. Like I said, when I found out, and my mom, obviously she had a lot of the same surgeries that I did, and pretty much around the same timeline in her life. So. She just always has been like a rock to me because she could, one, she taught me how to be tough through it. My mom's always been really strong and just pushed on and, and been happy and positive and, and so she's someone who inspired me and taught me how to be the way I am.So. [00:14:00] Um, but yeah, she was in her fifties when she finally got a diagnosis and things really started making a lot more sense to both of us, soCurtis: But between the two, you have deteriorated the quickest.Leigh Ann: yes, yes. Um, a lot more problems at a a younger age, um, especially with. Here recently, um, colon surgeries, and then I had to have brain surgery. Um, a lot more extensive neck surgeries. So I've had seven neck surgeries alone. Um, and the brain surgery was from a condition called Chiari malformation, which was caused by my LER Stanler syndrome.So.Curtis: I've seen pictures and we're gonna show some of those pictures to the audience, but I've seen some of your neck and head pictures with all the screws and bolts and everything holding you together. You, you told me to date you really [00:15:00] lost count of surgeries, but an estimated number of surgeries already.Leigh Ann: Yes, we are upwards of a hundred, if not over a hundred. Multiple, multiple, every single year. And when I think it's a year, I'm gonna get a break look out, something else happens. SoCurtis: A hundred surgeries.Leigh Ann: yes. Yeah.Curtis: You're my hero.Leigh Ann: Thank you.Curtis: I just, I don't know how you do it, but.Leigh Ann: A lot of people tell me that, and my answer to that is, I don't really have a choice,Curtis: Right,Leigh Ann: but my choice is I could either stay at home and stay in bed and just feel sorry for myself, or I can get up and realize that I've got a good life, still got a great husband, you know? Got a God that helps get me through all this, um, [00:16:00] great family and just really great support.SoCurtis: I just want everybody out there to know that. That's real. Like, I've never seen you without your hair done. I've never seen you without makeup. I've never seen, never seen you not dressed up. I've, in fact, when I first got to know you and you were even going through regular surgeries, you were on the greeting team at church, like you were out front greeting everybody with a smile Sunday, after Sunday, after Sunday.And I remember thinking to myself, I don't even think these people have a clue who they're shaking hands with and what you just went through like days ago, because you would have a surgery and then you'd show up to church, and my mind was just. How are you doing this?Leigh Ann: Yeah. Um, yeah, I know one of my surgeons told me that early on, just like when I said I still do my hair, my makeup, no matter how I feel. And he just said, [00:17:00] don't ever stop doing that. That'll keep you going. So I remembered that and stuck with me and, yeah. I don't like people to see what's wrong.And, and the more surgeries I get, the more evident things are that, you know, something's not quite right. Um, and we'll probably get into that, so, butCurtis: Well, I know even recently, this last year your, your mobility was such a hard thing for you because for the first time you couldn't turn your head and, and you're a hugger.Leigh Ann: yes.Curtis: a hugger, you're a H shaker. Like that's why you are a greeter because you love people. And I know that over this last year, some of these last surgeries have really hindered you.Two questions. One, I know there was a point over the last 10 years where, where you couldn't go to work anymore and, and you basically became home bound. I wanna talk about that for just a minute, but just kind of give us a little timeline.Leigh Ann: Um, [00:18:00] it was not long after my diagnosis, um, and I had gotten that diagnosis and then literally months later I had brain surgery. Um, so, and that was about the time we moved into our neighborhood and that was really when I had to decide that pretty much my surgeon said, you cannot work. Um. You're, if anybody has a reason not to, it's you.Um, he had known everything I've been through, so I had a lot of support going into that too. But it was hard to be 30 and just know that I don't have a career. Um, kind of decided not to have children because I just didn't want to see my child go through this. Um. My mom, you know, has always told me that she's sorry and absolutely not her fault at all, but it is [00:19:00] genetic and I know how she's felt, so I just didn't wanna do that either.Um, so, you know, lost, you know, having children lost that, lost my job, um, through this. And, and so even though this. Podcast is about grief. I'm not really grieving somebody, but I'm grieving my health, you know, so that, that's why, you know, this podcast truly sticks with me because you can grieve in so many different ways.ButCurtis: You cantell me about Josh.Leigh Ann: Josh is. Another just huge blessing