I promised you an update on Mom a few days ago. My brother has reminded me for two days that I’m a slacker. (He didn’t say it that way, he just loves to read these). So, read on to hear about Mom.

We had another appointment at Duke earlier this week. Got slightly disappointing news, but it’s not unhopeful. Bottom line, we’re kicking the can down the curb just a little farther, inch by inch. We’re so very tired and ready for this season to pass. Despite our current discouragement, we are still choosing to believe that it is just that—a season. Not a life sentence.

There are many forms of ministry that happen enfleshed on this earth. Being humans who are bound to space and time, dirt and flesh, we are so often unaware of the activity of the spiritual realm. I firmly believe that nurses are part of God’s tangible ministering army, sent to deliver his healing touch in ways far beyond physical medicine.

Mike and Mom are both in the hospital again. One visit was planned and one visit was another emergency situation. They’re both doing well as I type this and things are still on target for our future plans. Plus, this visit gave us a bit of early good news, despite the stressful and traumatic way it came about.

Mike’s been “home” since Wednesday. Doesn’t he look great?! (picture below in the text) I already shared with you the miracle of him waking up from his vegetative state, but I have another exciting miracle moment to share with you in this update. God has been so good to us!

Mike has finally gotten stable enough to be moved to a regular floor. The amazing staff at our community hospital moved heaven and earth to make sure he was a close to Mom’s room as possible. They’re two doors away—Room 19 and 21. I’m so thankful for small mercies!

I feel like the seals from the featured image on this post. I’m tired. Mike was moved to the step-down unit late Monday night. He’s still improving and getting stronger each day. Mom was admitted to the hospital yesterday afternoon so she could start her first chemo cycle inpatient. We also talked with the medical oncologist at Duke today about the next steps. Thus…I’m tired, ya’ll!

Mike’s still in the ICU. Incrementally improving, but still here. There are lots of things that still need to improve so that he can get strong enough to receive further treatment. The featured image for this post shows a sample of what his IV pole has looked like most of the week.

Mike woke up yesterday afternoon! I’m elated to be writing these words. The words thank you don’t even begin to cover our gratitude for the prayers. There’s still an extremely long road ahead of us, but this is a hopeful step in the right direction.

Mike is in the ICU. Today marks Day 3. I’m not well emotionally, so buckle your seatbelts for this update. It’s going to be hard to read. Trust me, it was even harder to write.