Mikey! that's awesome.

gotta sit, then stand, then walk my friend.

you can do this!

what is a number...fifteen percent? what is that number? maybe only fifteen percent of people with this survive IF THEY DON'T DO A DAD BLAME THING ELSE...BUT YOU WILL MIKE..

you can increase this by:
good diet
eating really healthy foods
prayer (which we'll do for you)
positive thought
being darn stubborn

my grandma beat a horrid stroke...it slowed her up a little...but here's her little secret. when people ask how she did it she says, "I WAS MORE STUBBORN THAT IT WAS".

period.

so be stubborn.

and we're praying.

eat antioxidants. lots of them. however you can.

and remember...chemo/radiation kills healthy tissues as well as cancerous ones. that's why you gotta keep yourself up. eat right. give healthy tissues a chance to fight back.

had a pet scan yet for staging? does your hospital do pet scans? we do this in my profession. metabolic imaging basically.

Update 1/31/06

Prayers do get answered!!! Michael's throat cancer is GONE!!!!! Hallelujah!!!! <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> However, he's not out of the woods yet. He is getting a bed sore from laying so much so exercise will be important. But, it's kind of a catch 22. He is too weak to get out of bed. His weight is continually dropping. Per the doctor, this is probably due to the medication he's on. They are going to try a different med, unsure of the name, to see if that works. He is alert, somewhat, but still has trouble talking. The more positive thoughts we can send him the better!!! I believe, with the Lord Almighty's help, & the prayers & positive thoughts that continue to come his way, he is improving. Let's make this miracle happen!

Now, he does have a mass in his lungs. Once he gains his weight, the doctors can concentrate on attacking that. But, the important thing is, that Michael is coming back to us, albeit slowly. Mike, you can do this!!!! We love you & miss you & hope to talk verbally w/you again as soon as possible. And yes, NightStalker does like old men w/no teeth (inside joke MBers). Just some humor for you Mike. We love to hear you laugh, or try to at this stage.

Michael,
I haven't posted but have prayed for you daily. (+ put you on the nun's prayer list...I work at Catholic hospital)

Change your position as much as possible to relieve pressure from the bedsore site. Your wife can gently massage (not on the wound its self) around the wound and general area to increase blood flow to help healing. Pressure sores take a long time to heal. Good nutrition and hydration is also imprtant.

You will remain in my prayers.

ST, thanks for the update. Mike is on our church prayer list as well.

Praise God!!!!!!

You keep fighting and we'll keep praying Mike!

Bless you.

In the name of Jesus!

S&C

Not much to report here today. Just that Michael continues to improve. At this rate, he might get to come home soon! Wouldn't that be grand?!!! Per Cindy's request, I would like to put a call out to all those who would like to send Mike some get well cards. The plan is to bombard him w/cards to show how much he's cared for & thought about. If anyone is interested, please e-mail me at thirteenyrs@yahoo.com & we can coordinate sending him cards so as to respect their privacy w/address information & things like that.

A big thank you comes from Cindy in all that you continue to do for Michael. The family is being hit hard financially, but hopefully with the donation fund, we can turn this around quickly for them. As always, thank you all for your generosity, concern & prayers. It's greatly appreciated.

{{{{{Mike & Cindy & kids}}}}}

Mike's a fighter - in every way a victor! Major admiration and kudos! And prayers continuing for all!

ST, you have mail.

Got it FF. Check yours!!! <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

Last month I wrote a letter to my husband and sealed it for him to read when he returned home . I opened the Letter late last night and decided to re-write this letter. After reading through all of your prayers and kind words I feel I should put my letter to my husband on here. A place he believes in and filled with people that know and love him.


Michael,

You were always a strong person in spirit and I wanted to write this letter to you many times but never had the courage, So today I decided to sit down and put my feelings in a place you believe in.Do you remember the first time we met? It was in early October and you were home on leave visiting your family,I was across the street helping my Aunt clean her yard and I rememeber just how handsome you looked in your uniform. Do you remember walking across the street and hugging my Aunt? My Aunt introduced us and you winked at me and at that very moment you owned my heart and soul.