in my life. Um, our first marriage, like we said, they, they just weren't great and they ended in a, a very, very common way. Um, so similar that it just, I don't think we'll ever take each other for granted because we [00:20:00] knew. What it was like to to live differently. Um, but he has just always been really caring, really funny, really supportive.And going through this, you know, we were young when we got married. I didn't have all these problems and so he really took our wedding vows. Seriously and still has. Um, there are times where people remind me that, you know how fortunate I am to have somebody that stands by my side through this, and you know that a lot of men wouldn't.And as hard as that is to hear, you know, um, because you just feel like, man, you're so messed up that. He could just walk out. And I've even told him, I wouldn't blame you if you did before, you know, but man, he just, he never has given that a thought, ever. And [00:21:00] yeah,Curtis: know. That's not even a thought in his head.Leigh Ann: he's just really, he is a, a good, good man in so many ways.And, and once we both, you know, accepted God and, and we just grew even closer and it's just. I'm really blessed.Curtis: The one thing that I appreciate about the two of you is that you know. We see people come and go through church. We see people find, find Christ, get excited, and then something happens and they, you know, sometimes they just shy away or go away or, or it didn't stick. And, and the thing about the two of you is ever since I've known you, man, when you found God, it was, it was life changingLeigh Ann: Yeah.Curtis: and you can't help but see the presence of God all over you.Leigh Ann: Thank you.Curtis: For somebody who gets up every day and does what you do, it's, it's one of the inspirations. You [00:22:00] know, you talked about Michael and how she inspired you, that even going through such a short bit of cancer and dying so quickly, you know how she inspired you, but, but you do this. Day after day, after week, after week, after month, after month, and now you're into years.Leigh Ann: Yeah.Curtis: And, and, and I, you know, I think about what I had to go through for one hard month. I mean, it was a month, one month of absolute tragedy.Leigh Ann: Yeah.Curtis: And, and I think about what that did to me. And how hard that was. And so I just want people, I want people to hear me when I talk about Josh and when I talk about you, that only God can sustain.And, and Josh is the real deal. He loves you, like he loves you and cares for you, but, but I [00:23:00] also believe a hundred percent that that's God working in and through him. Year after year. You know, you can depend on him and he is gonna be there. I don't know, ILeigh Ann: Yeah.Curtis: I'm introducing you to the world for the first time.You know, some people don't know us at all and they're gonna see this, and I want them to know how special you guys are because of Christ. I.Leigh Ann: Yeah. Well, thank you. Um, like you said, we did life without Christ and. Hardships and lots of big surgeries and lived in a different home at that time. Lived in town and you know, my family came over. My sister especially was kind of like a caretaker. She's just got that personality. Um, so they would always help with meals and stuff like that, but we just didn't have a church and this neighborhood is our church and.We went through all the the big, big things [00:24:00] without God and man, it's so different when you have God in it. So it's just once you have that, it's no matter what you're going through, if you let that go, that's just devastating. So,Curtis: I think about this because, you know, I've had a few surgeries and I know pain is such a big thing. I'm a baby. I'm just gonna flat out tell you I'm a baby. Like I hate pain, I don't like it. And you know, some of my family might even say, yep, dad's a baby,Leigh Ann: yeah,Curtis: but I can't help but ask you a hundred surgeries.You're pinned and needle together. Like, tell me about pain. Tell me about pain meds, because we know. JI mean, just watch the news. We know pain meds destroys people's lives and we know the addiction and we know those things. And so I don't know, there might be a listener out there who's saying, you know, what about that help?[00:25:00] Help us a little bit. I.Leigh Ann: Yeah. Um, so when I got diagnosed, I, I had already been in pain for quite a few years, so they kind of sent me to a rheumatologist to help get me on a regimen that could help me at least sleep at night and be comfortable during the day. But I was very clear with them. I didn't want narcotics just because you know, you, it's so easy to get hooked and I'm already on them enough for surgery, so.As soon as I can get off of 'em, I do. Um, but there's things like, you know, um, nerve meds like gabapentin and muscle relaxers and um, anti-inflammatories. Those help me through the day a lot. Um, we have had addiction on both sides of my family and that was just a trail I didn't wanna go down. So yeah, we try to do all we can, but the most important thing.