Colwell Family

story time!

2008-09-28T10:18:00.000-07:00

i'm here to ask for those michael stories i know you've been thinking about. i have received some (which have been so great to read), but i know there are a lot more out there! so get those pens out or start typing and send them to me please:)! i never gave a time frame, but am hoping to start working on putting them together soon. it's going to be such an amazing finished product. it will be a true treasure for me and especially the boys! michael had such an incredible impact on SO many and i want his boys to know that! thanks for helping make this happen!

also please include a picture of yourself or your family if possible so i can show the boys all the people their daddy loved!

disney was GREAT!

2008-09-28T09:58:00.000-07:00

we went to disney two weeks ago! thanks to some VERY generous friends the boys and i along with my sister got to spend five days in florida! it was amazing! it was wonderful having erin there (thanks gail and jerrel for watching eliana and harper). the four of us had a great time together making some more amazing memories. the boys loved all the rides. noah was tall enough to ride lots more this time and kaleb was even tall enough for space mountain. and he rode it! he was so brave! we got to see many characters too!
now it's back to the real world! it was a fun escape and much needed one. life seems to move too fast some times, so it was nice to slow down and truly enjoy each other. we are all still enjoying school and doing well. this fall will be busy with school stuff, clemson games and some visits from family!
thanks for your continued support and prayers! we still need them and appreciate them!

school starts!

2008-08-20T06:22:00.000-07:00

i can't believe that i have a kindergartener! wow! it is official- kaleb is in big school! he started last monday and hasn't stopped since. i woke him up at 6:30 the first three days of school and since then he's been up on his own (including saturday and sunday - which we'll have to work on). last monday morning he hopped on the bus just as big as he could be. i am SO proud of him and continue to be. noah and i walk kaleb to the bus stop every morning, which is only one house over and then sit under our willow tree waiting for the bus to drop him back off after school. kaleb seems to be loving it. he doesn't say a whole lot but every now and then he shares a little sneak peak of his day.
noah started his 3's preschool class last monday too. he is doing great. he's already earned three trips to the treasure box! it's been a little strange and much more quiet as i've only been driving noah to preschool. it gives us some special one on one time that noah and i have never gotten. i think it works out well and noah probably could use some focused attention these days.
my new class of pre-k kids is going good too. i have 8 girls and 2 boys. that's alot of bows and dresses in my room! something different, but good!
i am totally busy with all our schools and being mom. i don't think i've ever been as tired as i am these past two weeks (worse than pregnancy and that was tough). it's been a physical and emotional drain. i have missed michael alot this past week. i know he would be SO proud of kaleb. school was always a big deal to michael, i think he even changed his middle name to it after two masters degrees and the dream of more. i remind kaleb and noah how proud daddy is, even from heaven.
i am so thankful school is going so great for all of us! God is amazing in his mercy and grace! i trust in Him to take care of it all! He has so far and i don't doubt He'll ever stop!

summer fun!

2008-08-20T06:04:00.000-07:00

hi friends!
it has been a fun and busy summer! thanks for being patient with me as i haven't blogged in a couple months. hopefully with the routine of school and work starting i'll get better!
this summer was full of fun little trips. we spent some time at my sister's house in summerville, sc, the beach, the whole brietzke/peters family took a trip to tennessee, and we had lots of weekend visitors, like grammie and papa! we celebrated kaleb's fifth birthday in june - i can't believe he's that old!
overall, we are doing well. the boys are enjoying life, just like michael would have wanted! they miss their daddy and talk about him a little bit. i miss him too! we are still so grateful to be surrounded by amazing family and friends who continually support and encourage us! with them and of course, our big God we are moving forward, remembering the great memories we have and being thankful for what we also have now.
please continue to pray for us as i know that helps so much!

Running for Cover

2008-06-13T07:54:00.000-07:00

isn't this amazing. we are truly being loved on from so many different people and even those we don't know. i've been in email contact with angie bowbliss (who started this event last year) since last summer after reading about the event last summer. it's been great to have someone who is truly walking through the same things to share with. this year angie wants to donate some of the money raised to our family. wow! one of the awards given out at the ceremony will also be named in michael's honor. another wow! i continue to be overwhelmed by the generosity of so many. i just wanted to let you know about the event and if any one wants to participate that would be great too! i'll be there!

