On Sunday the hospice doctor came for a visit. He was a breath of fresh air as he was focused on Michael's life, not his death. He encouraged Michael to eat so that he would gain strength. He also offered to do a little procedure on Michael's finger. This is the finger that has been infected since November. Michael was apprehensive about that offer, but has since decided to allow the doctor to treat his finger. Later this week, Dr. F will return for that. He also recommended that Michael resume taking the steroid he had been on since early January. We had discontinued this the last time we saw Dr. K on his recommendation that Michael discontinue all medications. Well, Dr. F said it was beneficial for lung function and for appetite. He increased the dosage a bit so that Michael would get more benefit from it. One of the things Dr. F mentioned to me that gave me a renewed sense of hope is that all cancers have a 3-7% chance of spontaneous remission. He says he has witnessed it himself. I did not solicit that information from him in any way, and Michael was doing so poorly at the time that I didn't think he could make it much longer. So, that bit of information gave my hope a big boost.
Yesterday Michael had a bath in bed. Our home health aide got him all cleaned up and she shaved his scruffy stubble, too. Now I can have scratch-free kisses from him. I know a lot of men have fantasies about getting a sponge bath from a cute nurse, but Michael would tell you that it's not all it's cracked up to be. He would prefer to get in the shower and do it himself. Hopefully he will continue to feel stronger and we can go back to doing things that way.
Please join us in prayer around three o'clock this afternoon if possible. We are having two pastors come to pray over Michael at that time. In your prayers, please stand in agreement with us for Michael's complete healing.
Is any sick among you? Let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; and the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up, and if he has committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.
James 5:14
18 comments:
You are a pillar of strength, grace and dignity. Michael is a lucky husband...and you are a lucky wife. So glad to hear that the sun is shining a bit brighter in your house :)
Prayers are for you!!!!! Love the awesome report today.
Blessings to you both!!
Yay! great new. I'm so happy that Michael is able to get out of bed and do some stuff. All things are possible with God!
PTL! It's so wonderful to hear good news! I'll be driving to pick up my girls from school at 3:00 pm and I'll be saying a little prayer for you and Michael in my car.
:::hugs:::
Donna
Our Blog: Double Happiness!
How wonderful to hear that he had a better day today. And that hospice doctor of yours sounds like a great person to have on your team. Hope he contiues to feel a little better and have some hope.
Great news!!! Just prayed, better late than never. xoxoxoxox
Lifting Michael and you up in prayer.
Encouraging Words
I enjoyed visiting your blog
God Bless;
http://westbob.blogspot.com/2010/02/encourager-part-1.html
THIS IS GREAT NEWS! THE PRAYERS ARE WORKING AND GOD IS ALWAYS FAITHFUl! We are rootin for you and that pancake was good too :)
Oh sweet respite! Your hospice doctor sounds like a peach, and to focus on what matters? wonderful! life, having, love, healing...
I will be holding you in my thoughts, with love and joy.
Kate
It's all about hope and faith. You've got both and a ton of people holding both for you as well.
Joannah, I came across your blog last Friday. I feel as if you and Micheal are a blessing from God. A true testament to faith. I am so happy to read this post today and even though I missed the 3:00 prayer hour, please know you are both in my prayers.
Wanda
Wonderful news!! All our hopes, dreams and prayers are with you!!!
Joannah, my sister sent me the link to your blog today. I just wanted to share my father-in-laws faith with you. His name is Hugh Smiley and he was diagnosed with a very aggressive form of esophagus cancer. The cancer had spread all over his esophagus and was almost to his heart when they found it. It was entirely to large to consider taking it out. He was given chemo around the clock 24/7 for 4 mths. Then next radiation. It did shrink about a third but was still there. A very dear friend of mine asked if her pastor could pray over Hugh and annoint him with oil. Let me tell you I have never experienced the healing power God has until that day he prayed with Hugh and us as we all held hands. It was a powerful feeling in that room that day. I could feel the presence of God there with us. I believe that God can heal. We all knew it could be done if it was His will. We had Faith and more importantly, Hugh put his Faith in God. One month later and another scan with a biopsy God revealed Himself to us! My father-in-law has NO cancer, Praise God. Keep your faith and believe there are blessings awaiting you and your family. I will be keeping Michael in my prayers.
Carolyn, thank you for sharing that. Praise God for his incredible mercies and power to heal our diseases! Wow!
Today was very special. I could feel God speaking to us through the experiences Pastor Tom shared with us. We are standing in faith and eagerly awaiting the day that Michael's healing is revealed to us.
:)
I am praying for Michael's healing. How wonderful to hear God speaking to you.
Joannah, I have been following your blog for quite some time. I haven't had the right words to say and so I've been quietly praying for your family. This post made me feel like praying really works! So I'll keep you in my thoughts and prayers every day!
i had wanted to comment yesterday on this but my computer was giving me problems. THIS IS AWESOME NEWS! THE PRAYERS ARE WORKING! I was so encouraged to hear this! Prayed for you both today around 11:20 am your time as well!
xoxo
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