The Post I Don't Want to Write

Michelle had laproscopic surgery yesterday to identify exactly what is wrong with her digestive system. The news is about as bad is it gets. The cancer has spread through her abdomen, with thin sheets of tissue attaching to the inner wall of her abdomen, running through and coating the intestines, making it impossible for the muscular action of the intestines (paristalsis) to move the food through her system. For all intents and purposes, her digestive system is completely shut down. This explains why she can't keep any solid food down . The cancer is inoperable and impossible to treat with the current state of medicine.

We met today with a hospice consultant to start the process of setting up hospice care in our home. We will rent a hospital bed, wheelchair, and other equipment and focus all our efforts on keeping Michelle comfortable. She is not expected to survive more than a few weeks.

Once we have her home and settled, I'll post information about the prayer meeting we are planning.

Michelle's parents and sisters are converging on Fort Collins as we speak, and should all arrive sometime tomorrow. Chris has taken a few days off and came down from the mountains to be with us. He'll probably return there on Thursday or Friday. I have taken a leave of absence from work for as long as necessary. Kelly is continuing to work part time at Target (baking!) and still lives at home with us.

Thank you for all the prayers, cards, flowers, and loving messages you've sent. They really help to lift us up in these trying days.

We are so very thankful for God's Grace that has kept Michelle alive and fighting this terrible disease for longer than anyone ever expected. She fought successfully for more than 3 times the mean survival time, and that alone is a miracle. We are very grateful for the extra year we've had to spend together, knowing all the time that the end was approaching.