Running for Cover At South Forsyth High School

THIRD ANNUAL 5K RUN / 1 MILE WALK

The second annual Running for Cover - Atlanta will be held at South Forsyth High School in Cumming, GA. The Atlanta event was started in 2007 after Pete Bowbliss was diagnosed in 2005 with malignant melanoma. We are dedicated to raising awareness regarding the importance of sunscreen and skin care in the prevention of melanoma and other skin cancers. We also realize the importance of assisting families locally that have been effected by terminal melanoma. When: Sunday, June 29, 2008. Race Time: 7:00AM, Walk time: 7:15AM Same Day Registration: 6:00am-7:00AM Post Race Awards Ceremony: 8:30AM

WHEN
Sunday, June 29, 2008. Race Time: 7:00AM, Walk time: 7:15AM Same Day Registration: 6:00am-7:00AM Post Race Awards Ceremony: 8:30AM

WHERE
South Forsyth High School, 585 Peachtree Parkway, Cumming, GA 30041Call 404-663-4123 for more details

TO BENEFIT
The Noreen O'Neill Foundation for Melanoma Research and The Wistar Institute and the Michael Colwell Family of Cumming, GA

REGISTRATION $20 per person
Participants will receive a t-shirt, bracelet
and one raffle ticket.
DONATIONS
Donate $20 and receive a bracelet.

to register visit
www.foundationformelanomaresearch.org/runwalk/

favor addition

2008-05-28T16:56:00.000-07:00

hi friends!
i've gotten a great response from many of you letting me know you are working on those letters for michael's book. many of you were already a few steps ahead of me and going to do that anyway! you all are amazing! if i could i'd like to ask you to send in/email a picture with your letter. it would be amazing if you had one with michael, but of course one of you or your family would be great too. it would really give the boys a visual of all the people's lives that their daddy has impacted. i thank you already for doing this. it's going to be something great! just like michael was!

big favor

2008-05-24T09:25:00.000-07:00

i need your help! i want to put together a book for the boys about michael. i would love if anyone could to send a letter or email, nothing long, retelling a story about michael, a description of him or somehow he impacted your life. it can be funny, serious, sad, happy anything. then at the bottom please have your name with how you knew michael. i thought i could put them all together and make a book out of all of them for the boys to be able to look at later! i don't want them to forget or wonder about what daddy was like. this will help them continue to keep daddy alive in their hearts and see how they themselves are like him! it is something kaleb, noah and i will treasure for a long time! thanks for your help!

one day at a time

2008-05-24T09:14:00.000-07:00

hi friends!
i know many have been anxious for an update from us. thanks for your patience as there is a lot to get used to and get done around here. we are doing ok. this has been our first week just the three of us and we've made it! it was a busy week. kaleb had his kindergarten graduation on monday night. he did fantastic and it was so great watching noah watch his big brother. noah was so proud and couldn't take his eyes off of kaleb. i also had a teacher appreciation dinner wednesday which was a nice end to the school year. the boys are now off at nana and grandpa's for the weekend. it'll give them a chance to be spoiled and loved and me a chance to relax and maybe catch up on a little sleep. this weekend is much needed and appreciated! i'm looking forward to not making any decisions and not having to be too responsible.
thanks for your continued prayers. they are evident daily in the strength and joy that the boys and i find every day. the boys are doing great. we talk about daddy often and they find comfort in the fact that God is taking care of daddy now, he is not sick anymore and daddy is alive in heaven. they are remarkable. i draw my strength from our amazingly gracious God who continues to provide what i need. i am especially grateful for my girls who surround and lift me up daily.
God is good! i believe and hope you do too!

celebration

2008-05-10T08:45:00.000-07:00

friday was amazing! it was wonderful celebration of michael's life. we were blessed to be surrounded by SO many friends and family! the service is exactly what michael would have wanted. all the many hours of prep and service from so many at north point is greatly appreciated. i can't say enough wonderful things about our north point family. they have truly made this week tons easier and their love overwhelms me! now that i've learned how to do this blog thing i'll try to keep it going. thanks to everyone who has showered their love on us. we are so grateful! it keeps us going! we continue to praise our mighty God for walking through this all with us. He will sustain us and help us keeping moving forward! many have asked about how to help out our family. there has been a fund set up to do just that. here's the info.

