Michael's Story

On September 12, 2006, I stayed home from work with a bad cold. Knowing I had used all my vacation time I planned to work in the afternoon. After showering and dressing, I went to talk with my wife, Nancy. She asked me to look directly at her face and say something. When I did she noticed that the right corner of my mouth was drooping down. Nancy talked me into going to get medical attention immediately. She was once a trained EMT (Emergency Medical Technician) and knew what she was talking about.

We drove to a local hospital and the emergency room doctor examined me. At first he thought that I might have Bells Palsy. (Bells Palsy is a disorder where the whole side of your face is temporarily paralyzed.) However, there was one problem with that diagnosis - my eyebrow was not frozen. The E.R. doctor kept repeating the same tests on me for two hours. He wasn't sure what was wrong. After consulting with a neurologist a CAT scan of my brain was taken. After a repeat CAT scan the doctor changed my diagnosis. I had a brain tumor.

Because of the complexities of this diagnosis, I was to be transported by ambulance to a hospital in Columbia, MO. The doctor presented me with a choice of two different hospitals. My family and I quickly prayed and asked God where He wanted me to go. I had peace to go to Boone Hospital Center.

As I traveled by ambulance I told the paramedic with me that I would be the most well person he had ever transported. God had been very good to me. I did not have one headache, which is the most common affliction of those with brain tumors. Furthermore, I had no other adverse symptoms with the except the mouth drooping and a little drooling.

After arriving at Boone Hospital Center, Dr. B, a neurosurgeon, came to visit me. He explored the various options with me explaining that the first thing to happen would be to run a few tests. The next day, September 13, I had a MRI scan done on my brain. (I am a big guy and I was stuffed into a tiny tube for 30 minutes. I prayed the entire time because closed-in places have never been my favorite places to be. Praise God! I survived!) Next, they took CAT scans of my chest, stomach and lower area to see if there were any other tumors.

That evening, Dr. B came to my room and told me that I had a tumor the size of a small apple on the left side of my brain. He went on to explain that there was one open slot in the surgery schedule for the next day. He and my family wanted me in that slot to have the tumor removed. The risks associated with surgery were also discussed. The tumor itself was up against the part of my brain that controlled my speech and facial muscles, the movement in my right arm and hand, and my planning skills. Any or all of these things could be affected by the surgery. I am an ordained minister and a sales representative. What would happen if I had the surgery?

Because I wanted my Dad who lives in Montana to be with me I decided to pray about the timing of the surgery. The doctor gave me a few hours to decide and left. My family and I called upon the Lord God and asked for His guidance about all the details of the surgery, including when to go in. Just as I said "Amen" at the end of the prayer my telephone rang. Dr. James Jones, the pastor of Faith Fellowship Outreach Church in Greenfield, Missouri, was on the phone. (Dr. Jones had ordained me to ministry on March 14, 2004.) When I told Dr. Jones about the brain tumor, he told me to "get that thing out of your head". He also said that he was coming to Columbia for a meeting the next day. I considered those words to be conformation from God to have the surgery.

The operation took place the next day, September 14, 2006. The doctor was able to remove all of the tumor he could see. A biopsy was taken and tested to see if the tumor was cancerous. Before the operation Dr. B had warned that under perfect conditions I would remain in the hospital for at least four days. Two days in Intensive Care and two days on the regular hospital floor.

I was so blessed! Less than two days after major brain surgery I was discharged and released to go home. God gave me great strength and rallied my body in an amazing way!

My Dad and Grandfather (From Florida) arrived on the same day I went home. Having all my family there was a wonderful gift. My children, Paige, age 12, and my son Caleb, 14 months got to spend time with their Grandpa and it was awesome.

On Monday, September 18, 2006, I received a phone call from my surgeon's partner, Dr X. He was phoning to give me the results of the pathology on my tumor. He did not have the news I expected. The tumor was cancerous. I had Glioblastoma multiforme, a rapidly growing and very serious form of brain cancer. An appointment had been set for me to see Dr. T, a local oncologist for ongoing treatment.

When the call ended I told Nancy, Dad, Grandfather, and my friend (and boss) Brian that we had a battle to fight and then explained the diagnosis. We prayed and thanked Jesus Christ for what He had already done bearing my sicknesses before He went to the cross (Isaiah 53:4-5). I asked the Lord for His strength and for comfort for my family and friends. My appointment with Dr. T included Nancy, Dad and myself. The doctor told us that Glioblastoma Multiforme has no known cure. The median (average) life expectancy with treatment would be 15 months. There are documented cases of people living 2-5 years. My doctor and father looked at the floor I was given the facts about the cancer that had invaded my brain. He pronounced a death sentence over me.

I had to make a decision. How would I respond to this death sentence? I guess I could get my affairs in order, arrange my funeral and plunge my family into despair and depression OR I COULD LIVE WHAT I BELIEVE! I have prayed with many people afflicted by sickness over the past seven years and asked God to heal them using the promises in the Bible. Many times I was blessed to see them healed. Could I believe the Word and expect to see God rescue me from this trial? Would God heal me from a brain cancer that has no known cure? The Bible says that faith is "the confident assurance that something we want is going to happen. It is the certainty that what we hope for is waiting for us, even though we can not see it up ahead." (Hebrews 11:1 The Living Bible). In the same chapter (Hebrews 11:6, TLB), the Word says "You can never please God without faith, without depending on him. Anyone who wants to come to God must believe that there is a God and that He rewards those who sincerely look for him." When I was in the hospital reading the Bible, I continually found verses about hope. I remembered that the Bible definition of hope was a persistent confident expectation of something good! Other than accepting Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior, I knew this would be the most important decision that I had ever made in my almost forty-two years on the earth.

