Updates
June 4, 2009 - Michael passed away this afternoon. Although we are sad and will miss him, we also rejoice in the knowledge that he is at the feet of Jesus. I’m sure you can all imagine Michael just chatting away with our Lord. Funeral arrangements are pending and will be posted tomorrow. Thank you for all your continued prayers and support.
June 1, 2009 - Michael had extended seizure activity today lasting for more than twenty minutes. He was in extreme pain and tonight we began giving him morphine. Please pray that he will rest well tonight as he hasn’t slept much the past two nights. Thanks to God, a good friend of ours was at the house and was able to help me out.
May 25, 2009 - I thought I’d update everyone on Michael’s condition. Unfortunately, Michael continues to grow physically weaker each day. He remains in bed at all times now as it has become too exhausting for him to get up. Although he struggles quite a bit with his speech, he has periods of time when he can communicate fairly well and we are all learning to ask “yes” or “no” questions to make it easier for him. He is eating less and less each day. We go through periods of tears pretty much each day, but are comforted by the knowledge that God has a plan and a purpose for all those who love him. Please pray for Paige - as you can imagine, she had a difficult time when she left our house yesterday to return to her home in Nevada, MO.
May 13, 2009 - Just a quick update as to Michael’s health. Hospice is now involved and has set us up with a wheelchair and other equipment to make Michael’s mobility a bit easier. He has lost all use of his right arm/hand and has very limited use of his right leg/foot so the wheelchair has definitely come in handy. He’s also has had a couple of falls, and we actually had to call EMS to help get him up off the bathroom floor at one point. As far as his speaking abilities, Michael continues to struggle at times to be understood. Often he cannot get the word he wants from his brain to his mouth and I know it can be discouraging for him. He’s very tired and takes at least a couple of long naps each day. However, Michael knows that he can trust God in all things. Thank you to all who have sent cards and/or called. You are a blessing. Thanks again for your continued support and prayers. God bless, Nancy Burris
May 3, 2009 - As many of you know, Michael’s symptoms have become increasingly more apparent over the past few weeks. His right hand/arm has lost much of its sensation and is extremely weak. His right foot/leg has become clumsy and he has actually has a couple of falls or near falls. His speech continues to frustrate him and he often cannot find the word he is trying to say. Thankfully, his mind is very much in tact and, as always, he knows that God is in control.
Last week Michael had an MRI which showed continued growth of the cancer. As far as a prognosis, his neurosurgeon said that if he based his opinion only on the rapid progression of Michael’s symptoms he might say a couple of weeks. However, if he based the prognosis only on what he sees on the MRI’s he would say six weeks. He then added that three months was an outside chance. Again, we are thankful that God is in control. This knowledge gives Michael and I much peace.
We and the doctors have made the decision to have hospice begin to get involved in Michael’s care. They will be here tomorrow (Monday) for a preliminary session to determine what services are needed at this time.
God bless you all and thank you for your continued prayers and encouragement.
Nancy B.
April 29, 2009 - Things have been a little hectic since we arrived home from Florida and Michael thought it was about time we posted another “blog”.
We had a fantastic trip - thrilling and exhausting at the same time. (You know how that is.) Pretty much every aspect of the trip went very well. Our hotel suite was wonderful -nice, comfortable beds, plenty of space and even a wading pool for Caleb. (Well, the pool wasn’t actually in the suite….) Caleb thoroughly enjoyed his first theme park rides and there were plenty of play areas for him to just run around in when we adults were simply to tired to take another step. Paige, being the teenager of the group, loved the bigger roller coasters of course and she was very helpful along the way. Michael did well for the most part and was able to get around easily with the use of an electric vehicle each day. Although it was a lot of work it was a time we will cherish forever. While at Seaworld, we got to pet stingrays and feed dolphins which both of the kids loved. Caleb got to see some of his heroes - Lightning McQueen and Mater and Paige enjoyed seeing the Shamu Show for the first time. After being in Orlando for six days, we headed south to Sarasota, were Michael had the privilege of performing the wedding ceremony for his grandfather. As I said, the trip was wonderful. We are, however, grateful to be back home. Thanks again to all of you who helped support our trip. We are forever grateful. God bless, Nancy Burris
04/13/09 - We had a fantastic Easter weekend. My wife, Nancy, who is typing this sentence all on her own, made the best meal I have ever eaten….grin grin grin. Okay, back to Michael….it really was a good dinner….the best ever….grin grin grin. (He can’t really stop me from typing whatever I want, so while I’m at it I’ll just add that I’m a fantastic wife. LOL) Okay, seriously, back to Michael…
I had a pretty good week with no seizures at all. The last one I had was ten days ago, praise the Lord!
We’re so excited about our upcoming trip to Florida which is being sponsored by an organization called Memories of Love. This organization provides Florida vacations to adults who have a prognosis of one year or less and have children under the age of sixteen. It should be a blast! Our hotel and park admissions have been covered by Memories of Love. Thank you to everyone who has blessed us with funds to help cover the other costs associated with the trip.
While in Florida, I’ll have the opportunity to perform the wedding ceremony for my grandfather and his fiancé. I’ll have to come up with some really interesting vows for this one…hehehe.