If you would like to contribute, please mail your tax-deductible gifts made payable to Helping Hands Ministries to:

Helping Hands Ministries

Account #63045

P.O. Box 337

Tallulah Falls, GA 30573

Please be sure to notate account #63045 in the memo section of your check.

we love you all and ask you to continue to pray for our family as each day will bring about some change. may we embrace it wholeheartedly and know we don't need to be afraid, just believe!

obituary

2008-05-07T08:44:00.000-07:00

here's a copy of the obituary that we placed in the
paper. i thought i'd share it with all of you who
may not get to see it. it was been a peaceful week.
i know the next few days will be hard, but i'm hoping
they can be a real celebration!

Colwell, Michael T.

Michael T. Colwell, Jr. of Cumming went to be with the
Lord on Sunday, May 4, 2008. He was born June 27, 1976
in Monroe, Louisiana to Mr. and Mrs. Michael T.
Colwell, Sr. He attended Clemson University in
Clemson, S.C. where he received his bachelors and
masters degrees in Electrical Engineering. He also
received his Masters in Theology from Dallas
Theological Seminary in Dallas Texas in 2003. While at
Clemson, Michael was President of the Fellowship of
Christian Athletes and met his beloved wife Jennifer.
Michael was a staff member and pastor at North Point
Community Church in Alpharetta, GA.

In addition to his wife Jennifer, Michael is survived
by his two children, Kaleb and Noah, his parents, Mr.
and Mrs. Michael T. Colwell, Sr., his sister Catherine
of Indianapolis, Indiana, his grandmothers, Mrs. JoAnn
Dekeyzer of Aleaxandria, LA, Mrs. Nobie Gibson of
Delhi, LA, and Mrs. Helen Bradshaw of W. Monroe, LA,
his mother and father in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Donald
Brietzke of Seneca, S.C. and his sister and
brother-in-law, Erin and Clay Jernigan and their
children, Eliana and Harper Michael Jernigan, all of
Summerville, S.C.

A visitation will be held Thursday evening, May 8 at
McDonald and Son Funeral Home, 150 Sawnee Drive in
Cumming, GA from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. A celebration of
Michael’s life will be held at North Point Community
Church on Friday, May 9 at 11:00. In lieu of flowers,
tax-deductible gifts may be made to the Michael
Colwell Memorial Fund, Account #63045, c/o Helping
Hands Ministries, P.O. Box 337, Tallulah Falls, GA
30537.

michael is dancing

2008-05-05T08:35:00.000-07:00

i didn't think i'd be writing this email this soon. after a two year battle with cancer that michael fought with such toughness and determination he is now rejoicing with our Lord in heaven. michael peacefully passed away last night at 11:50 pm. yesterday was a tough day. michael went to bed as normal saturday night. he even slipped out of bed around 3:00am. i helped him back into bed and he made some silly comment about being clumsy. when the boys woke me up in the morning around 7:30 i noticed michael was slightly labored in his breathing. at first i just thought he was snoring, but after looking at him his left eye was slightly open and looked unresponsive. i tried to wake him up and couldn't. i moved his arms, legs, tried sitting him up and put water on his face, but nothing. i then called our oncologist office who told me to call 911 right away. i did and the fire truck and ambulance were here in under fifteen minutes and by 8:25 we were in the ambulance on the way to the hospital. once arriving they put him on a ventilator and got a ct scan to see what was happening. two of his tumors had some more bleeding and there was tremendous pressure in his head causing his brain to be pushed down to the base of his brain stem (called herniated). i was quickly told this was not a reversible condition and there was nothing we could do. he would not recover from this. he was not in any pain and it would be a matter of hours before we would lose him. around 11-12 they moved him up to an icu room where we (me, my dad, bill and andy) sat with him. my mom and sister also made it to the hospital for a little while and were able to say their goodbyes. michael's parents got in their car and started the seemingly never ending drive. thankfully they arrived around 10:00pm and michael was still with us. the ventilator was the only thing keeping him alive. after spending some time with him we decided around 11:30ish to stop the ventilator. this was something michael and i had talked about. it only took minutes since he was not able to breath on his own before he peacefully was embraced by our loving heavenly Father who took him home. of course i would have preferred a miraculous healing, but since obviously this was michael's time to go i couldn't have asked for better circumstances surrounding the day. we were blessed with lots of loving friends in the waiting room, great neighbors who stepped up without hesitating, an amazing hospital staff who was supportive and michael being painfree and totally peaceful. it was a long hard day, but i can smile today knowing he's where he belongs. and nobody loves him more than my God. he's left an imprint in many lives which is exactly what he wanted to do. he will continue to live on through all of us and especially his sweet boys. please pray for them as this is something so foreign and strange. i talked with them this morning and we shared some tears together, but all agreed we would still love and talk about daddy whenever we wanted to. and of course he would never stop loving us. thank you already for all your love and support. it comforting to know i have so many amazing people around me ready to help with anything! let this week be a celebration of michael's life! he most definitely deserves it!
love,
jen
here's all the details for the week
thursday, may 8 4-8pm
visitation at McDonald & Son funeral home
150 Sawnee Drive, Cumming, GA 30040