The day we were married was the most wonderful day of my life. This coming Febuary 12th will be are 12th year together. I keep hoping you will be home on our 12th anniversary it's a day I want to share with you and let you know just how much you have given me over the years.

You always found strength in places I never looked and you always found faith where I always saw none. I can still see the tears in your eyes from all of the hurt I caused you and I'll never forget the words you spoke to me the day you confronted me with my lies. You told me that you will always be here for me and that this event will never change a promise made.

For some reason my mind takes me back to so many events in our life together. I still see that look in your eyes the first time you held our Daughter and I can hear the words you spoke so softly in her ear, You told her that you will always be there for her and that no being will come between you and your princess. You left four day's later for some far away country not able to tell me where or even why. As the years went on you left many times and soon you were leaving behind not just me but our three children. I never told you this but I was always proud of who you were. You were always our Soldier and my Hero.I loved you so much and today that love is even stronger. You never gave up on me not once, you believed in me.Michael you were always the strongest and you always made me feel safe. Now its my turn.

I promise to always be here for you and I will never let your hand go.You are my Knight in shinning Armor. Please don't give up,don't let this be the end of a wonderful life together.I will be at your side when you open your eye's and I will be there when you close them.

Your children need you and want you back home with them. We need you. Taryn needs her father to be there for her first Dance this June. She wants you, her father to be her date for her dance.

Ryan is being the man around the house and he misses you so much, He reads to Cody every night like you used to. He tells Cody all the time that Dad will be home soon to read to him.

Cody sleeps on your side of the bed and tells me that he is keeping your side of the bed warm and he won't let anyone drink out of your coffee cup. He sleeps with your Army shirt.

I wish I could say I sleep but I don't, I lie awake most nights thinking of us and how much we need you here with us. I pray every night at your bedside. I know you want to give up and I hope that my being there for you gives you the strength you need. You have so many people that love you and need you.

I promise Michael, to always he here for you and I promise to always love you.


Love Always,
The Wife
XOXOXO

Hugs and big, big smiles to both of you!

Cindy,

That letter was so touching. Michael will have tears in his eyes, I'm sure. You both have come such a long way since we first met. I am so proud of both of you.

Cindy

Your letter to Michael is so heartwarming. You two are lights for us all in the middle of the darkness.

I pray for you both daily. I have even put Michael our our churchs and sunday schools prayer list.

I feel a kinship to you both and your family. You both are wonderful people and have much to offer everyone.

We are all pulling for you both.

WOL

Just wanted to let all of you know that this is the end for Michael. When he is on his medication, he improves. But he had to be taken off 2 of them b/c he just cannot afford them & plus, he wants it this way. He & Cindy just want his pain to end. It looks like he will not reach the weight he needed to gain in order to go to the next phase of treatment. He is not doing well at all.

It is so hard to watch a friend slowly deteriorate. I can imagine Cindy's pain & the children. Michael seems to be at peace. He has grown such a love for the Lord & I have no doubt that he will be one of God's soldiers when he enters those pearly gates.

We all love you dearly, Michael.

What sad sad news. I will say a prayer for his family. TT

BUMP

Very, very sad news....but thank you for keeping us updated, ST.

Lori

Thanks for bumping this. I missed it. ST, please tell Mike and Cindy how sorry we are and they are continually in our thoughts and prayers.

Mike and Cindy,

My heart breaks for you both, but I also celebrate Mike's soon to be homecoming with The Lord. Cindy, your love for him and how you have been caring for him is a true model of love to us all. My prayers, (and if I could be there) my hugs to you both and your children.

Go in peace Mike. You are about to join a much greater Army than you could have ever imagined. Just remember the Lord is will be waiting on you there.

Love in Christ to all of your family and you.

WOL

Bump for an update. Any word from Cindy about Mike. ????

Prayers still going up.

WOL