I responded to the challenge. I respected and understood what Dr. T told me, I said that I would follow his treatment plan as the Lord gave me peace about it. I understand the diagnosis and limited life expectancy as fact. But I believe that faith in God and His truth (the Bible and what it says) will change natural fact. I told Dr. T that I was going to place my faith in God, His deliverance and healing power instead of the diagnosis.

My treatment program is to be chemotherapy that I could take at home in a pill form (five pills exactly) everyday and radiation five days a week for thirty treatments. These would be done at the same time. My radiology oncologist stressed the diagnosis with me again and I responded the same as I had with Dr. T. He responded by saying that "God is the only one who can deliver you from this" I replied, "then we are perfectly set up, aren't we?"

As I write this story, I am pleased that I have been in treatment for fifteen days. God had been so good to me as I have suffered no side effects besides being tired and taking a few naps each day.

Nancy and I have seen God's favor in every area of our lives during the last three weeks. My Dad stayed here for two weeks and really bonded with our kids. I cried when Dad sang cowboy songs with Caleb. Paige and Dad built an enclosure on our deck so Caleb could play safely outside. Paige was a great apprentice for her Grandfather. I was proud of her and the wonderful person she is. Mom has been a rock and there every time we need her and for anything we need. Thanks, Dad and Mom, we love you. Ronda and Butch - thanks for being there especially for the kids. Many people have been generous with their time babysitting Caleb as I went to numerous doctor and radiation appointments. My friends have walked closely with me in person, by mail and telephone as we have traveled this road.

I told my Dad, in a letter before he returned to Montana, that the preceding two weeks had been the greatest two weeks of my life even with the diagnosis. I hope my story will inspire others to believe God for the very best results in the trials that they face.

April 23, 2007

Psalms 34:19 (NLT) The righteous face many troubles, but the Lord rescues them from each and every one.

"WOW! Come and take a look for yourselves!" is what my neurosurgeon said to my family this afternoon. I would have not believed that "WOW!" would sound so great! That one word was music to my ears! When my wife, Nancy, and I joined my father, Ron, and my mother, Connie, in the X-Ray room were could understand why my doctor's smile was so big. God had done a marvelous work in my body.

Seven weeks ago, my doctor told me that there was swelling in the same place a malignant brain tumor had been last September. He even suggested another surgery on my brain to place chemotherapy wafers in the area. I asked him if we could have another few weeks to see if the swelling was truly an indication of the return of the cancer. He said the progress my brain had shown and the fact that I was in very good health (Thank you, Jesus!) would allow him to grant my request.

In last seven weeks we have asked many people to pray for me and the results of the MRI scheduled for today. I felt impressed by the Lord to have my Sunday School class pray for me and for healing in my body! We had only been to that class two times before. A step of faith was required in asking thirty people, most of whom I did not know, to pray for such a personal request.
I could feel the power of God as my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ prayed for me. I was sitting in a chair as they prayed and laid hands on me. I even remember someone had their hand around my ankle as they prayed.

I felt totally at peace as I went to have the MRI this morning. God blessed me with an awesome technician named Lezlie to do my MRI. She was so professional and even let me cough in between MRI pictures. (I have been battling a cold.) 

Dad took me to lunch and I know he was nervous about the results of the MRI. We didn't talk much. When Mom and Nancy met us at the doctor's office, all that was left was to hear the results. After a lengthy wait , my doctor examined my physical motor skills and my speech. He left the room to go see the results of the MRI. My doctor returned just as I described earlier in this posting, smiling and happy! WOW!

What God showed us today is that an area around the rim of the cancerous tumor which had been questionable in the past was completely clean! (No need for surgery!) The space where the tumor was cut out of was smaller than in the last MRI and there was very little swelling. My God did a miraculous work of healing in my brain! I saw relief on the faces of Nancy, Mom and Dad. When the doctor left he asked me to keep doing what ever I have been doing. I told him it wasn't me doing anything....my God did all the work! He deserves all the glory for my wonderful report. Thank you, Lord God Almighty! I love you! Jesus Christ thank you for healing me!

May 21, 2007

Jeremiah 33:6 (NIV)

6 " 'Nevertheless, I will bring health and healing to it; I will heal my people and will let them enjoy abundant peace and security.

A second MRI of my brain was taken today. Dr. B said that it was a better MRI than the last one a month ago. There was a tiny bit of swelling and no sign of cancerous activity. My oncologist told me one day later that I need to stay on the AVASTIN therapy because they are so encouraged with the results of the treatment and because they want to make sure the cancer is subdued. There are not many cases of people with glioblastoma multiforme (a terminal brain cancer) who have taken AVASTIN so there is not set protocol on what to do next. Glioblastoma Multiforme is usually very destructive and end lives quickly. If Avastin can do for others what God has done for me with it, many lives could be saved.

Please pray for Nancy, Caleb, Paige and I as we continue this walk. I also ask for your prayers for the ministry of hope that God has called me to help others move mountains in their lives. We are actively seeking opportunities to tell my story and to minister hope and healing through Jesus Christ to world.
Thank you again for all your prayers.

If you have any questions or comments please e-mail me at Michael@Rejoicinginhope.org

Please send me your stories of challenge, trial or victory to me at Michael@Rejoicinginhope.org