friday, may 9 11:00am
service at North Point Community Church
4350 North Point Parkway, Alpharetta, GA 30022

saturday

2008-05-03T08:34:00.000-07:00

michael is doing about the same. he is resting a lot. he is very tired and weak usually only sitting up to eat and then spending most of the rest of the time laying down. his speech is about the same too. he understands fine just has trouble expressing himself.
we saw the neurosurgeon yesterday. (thankfully we had a wheelchair delivered right before we left so michael didn't have to walk too far). dr. weaver examined michael physically looking at the site of infection on his head and by asking him some questions. the site looked good. michael did fine following directions, but had more trouble naming objects. weaver said the language issues could still be from the blood from the hemorrhaged tumor (especially since that tumor is located so closely to the speech area of the brain). the blood can take up to three months to be fully absorbed back into the body. he said it could also be simply from the pressure surrounding that area. he will be able to tell more after looking at the next mri. we will go back and see him monday, may 12 to get his take from the mri. the only thing we need to be watching as far as he is concerned is any more headaches and the site of previous infection for any build up or oozing.
next week is our busy week. we'll head wednesday to northside to get a pet scan. thursday is a mri at north fulton hospital and friday get the results at our oncologist visit. it's going to be a lot for michael. please pray for strength and these outings seem to talk a lot out of him.
we are continuing to feel the out pouring of love from all of you! every time we turn a corner one of you is standing there with some amazing offer of encouragement (thanks angie). today we had our family room makeover and it is AMAZING!!!! it looks so beautiful and i know every time i sit in it (especially those quiet moments at night) i will feel the love with which it was thought of and brought together! thanks to everyone who was a part of that! i am so grateful!
i'll let you know how the week goes. it'll probably not be till next weekend when i actually know something. each day is special and we are treating them like it. God's purpose through all of this may never be understood, but that ok because i trust in who God is and not what i want Him to do. He is very evident in our lives right now and we can feel His love through all of you! thanks for helping us stand strong and tall!

friday

2008-04-25T08:33:00.000-07:00

it's been a busy day here. we have worn michael out. getting him to take a shower and have two doctor visits is more than he's used to. here is the latest news. dr. dailey (infectious disease) said he thinks the infection is under control. he had michael's pic line taken out and now he'll be on oral antibiotics for another 10 days. yeah! we also do not need to go back and see him unless something comes up. it feels great to have something behind us and wrapped up.
at our oncologists, michael had some blood drawn and then in for a visit. his platelet and cell counts were good, so he can continue taking the chemo pills. they will also be sending the blood off to check for other possible deficiencies. if any appear they will call monday to let us know. michael has lost a lot of weight too, almost about 20 pounds in the last couple months. we got a prescription for an appetite enhancer (yeah, who thought michael would ever need that?!) to see if that will help. it's possible some of the confusion could be related to that. of course there are other possibilities too. michael is scheduled for a pet scan on wednesday, may 7, an mri on thursday, may 8 and then back to the doctor for results on friday, may 9. that'll be a big week for us. at that time they should be able to determine if the chemo pills are being effective or not and give us a more precise prognosis.
we go back to our neurosurgeon next friday, may 2 for a follow up. hopefully he can answer a few more questions about michael's brain function and the best thing we can do for it.
please pray for a healthy appetite for michael and that we would start putting some weight back on. also that he would experience clarity in his thinking and speaking. thank you all so much for your continued love. as things change or new info presents itself i'll let you know. in the meantime we will just be resting and trying to enjoy each moment we have trying to remember it truly is a gift from God. He is the giver of all good things! i have been given SO many good things even in the midst of this craziness. my God has been with me before this all started, continues to be with me through all of this, and promises to be with me forever. though lots seem to change in our lives, our God will remain the same! that gives me a peace for yesterday, contentment for today and a hope for tomorrow! we love you all!