Please continue to pray for my health. Specifically, for strength and longevity during our trip. God bless you all and I love you - Michael
04/07/09 - We had our first Jesus 101 meeting tonight. About ten people attended. People shared openly and they shared their hearts. Many said they would return again next week. Awesome! Thank you Lord.
04/04/09 - Michael hasn’t been able to blog the last couple of days. He’s been very busy and kinda worn out. So, I thought I’d give a quick rundown of what’s been going on.
Friday brought God’s provision for our family in an awesome way! Although I won’t go into all the details, let’s just say that our Heavenly Father definitely loves us. Thank you to all those at the Capitol who have blessed our family!
Today, we took Caleb to an egg hunt at the Governor’s Mansion. The weather was great and Caleb loved it. Then we had a b-day party for our niece, Megan. Megan is officially an adult now….uh oh….lol. Anyhow, Megan, we love you and are proud to have you in our family. Thanks for loving Caleb the way you do!
Michael’s been feeling a bit tired the last few days. The steroids he must take to help with swelling in the brain cause him to wake up during the night. On top of that, he hasn’t gotten his usual number of naps during the day. Please pray for strength and the ability to sleep more.
God bless you all, and again, thanks for your prayers. Nancy Burris
04/02/09 - Last night I had a bit of an episode. The doctors think it was probably due to swelling in the brain. Basically, I lost the ability to speak in any understandable sentences. The words I was using didn’t go together to form a thought. It was a bit scary for us, but it only lasted about ten minutes and once it was over, it was over. My meds have been increased a bit and I’ve had a great day today. Thanks, Ronda and Butch, for a fantastic lunch!
04/01/09 - Blessings
Paige- Paige competed at her District Band Contest this last weekend. (clarinet) She walked away with a ranking of 1, the highest ranking. This is quite an accomplishment for a high school freshman. This ranking allows her to go on to the state finals on May 1st. I’m so proud of the young woman you have become, Paige. I love you!
Caleb-As some of you may know, Caleb has some developmental delays, so going out to eat is generally a trying experience. However, we took him to Pizza Hut for dinner and he did great. It was easily the best restaurant experience we’ve had with him. He is a blessing!
Nancy-Nancy does so much for me. She supports me in everything. Thank you so much. I love you.
A Walk through cancer…..
I am going to do something different today. I am going to let my friends' share where this trial and blessings meet. I will try to blog everyday. I have a challenge in this already. My right hand is nearly numb. God will give His grace.
March 31, 2009
The word from my doctors…
but not the final word from God!
On March 18, 2009, Nancy and I were given a prognosis of six months. The doctor added that one year would be a very optimistic figure for the rest my time on the earth. The decline in my body would be dramatic.
It seems so surreal. The reason is that we have been here before. Thirty months ago, the doctors told me the much the same thing. We were given 3-15 months and we are at 30 months of life. Thank you, Jesus!
I do have to admit that I recognize a signs that my body is changing. My right hand is mostly numb.
We are trusting God for His will and His best for our family. Please pray for our family and friends.
We have sought God for miracles and He has given us so many of the last 30 months. We know He does have a unlimited supply.
Romans 5:5 (New International Version)
“And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.”
Prayer Request For
The Michael Burris Family
March 16, 2009
Hi everyone! On March 3, 2009, I was told by my oncologist that the chemotherapy I am taking is no longer effective against the cancer. The cancer has grown (albeit slowly) and for that reason I will no longer be taking the drugs. There are no other treatment options at this time.
I am to have a MRI on Wednesday, March 18. The RejoicingInHope.org ministry was birthed needing a miracle and today nothing has changed. Please continue to pray for Nancy, Paige, Caleb and I as we continue to seek God’s miraculous touch on my body.
Hebrews 10:23 (New International Version)
23Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.
Alaska Mission Trip
By Michael Burris
During the month of February, 2009, I took a message of hope to state of Alaska. My good friend and brother in Christ, Larry Crabtree, traveled with me to “The Land of the Midnight Sun” to share the hope of the eternal Son. We landed in Anchorage on February 5th and began our journey.
I first spoke at North Pole Worship Center on February 7th.  At ten degrees below zero we considered the weather in North Pole to be fantastic given that a few weeks earlier the climate had been a frigid sixty below. The meeting was a men’s conference and I spoke openly about sensitive topics which are often not addressed in many of today’s churches. We discussed lust, pornography and the impact of these issues on their wives and the marriage relationship. A very special thank you to Pastors Darryl Carnley and Cal Coblentz for a warm welcome and an awesome opportunity to address the men of North Pole Worship Center! I look forward to seeing you again soon!
Larry and I re-boarded an Alaska Airlines jet that same afternoon and were back in Anchorage later that evening! The next morning I shared about God’s message of hope in my life, how He has directed my walk through terminal cancer. (For more about my diagnosis of Glioblastoma Multiforme see my story above.) I was much honored to share what God is doing in me with the church where I first gave my heart to Jesus Christ in July of 1973 - First Baptist Church of Eagle River, Alaska. Thank you to Pastor Todd Burgess and the deacons of the church for the invitation to minister to your congregation. (click here to read the complete story)
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Driving Hope Campaign
