Jill and I decided to make a road trip out of our upcoming journey out to Houston’s M. D. Anderson Cancer Center. We travel well together. Easy, like a Sunday morning. Amish grocery stores, funky shops, great local restaurants way off the beaten path and maybe an occasional casino might catch our attention for either a few minutes or a few hours. We haven’t done that for a while, so we decided to get some good face time while we’re getting some windshield time as we nervously await the news of where this cancer journey is going to take us.
I know we have the love of this community going with us, like the Verizon network. Every day, someone approaches me to wish us good luck and Godspeed. More often than not, I don’t remember their name, but they know me and they are pulling for good news for us. That is the power of love.
We’ll be blogging along the way with my iPhone, so it will be brief until we get to our hotel. I will log an extensive post after we’ve had a chance to experience M. D. Anderson’s world-class reputation and get to visit with Dr. Pagliaro. Since it is almost a certainty that the adrenal gland tumor is a renal cell carcinoma metastasis, we’ll be praying for three things:
• We get to work with surgeon, Dr. Christopher Wood
• We get a quick surgical date
• That they also get a chance during this surgery to biopsy the cyst/tumor/suspicious spot on Strainer
Regardless of your religious persuasion, Jill and I will appreciate your prayers, your best wishes, your good karma, your monster mojos, your blessings or a tip of your beer on Monday, July 16. That is the day that will determine our future.
Sorry for this short post, but the real reason for it is to test my blog’s notification system. Many, many of you have reported that although you used to get email notifications of a new post, you’re not getting them any more. Others have said they’ve never gotten them even though they subscribed. Our IT consultant has tweaked the settings and he thinks he’s been able to alleviate some of the notification problems.
I really don’t know how to do this. Maybe this would work: If you notice something different (hopefully better) about a notification for this post, please post a comment on the blog to that effect. If I don’t hear some good news on that front, we’ll continue to try to find a good way to let people know when there is new content here.
BORDEN says
Best of luck. Let me know if there is anything I can do to help while you are away.
Judy W says
Your prayers are our prayers.
Neil says
Debi and I will be praying for the best outcome possible for you and Jill. Love you both….
Cyndy says
“Easy like Sunday morning” and “Power of Love” are both great songs to fill my head this morning. Will be singing for you all the way.
Jean W. Thomas says
Greetings from Eufaula…I, along with others here in the Bluff City, will be thinking of both of you as you journey to M.D. Anderson…Good luck and hoping for Good news July 16th…Peace and Prayers to you as you travel to and from seeking answers.
Mary Starke says
Hi, neighbor. My thoughts and prayers are with you and Jill. Thanks for your plans to continue including so many folks in your journey. BTW, I did not get the usual email notification about this new post, but learned about it via Jill’s FB post. Didn’t we have some great skyworks in Seale yesterday!
Keith Murray says
I saw the link to the blog update on FB but to answer you question did not get an email alert of a blog update, and I *think* I am signed up. All the best…
Vic Cross says
Have a safe trip. Bet a buck on some gambling thing for me. Love you both. Vic Cross
Cindy DeHaven says
Hey old friend. My prayers are with you every day. God is good. He will protect and take care of you. You and Jill be safe and enjoy the ride out there.
Megan Richardson says
We’ve got ya covered up in prayers from our small corner of California. Best of luck on this next step.
Dianne Henry says
We are looking forward to seeing you Sunday and we will pray for all things wise and wonderful on your journey.
FYI, I got this thru FB, no email notice, like I got in the past.
Prayers and peace,
di
Carter Seaton says
West Virginia prayers are with you every step of the way from us and our fellow Presbyterian parishioners.
Rick McKnight says
Mike, you know we have been bombarding heaven. Great idea to make a road trip – with your best friend.
Chuck Williams says
Praying for you, Mikey. Hang tough, brother.
virginia pope says
Mike
Neal and I are so optimistic about your trip to m d anderson. Prayers and lots if love are sent your way.
Enjoy your time together.
we love you.
Mary Tilley Choi says
Hey Mike…I will be praying for you! I haven’t been recieving the blog notifications lately. I found your link on FB.
God Bless! Mary
Wanda Farish says
Praying for you and Jill, Mike! God’s not through teaching me life lessons so he’ll be keeping you around for a long time. I’m a really slow learner, you know!
Sheree says
Hi Guys-
Hope you get to enjoy your trip on the way to MD Anderson. Good thoughts and many prayers are going with you. love you—sheree
Carol Ann says
We are continuing to speak to God and
ask that he watch over you, Jill and the
doctors!
We will be working, working, working to exceed our
Goals so that you have one less thing to worry about!
What, no post about your beautiful addition, Zoe?
Barbara and Eric says
We are praying for you both on this journey. Road trip with your bf doesn’t get much better!! Be safe on the road.
Gloria Dodds says
We will all be anxiously waiting to hear good news from you. Found the link on FB. No email notification anymore.
Cindy Hodnette says
You are in my prayers and have a safe journey! be sure to eat some good TexMex out there in Texas. praying for good news!
Gwen says
Covering you and Jill in prayer and God’s blessings!
Allison Kennedy Owen says
Prayers and then some. We love us some Mike and Jill!
Marianne says
Fingers crossed that you will get positive news regarding your newest challenge. My husbands 8 and 1/2 year mark is coming up, yearly scans this month. Your courage and determination are inspiring.
Nelda says
Mike, I did not get a notice but saw the update on Jill’s FB page. Have a relaxed trip out there if that’s possible. Hopefully the heat will break somewhat for you. And thanks for keeping everyone up to date. Anxious to hear good news soon. Love you both.
Delane Chappell says
Love and prayers go with you, Mike and Jill.
Margie Ivey says
Good idea…enjoy! Prayers traveling with you.
Grandin says
Road trips are good…. Ya’ll enjoy every moment of it the relaxed and the suspenseful. Remember Suspense can end with good news too!!!! Look forward to news along the way. Prayer for good things on the 16th!!!!! – G
Roger Ashley says
Hey Mike, just fyi I have not been getting any notices till this one came in, hope your IT guy fixes this so I stay in the loop. Godspeed on the TX trip, be safe, praying for you both, Roger.
Becky Ivey says
Have been thinking about you both as I traveled home from Biltmore today. I have been praying without ceasing since Margie shared the news. Travel mercies and answers to your prayers are being petitioned on your behalf. Blessings to you both,