monday

2008-04-21T08:32:00.000-07:00

it was back to school for me and the boys today. it was nice to get back to a little normal. michael's parents and sister stayed home with him. his day seemed to be slightly better. he only took a couple of naps in hopes of getting back into a regular schedule. he is still having trouble getting his thoughts out at times and multi task processing can be overwhelming (like trying to play go fish with the boys). we are hoping for a good nights rest and some more steps forward tomorrow. we will see our infectious disease doctor and oncologist on friday this week. i'll probably start sending emails out every couple of days or as things seem to change. he seems to be glad to be home. he still isn't up for visitors yet. i'll let you know when that changes. the boys have been great! they want to "help daddy and make him happy" as kaleb puts it. noah will still crawl up in michael's lap and just sit. at one time today we all left the family room briefly except michael, when i came back in the room kaleb was sitting right next to michael. he said "don't worry i was sitting with daddy while you were gone so i could help him." how amazing! what a blessing that the boys don't seem to be bothered or too curious about why daddy is different than before. they have seemed to except it for now and adjusted accordingly. praise God for that and pray it continues. please pray for strength as each day seems to take a little more out of us. may God fill us up daily with His everlasting love and mighty strength.

sunday

2008-04-20T08:31:00.000-07:00

it's sunday and it was nice to be at home. the kids and i had fun playing outside and we've got papa and aunt cathey working hard in our garage putting up some new shelves. michael's day was ok. he was able to get a few naps in and eat a little. still no fever so that's good too. he is having trouble communicating. he seems to understand the things we say, but is not always able to tell us what he wants/needs. he did also say some random things today. he knows he gets confused. his balance seemed a little off today too. we again are thankful to be home and also glad to have help, since it is definitely needed. please continue to pray for michael's continued recovery. this has definitely hit him hard and recovery is a lot slower that hoped for. that being said we know all is in God's perfect timing. He knows best when and what we need. He is our great provider! may we rest in that tonight!

saturday

2008-04-19T08:30:00.000-07:00

it's hard to believe that two weeks ago i was driving michael to the er with a severe headache. that seems so long ago, but still fresh in my memory. last night was his first night home and he rested better. he was still in and out of sleep a lot, but it did seem better. today was his first full day home. he pretty much rotated between sleeping, eatping, and sitting on the couch all day. he didn't eat much, but some at each meal. his confusion seems to be gone too. at times he appears to struggle with finding words, but for the most part is very coherent. thankfully there has been no more fever either. praying for a little improvement every day. it is just going to be a slow process. i'm glad my God is patient and does not grow weary. He can carry us for as long as it takes and then some! wishing you all a glorious sunday!

friday

2008-04-18T08:29:00.000-07:00

michael is home!!! yeah! we are SO excited to all be sleeping in our own beds tonight. we were able to leave the hospital around 2:15 today. this morning michael had a pick line put in which went well. his sister cathey arrived safely from indianapolis and made it to the hospital to have lunch with us. once the paperwork was ready we were out of there. we made one stop on the way home at the office of dr. dailey (our infectious disease doctor). his nurse, lori, showed me how to give michael his antibiotic through the pick line. it's a five step process, but very easy and should only take a total of about twenty minutes. then i dropped michael off at home and headed back to the pharmacy for more prescriptions. it was nice to all be home this evening. michael did give us a little of a scare tonight. around 7:00 or so he was getting confused again. i had just given him so pain medication for a headache. his speech was slurred, was saying random things and couldn't answer those question we had in the icu (where are you, how old, ect.) i called dr. weaver (our neurosurgeon) around 8:00 and he said to give michael about an hour and see if it might be the pain medication. if he isn't better than we were to bring him back to the er. michael wanted to go to bed about 8:30 and seemed alittle better, but still confused. he's resting now and we are praying that it was the medicine. let's pray for a great night and a clear head in the morning. please pray for wisdom and patience as this continues to be a longer journey than expected. my God can do that for all of us! He is that gracious!

thursday

2008-04-17T23:45:00.000-07:00

michael had a fairly restful day. he actually was
able to get a few naps in which was good. he did have
one high 102 fever, but with medicine it came down
quickly. after talking to all the doctors the plan is
to put in a pick line (a more permanent iv) tomorrow
so that michael can continue an antibiotic iv at home
and hopefully come home possibly tomorrow too! yeah!
that would be great! i'll be spending the night with
him tonight. his sister will be flying in tomorrow
for a couple days, so we'll have more help and a
friendly face! let's pray for a great night and
coming home (as long as he is medically ready).
love,
jen
p.s i now have a new nephew! my sister erin and her
husband clay had their second child tonight around
7:00. his name is harper michael jernigan. he was
8lb and 4oz and 20 1/2 in. all are doing great!
praise God for new life!

