Update from Michael: 2/22/10

Posted byChaplainmikePosted inUncategorized

Chaplain Mike received this note from Denise Spencer today:

Michael has finished his second round of chemotherapy treatments. They make him so exhausted that he spends most of his time in bed. His appetite is almost completely gone, too. He’s lost 60 pounds. (Thank You, Lord, for creating Ensure!)

It’s very difficult for Michael to keep his spirits up, as bad as he feels. Still, I’m grateful that he doesn’t have any more side effects than this…at least not yet.

Please pray that Michael will rest in God’s love day by day, hour by hour. And please pray for good health and strength for me as I take care of him.

Thank you so much.

37 thoughts on “Update from Michael: 2/22/10”

  2. Michael, please know that many of us whom you have touched so deeply and helped to see God more clearly are praying for you and your family in this difficult time. You may not know me or many of the others I see on these boards personally, but I’m praying for you brother. Thank You!

    Like

  3. Pingback: Around the Interweb (02/28) « Christianity
  4. Pingback: Around the Interweb (02/28) « Blogging Theologically
  5. Pingback: Articles of Interest 02-27-10 | Onward, Forward, Toward...

  6. Denise, my husband and I are praying for you and your husband. We miss Michael’s humor and grace, which he seems to combine so effortlessly in this blog. Praying for you both.

    Like

  10. Michael has been a huge help to me in my spiritual journey, an oasis in the desert. He is a teacher who has truly been blessed by God to be a blessing in the lives of others. May God’s healing grace surround him and those who care for him, and we pray for his constant knowledge of the presence of the strength and peace of Christ. God bless him, heal him, comfort him.

    I hate to enter this territory, but I’ve read that many chemo patients have found medicinal marijuana to be useful when dealing with the side effects of their treatment.

    Like

  11. Hi Mike,

    With reference to Ensure tm;

    I’ve been an avid weightlifter and strength/health nut for many years. Ensure is vastly inferior to the similar products used by the strength, health, bodybuilding and powerlifting community. I have no stake in any company, so my rec’s bring me no rewards other than being a blessing to you – should you care to follow my advice.

    If you want a pre-mixed product, Muscle Milk or MYOPLEX by EAS are both light years ahead of Ensure. The powdered meal replacement products, such as LeanBody by LaBrada are better yet.

    I’m praying for you daily, and desire your strength to be at the highest level to fight the damage done by the cancer treatments.

    In HIS Service,

    Chris

    Like

  13. Ensure is a blessing when going through chemo (7 doses for me so far). Make sure Michael stays hydrated too. Even if he doesn’t want to eat, he needs to drink to flush that poison out of his body as soon as it has done its work.

    Prayers ongoing for Michael and your family….

    Like

  16. I miss Michael’s voice and inviting us to join him on his pilgrimage week after week via the podcast and blog. He’s really been an encouragement and colaborer for the Kingdom the past couple years. I’m honored to life him up in prayer each day. Lord, bring healing and peace – day by day, hour by hour. Amen.

    Like

  17. I can only echo what everyone else touches upon. My spiritual journey was going nowhere and I was almost hostile to the idea of evangelical Christianity. I have been reading Michael for about the past year and he has pointed me in some rather interesting directions, which has helped renew my faith in all Christianity. I pray for you, Michael and Denise, for health and strength.

    Love,

    Tom

    Like

  19. Ditto the thoughts, prayers and concerns that are being offered to you. We pray that God restores your body to a healthy condition, for His glory.

    Like

  20. Praying here for both of you.

    I don’t know any other way to suggest this and not sound like spam, but try to find some Miracle Fruit berries. It helps with the ability to taste and even makes bitter things taste sweet. It’s supposed to help people who are going through chemo enjoy some food again.

    Like

  25. I’ve been reading Michael’s site for well over a year, and he’s given me so much to think about, even when I disagreed, and he turned me on to some wonderful Christian authors. My wife and I have been praying for Michael and Denise, and we continue to pray that through this time of trial and suffering the Lord keeps both of them close and gives them His strength and peace.

    Like

  27. Michael has helped me so much in my spiritual journey, so it’s a privilege to lift both you and him up in prayer.

    Like

  28. “Can a mother forget the infant at her breast,
    walk away from the baby she bore?
    But even if mothers forget,
    I’d never forget you—never.
    Look, I’ve written your names on the backs of my hands.
    The walls (life) you’re rebuilding are never out of my sight. (Isaiah 49:15-16 MSG)

    May his healing presence be with you.

    Like

  31. Michael, your writing has introduced me to some new perspectives on God and His Church. It has been a real encouragement and challenge to me. I pray now that God will be your strength and encourager today and that He will grant you healing and restoration, both physically and in your spirit.
    I pray for Denise, too, as she serves God by serving you. May He be her well of strength when her own has run dry.

    Like

  32. I can only imagine how difficult it would be to keep one’s spirits up going through all this. I pray for strength for Michael and Denise.

    Like

  35. The insight and encouragement I’ve received from reading Michael’s blog has been beyond words, and I remain always grateful. I am praying for you both in this time, for healing and our Lord’s presence and peace.

    Like

  36. My husband and I don’t know you, but Michael’s writing has been very important to me in my Christian journey. I bumped into his blog back in the “pit stop” days.

    We pray for your family every day.

    Like

Leave a comment