[00:26:00] People hear this from doctors, but it is keep moving. And so, you know, people see us walking in the neighborhood a lotCurtis: Every nightLeigh Ann: that's what we do. We keep moving. So yeah, it, it really does make a difference. So.Curtis: Tell me about the realization of, of what this is. You have a relationship with God, but then. Do you ever doubt God? Are you ever angry at God? Tell me, tell me the mentality of how you work through that.Leigh Ann: Um, being a new Christian 10 years ago, there were questions like, why, you know, why do I have to go through this? And, but, um, you know, the Bible does say that we're, we'll be persecuted if we're Christians and, and we all go through hard times and it's not encouraging to hear. If you're not going through a hard time, [00:27:00] you will, but it's so true, and I don't doubt God ever.Um, I did question the why's and everything, but, but then when we see that even Jesus came into this world and, and he was persecuted and look at the pain he went through. So I know if God could, you know, stop it and I know he can. He would. Um, I think there's a reason I'm going through this and I really feel like using my voice, going into doctors and just trying to be a light to people, um, I feel like that's my purpose and, and, you know, we can take the bad and make good out of it, just like scripture says, and I just truly believe in that.And I, I know God's with me every step of the way, so.Curtis: Some of the things that have motivated you, I know. Getting up every day, [00:28:00] doing your hair, doing your makeup, being, I mean just being you, but also know that you've reached out to some people and tried to mentor and, and help talk, talk to me 'cause I know that's part of your motivation as well.Leigh Ann: Yeah. Um, there's just things that, you know, when you, you do have to give up things like work and having a family and stuff like that. I did struggle with what. You know, my purpose was, and I just heard one time on a podcast that our purpose is to let God love us. That is our first purpose. So anybody that feels like they don't have a purpose, you already do.It's built in you. So that stuck with me, but um, I just have a heart for young girls and. Just kinda wish that I would've had this growing up in my life. I didn't really have too many, you know, adult women that, other than my mom. And, and that [00:29:00] really took the time to spend time with. And, um, but I just, I think because of my past, especially with my divorce at a young age, and just having someone to sit down and care and talk with you, um.I wish I would've had that. And so I've really taken in a lot of these young, young women in our neighborhood and anybody going through a hard time, some outside of our neighborhood, and I just really have a heart to just, just be here for them. Not even someone that necessarily gives them advice, but if they want some, I will definitely help with that, but, and someone to pray with them, most of all.So. It has really blessed me as, as much as I hope it's blessed them,Curtis: It has. I knowLeigh Ann: I've got Yes, you do.Curtis: they look, they look forward to their little coffee dates withLeigh Ann: Yes, yes. Yeah. [00:30:00] Yeah. I love it. So lifelong relationships there too, so it's, it's been awesome.Curtis: Oh, I have, I have some tougher questions and I'm struggling to get them outLeigh Ann: It on me, Curtis.Curtis: I know, I know. I just, I think people, I think people are understanding the weight of your story,Leigh Ann: Mm-hmm.Curtis: but, but there are some heavier subjects, you know. You have a husbandLeigh Ann: Yeah.Curtis: and cares for you. You have a, a, a terrible disease that ultimately your body is going to fail.Like, how do you, let me, let me back up. I did. I had one month I. I don't know if it's better to just get it over with quick or have to do the long term. That's the struggle I have in my head, and that's the hard, that's the [00:31:00] hard question I'm struggling to get out, is like, how do you grapple with that you and your husband, day after day, week after week, month after month?Leigh Ann: Um, of course when I was younger and new into this, it was just kind of like a knee surgery and that would keep you out of it, you know, things for a month or so. And then as these surgeries got bigger and, and like you had mentioned where I, I can no longer turn my head left to right. Um. It is becoming more clear that this is getting a lot worse as I age and it's taken away driving and, and things like that.Independence that has been really, really hard the last couple years. Um, so for us as a couple, I think. I, I don't know how many times we just say we're ready for Jesus to come back because we know when he does, there will be no more surgeries, no more pain, and we'll still be together in heaven. You know?