wednesday

2008-04-16T17:50:00.000-07:00

it's mid week and things continue to look better.
michael had a decent night and rested most of today.
the doctors stopped by and feel things are going well
enough to move him back to a regular room. that
should happen sometime this evening (i'm actually
writing this pretty early in the day since i'll be
going out to celebrate my birthday with some friends
for dinner tonight). he did have another fever today
around 3:00. it was about 101.6. it had been over 24
hours since his last fever and this one wasn't as
high, so hopefully that's a good sign. we'll have to
talk to the doctors about that tomorrow. i think if
we can get the fever under control michael will be
able to come home! please pray for that! i know he
would love to continue to recover at home. another
praise is that he's now on the steroid every other
day. yeah! let's pray that helps his sleep. praise
God for a beautiful day and pray for another good one
tomorrow! my God is glorious!

tuesday

2008-04-15T23:33:00.000-07:00

tuesday- it has been a better day. michael seemed to
get at least a little rest last night. during the day
he was pretty good too. he ran a low grade fever
early morning and then spiked another one around
11:00, but then none since. i hope that's a good
sign. michael is still tired and weak, but he is back
to himself. he knows what is going on and does not
seem to have anymore confusion right now. praise God
for that! he also seemed a bit more peaceful today.
he was not agitated and didn't shake much. our
neurosurgeon said he will be in the neuro icu at least
another 24 hours to monitor the fevers. it seems
we'll go day to day, not making any big plans. let's
pray for some more rest and an even better day
tomorrow. we continued to be showered with fervent
prayers, encouraging messages and generous actions
(loved getting the house cleaned today- thanks to all
who helped make that happen). these keep us going and
we know God has put you in our lives at this specific
time for Him to use you to bless us! we think you are
GREAT people! may we all rest well tonight waking
tomorrow with a smile on our face and a joy in our
heart for another day.

monday

2008-04-14T16:44:00.000-07:00

today we've had a little bump in the road. michael
ran a fever this morning and again this afternoon. he
also started getting pretty agitated around 2:00. he
was given some medicine to calm down which helped. he
also started getting confused again. he was saying
some strange things and doesn't really know what's
going on, very similar to last week in the neuro icu.
dr. weaver (our neurosurgeon) came by around 6:00. he
drained some more infection from the back of michael's
head. he got quite a bit. more than likely it's the
infection that is causing the fevers. hopefully
draining it will help. michael will be moved back to
the neuro icu tonight for a closer watch. dr. weaver
will be back by tomorrow to check the site for more
infection. hopefully he got it all and michael will
start to improve. if the infection continues to
collect then he would have to open him back up and a
do a thorough cleaning through surgery. as far as the
confusion it is possibly linked to the infection. we
won't know until we can get a hold on the infection.
the first priority is clearing up the infection so it
doesn't travel elsewhere. right now we are actually
waiting for a room in the icu and michael is resting
peacefully. he's not sleeping, but after a fairly
intense afternoon it's SO good to see him still!
please pray for a restful night and that infection
would be going away. i am hopeful to see a much
improved michael in the morning. my God will be with
me either way, helping me stand strong and fight this
with michael each step of the way. we are thankful to
be surrounded by great family and friends!

sunday

2008-04-13T18:39:00.000-07:00

it is our second sunday in the hospital. this was
much better than last. michael's night was ok last
night. he slept some off and on, but is really
lacking some extended quality sleep. he had his ct
scan this morning. both doctors came by while i was
at church, so i missed them again. the scan showed no
new infection area which is good. as long as the day
went well and michael did not run a fever anymore,
they said it was possible to go home tomorrow. that
was good to hear. unfortunately around 2:30 or so
michael started another fever. we don't know what
that means in terms of going home. our regular
neurosurgeon will be back tomorrow so we'll talk to
him. michael also had some more speech and physical
therapy. my parents brought the kids back today and
stopped by the hospital. it was great to see them and
hear their sweet laughs. hopefully it will be an
uneventful evening with no more fevers and lots of
sleep! let's pray for that! one day at a time. we
will cast our cares on the Lord knowing He is willing
and able to carry them! i'm SO glad my God is SO big!

saturday

2008-04-12T15:36:00.000-07:00

here's todays report. last night michael's fever
spiked again to around 103. thanks to good medicine
it didn't last too long. other than that the night
was ok. he seemed to get a little sleep on and off.
this morning he spiked another fever and again in the
afternoon. other than the fevers he had a good day.
he had some physical and speech therapy. both went
well and making good progress. his vision is still
blurry, but he was able to watch some of he masters
and could tell what was going on. i managed to
finally find a pharmacy that carried the chemo pill
michael will start again. they only have enough for
three doses, but could get the rest in a couple days.
michael will start that tomorrow. of course while i
was gone both our neurosurgeon and infectious disease
doctor came by. the disease guy is wondering if there
might be another pocket of infection causing michael's
fevers. he'll have another ct scan tomorrow morning
focusing on just that. he's still tired and weak, but
i'm so proud of him pushing forward through all of
this. it's definitely nothing he wants, but keeps
thanking God for all the little blessings (like
finding hot tea at the hospital today). his faith is
encouraging to me and wants nothing more than bringing
glory to God in every step. he is amazing! i thank
God each day for him! thanks for praying for him and
our whole family! we love you!

friday

2008-04-11T16:49:00.000-07:00

it's day number 7 in the hospital. today was an up and down day. michael didn't sleep well last night, having to get up almost ever hour to use the bathroom (thanks papa for helping out all night!). he had some more oozing from his head this morning and off and on fever, once spiking to 103. the results showed it is a staff infection and he'll continue to be on antibiotics. the neurosurgeon checked out the site and said it looked good and that it was a good thing that it was coming out. we'll have to keep a close watch on it to make sure it doesn't collect in his head causing more trouble and further surgery to take care of it. that means we'll be in the hospital until mid week he said. of course that was not what michael wanted to hear. please pray he doesn't get too discouraged. he's feeling a little helpless and very dependent, which is very different for him.
our oncologist also stopped by and talked to us. he suggested that michael start taking the chemo pill everyday. that would be followed up by some blood work in two weeks and then another mri in a month. he still had not be in contact with our specialist but was still working on that. we are pleased with the plan and will start soon. our oncologist also gave michael a prescription for a new sleeping pill. he was really excited about that! he didn't sleep much today so he is extremely tired! please pray for sleep- true restorative sleep! this evening i've spent some time trying to get all the prescriptions we need. it hasn't been easy so far. i'll have to spend some more time tomorrow working on that. please pray that all works out and michael can get what he needs.
his vision seems to be getting just slightly better we think. he's not seeing double so much, but things are still very blurry. praise God for the little things!
it's 8:06 and michael might actually be sleeping. i'm excited to get this done before 11:00. i'll be staying at the hospital tonight with him. michael's parents can hopefully get some good rest at our house, while our boys are in the clemson with my parents this weekend (thanks mom and dad).
as we'll be here longer than expected and desired please pray it would be a great time of recovery and rest. may the time go by quickly and michael feel better even faster. we're glad to be in such good hands! God is watching out for us each step of the way. until tomorrow....
love,
jen

thursday

2008-04-10T14:45:00.000-07:00

thursday has been a pretty good day. of course there is never a dull moment and new things seem to happen each day. overall, michael had a decent night and today was ok. his cognitive abilities are continuing to improve a lot. his balance seemed to be better too. his vision is still off which is quite frustrating. today he did run a little bit of a fever off and on and felt a little weak. the newest drama is that tonight his head starting to ooze something from where some of the sutures were from his brain surgery. so now we've met a nice doctor from the infectious diseases department. he took a swab and it will be sent of to see was it is. the results could take a couple days which may impact when michael gets to come home. in the meantime they started him on some antibiotics to help fight off any infection it could be. it doesn't hurt him. michael is very anxious to come home so i hope this doesn't discouraged him too much. our oncologist also called me to let me know he is still trying to get in touch with our specialist to confer on further treatments. he actually stopped by tonight around 9:30 (just after i left and michael's dad took over the night shift) just to check on michael too. we hope to hear more from him tomorrow. that's all for tonight. i'm very tired and ready to try and sleep. please pray for michael's vision to clear, his spirits to be up, and the right time to come home. my God is big enough to take care of all of that and more!

love,
jen