[00:32:00] Um, those are the things that we kind of look forward to. Now, I know it may sound morbid, but. It's not morbid at all. It is a dream, honestly. So those are the, the ways that we look at it really. Um, but it is hard because like you said, sometimes if it's a cancer sentence, I don't mean for this to be at all, um, I guess I, I don't want it to come across that way. But when you do get cancer, you either. Survive it, you're in remission or unfortunately you pass away. And like you said, sometimes quick and easy. It's never quick and easy, but at least you're not gonna have to live through agony after, you know, year after year, after year.Um, so that is hard for [00:33:00] me. That has been a really hard battle.Curtis: Heavenly perspective though you just gave it, because I've talked about that before because Michael helped the, the kids and I with that heavenly perspective, like, you know, that was such a hard and fast, tragic event. She left such a great testimony of, I'm going to heaven, guys. Like, don't be sad for me.Like, like I'm going to heaven. And, and, and then I remember, you know, I mean, selfishly wanting to go with her,Leigh Ann: Yeah. Yeah, I get that, that, yeah,Curtis: it changes everything.Leigh Ann: it does. Yeah. It, it just makes everything better. It takes, takes those hard things we don't wanna face and just makes it a promise.Curtis: Hmm. [00:34:00] You said something a little bit ago, you said, I haven't lost somebody yet, but it still feels like grief. I'm grieving. My life, my independence, my health, my relation, you know what I mean?Leigh Ann: Yeah.Curtis: talk about that a little bit more because I know it's not just one piece. It's, it's, it's, it's a future. Leigh Ann: Yeah. Um, and even Josh, as far as that goes, I know he didn't sign up for this, you know, and when people do get married. They just don't think sickness and in health is gonna happen when you're 30 years old and, and continue to, to get worse and, and so, you know, it is hard and it is definitely a grievance and something that I am challenged with, [00:35:00] especially.Each milestone I get, you know, just thinking like, what's 50 gonna be like if 40, you know, I can't turn my head and things are gonna keep getting worse and what else is gonna go wrong? But that's where you have to try and just give it to God. And I struggle with leaving it there. Um, but. It's, I just try my hardest to just focus on what I do have and, you know, knowing that I have a, a God by my side and that I'm not the only one that struggled with these thoughts, you know, as in Paul thought about take Thorn outta my side, you know, Lord.And so it's comforting to know that I'm not alone there. You know, that there are other people going through things and. You know, the way Michael did, did get through hers and the attitude that she had, that inspired me too. Because even at the end she's asking, [00:36:00] am I dying? Well, you know, I want, I wanna be like that.So, yeah.Curtis: I have two questions for you. Um, you know. We know a lot of people who have gotten cancer. We know a lot of people who have even passed away from our local church in recent years. And, and um, so you have that person who just received their death sentence, who just received their news. I want you to talk to that person.I want you to tell them. What you've had to do and experience because you know God. And then there's the other group, there's the Josh's, the caretakersLeigh Ann: Okay.Curtis: speak life into 'em 'cause, 'cause we have two different groups and you're in such a unique position to be able to talk to both because you live it every day.Leigh Ann: Yeah, that's a little tough one there, Curtis.Curtis: I know.Leigh Ann: [00:37:00] Yeah. Um, well, to the person that just received those hard, hard words, I would first just say, take a moment and try to let it sink in, you know, because. That's really hard in itself. But I would also say if you don't know the Lord, try to get to know him as quick as you can because that is gonna help you through every path you go down with this whole journey. Um, and the quicker you get to know him, the better things get. Doesn't mean it's gonna get easier, just means. You have someone by your side 24 7, and you know that Jesus died on the cross for us and went through all that pain and agony so that we one day do not have to [00:38:00] suffer and, and go through things that let that promise get you through every single hard moment that you have.And just hold on to that and just remember when you're going through something hard, what he went through for you, for me, for us. Um, and just take. What comes good with that too, like the church, the community of people that you get because you're a believer in Christ and let them be by your side. Um, it's not always easy.You don't want people to see your weaknesses or the ugly that comes along with some of this. Let them, because you're gonna need them and. It is so much better to have that community because again, Josh and I didn't have that before, and it [00:39:00] has been life changing to have that support, um, and then to the caretaker, don't give up and make sure that you're getting the help and support that you need because you're going through it.Just as much, if not more, because you have to sit and watch someone you love, decline and deteriorate. And, but the other thing I can say as not the caretaker, but you know, someone that is getting care. My dad has always been great with my mom, so I've watched not only her be strong and positive, but I've seen how it is too.You know how you should be treated when you're going through these things, but you know, not everybody's fortunate enough to have that. But as the person that is, you know, with the caretaker, you have to [00:40:00] remember to be good to them when you're going through it because it's easy to be grouchy or you know, um.But be good to them. Be thankful. Let them know how much you appreciate them, how much you love them, how lucky you are that they're still with you and those things. And, and try to try to get out and do things together still, like, make sure you make date nights or, you know, Josh and I just love to go for rides or walks or, you know, just talk and communicate and just.Those things are really important. You have to know that they have needs and wants to, and it's really important to remember that. So,Curtis: That's so good. Michael would try to explain. This run to the hard mantra to me when I was dating her, you know, she would, she would try to help me understand, um, but it took her laying in a hospital bed for me to [00:41:00] finally get it. That when we put ourselves in a position to run into, the hardest thing that we've ever been through is where God's gonna come in and meet us and doLeigh Ann: Yeah.Curtis: the biggest work.Leigh Ann: Yeah.Curtis: And you just said it. Yeah.Leigh Ann: Yeah,Curtis: Yeah.Leigh Ann: I will say, you know, you hear perseverance and, and those things just, you get strength and you don't know how much strength you have until you go through stuff, and, and that's also true. And I. I wouldn't wish this on anybody, but I also don't know that I'd be the same without it. So I just try to look at each day.As you know, I've made a lot of great friends. I've got a great community, and most of all, you [00:42:00] know, I have a God that loves me and, and helps me through it, and I'm, not gonna be. The Leanne I ever was, but I will be Leanne in heaven without pain one day and that is what I hold onto every day.Curtis: Amen. Yep. Yeah. Well, I had to have you come on because you inspire me every day. Every time you walk around this neighborhood and walk past my windows, I am like, man, I got nothing to complain about. And I wanted you to inspire somebody else because everybody has a story.Leigh Ann: Yes,Curtis: Everybody's going through somethingLeigh Ann: forCurtis: and if, you know, the death of Michael has done one thing for sure in my life and that has opened my eyes,Leigh Ann: Yes.Curtis: blinders are off.Everybody [00:43:00] has a story and everybody's going through something and, and, um, our story can impact and help somebody. And,Leigh Ann: I, I agree.Curtis: so I would keep doing this.Leigh Ann: Yes. I'm glad, glad to be a part of it, so thank you for the opportunity.Curtis: I am gonna ask you to do something.Leigh Ann: Okay,Curtis: I've already asked you hard questions, so would you pray us out of this podcast,Leigh Ann: sure.Curtis: pray for that person who just found out the worst news? Maybe pray for that caretaker. I don't know. I didn't have it in, I didn't have it in my notes, but you know, you inspire me. I don't want somebody else to be inspired.Leigh Ann: Thank you Curtis. we just thank you for this day and we thank you for this opportunity to share our stories and, and just hopefully be a light to somebody, Lord. And [00:44:00] we just pray for the person that just got the bad news, Lord. And. No matter what that be, Lord, just let that person know that you're with them.Let them feel your presence. Let them feel your love. Let them know that there is an eternity waiting of, of gifts and just good things, no pain, no matter what kind of pain it is, Lord. And we just pray also that you be with the caretaker. Just Lord, keep them strong and give them the strength to watch their loved one.Go through this. them encouraged, Lord. Let them feel that presence and just continue to, to lift them up and encourage 'em through the hard days. Lord, give them community and a church Lord that loves them, father, and we just pray, Lord, that you can just. Let [00:45:00] them have a chance to share their story like this Lord, and, and help other people in the same way that that this podcast has helped so many people, Lord, and we pray that you continue to be with Curtis and Michael's story.Father and what a blessing they have been to other people, Lord, and just pray. These stories continue to carry on for a very long time and help others through it until we're all together and your presence. Father. Father, we thank you again for all that you do, and we just ask that you bless people through the rest of this week.In Jesus' name we pray, amen.Curtis: Amen. Thank you, Leanne.Leigh Ann: Yep. Thank you, Curtis.[00:46:00]

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