Jill and I met with Dr. Pippas and my latest CT scans this week. We heard some good news: looks like my scans are stable. And, we heard some scary news: my colon and my gallbladder are both extremely inflamed, painful and uncomfortable, probably due to several months of daily 60-milligram doses of Cabometyx, a powerful tyrosine kinase inhibitor cancer drug. I am weighing in at around 180 pounds, 80 pounds short of where I was when I took my first dose. I can’t eat. I throw up several times every day. Diarrhea is a daily occurrence and I am scared to death that the tumor in my spine is going to bust loose on me again and do what it can to take my legs from me.
So, that’s what is going on in my world. It is frightening as hell and I wouldn’t wish this on my worst enemy. But, you know me, and my attitude is strong. I pray every day for healing for myself and others who are in this damned boat with me. Specifically, this is what I’m praying for: I need this tumor to get small enough to make the way clear for me to have spine stabilizing surgery and also radiation. I’m sending these latest scans to Dallas, Tex. to the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center to be reviewed by a surgery/radiation team. I’m also sending them to Munich, Germany to Dr. Michael Kaehler, a renowned kidney cancer surgeon who has taken me on — thanks be to God.
I haven’t posted in quite a while, so I am letting all my readers know that I’m still kicking. I hope you will give me some room as I try to work my way through these latest trials and tribulations. My zest for communication has worn thin. I know it will return, and I hope you’ll join me when it does.
Carol Ann says
Sending prayers. Good to hear from you.
Barbara Moushon says
Prayers for healing and continued blessings of your amazing attitude. God be with you and all of your family. You are an inspiration
Peggy Gray says
Oh Mike, you are such a trooper & an inspiration to us all!! I pray for you daily & will continue to do so! You (& Jill) have been on my mind a lot lately, since it’s been so long from your last post, I’ve begun to worry!! It hurts my heart to know how much pain you’re in! I pray these Doctors will find a rainbow in one of those scans & can proceed accordingly!! Much love my friend, Peggy
Carole Rutland says
Praying for you…I need you in my corner as we start MEEF for 2017-18. Need your inspiration. Love you Mike!
Gwen Ruff says
Prayers and love to you and Jill. Believing for a full and speedy healing for you. Thanks be to God.
Missy Lott says
I have missed your updates but I still pray hard and heavy for you and sweet Jill. You are such an inspiration to SO many!
Jessica Barrick says
Prayers for healing and health. Your strength and grace are inspirational. Peace…
Gayla Phillips Ahlquist says
Prayers continue for defeating this monster. I’m in your corner.
Charlotte says
Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us. You are an inspiration and I pray for you every day. Don’t give up
Liz and Tom Kendrick says
Dear Mike
Bless you and your faith, your strength and your undying love of Jill who nourishes you in all ways.
We’re so sorry you must endure this. God has a reason, though we don’t understand it, and we believe your goal of having that tumor shrink will happen and soon.
We understand much of what you feel, and pray for you on a daily basis.
Sending you and Jill our love and prayers.
Ron Davidson says
Good to hear from you. You and Jill are in our thoughts!
Callie says
Glad for the update. Sorry for the trials and tribulations. Wish I could take a turn bearing the brunt so you could get a $@&%ing break. Guess it doesn’t work that way, huh? I will just carry on loving you fiercely from afar, looking forward to the day when we can once again toast to our best friend, NED. Peace, strength, love, and health to you and yours.
Jodi Palmer says
Sending much love and many prayers for you and Jill. God’s peace.
Dot says
Prayers continue, Mike ~
Paula Acton says
Thanks for the update. Sending love, prayers,and hugs to you and Jill.
Brenda Rushing French says
Thanks for communicating with us and thanks for posting the picture of the Turner’s. I join you in praying to kick cancer’s butt. Because I believe laughter is healing….“A cheerful heart is good medicine but a crushed spirit dries up the bones” Proverbs 17:22 NIV of the Bible. I share with you a story I heard recently. A man was riding down the highway in his sports car driving a really fast. He noticed the blue lights in his rear view mirror. The state trooper pulled him over and said man I get off work in 15 minutes. If you can give me a reason I have never heard before for speeding I will let you go with a warning. Without missing a beat the driver said sir years ago my wife ran off with a state trooper. I was afraid you were bringing her back. Try to find something to laugh about each day. It boosts the immune system and decreases pain.
Martha Hatcher says
Daily prayers continue!
BJ Landen says
Prayers, Mike.
Patti Trotter says
I literally just finished praying for you and then read this. Thanks for the specifics of what our prayers need to be. You continue to be an inspiration, Mike.
Becky Ivey says
My love and prayers to you and Jill.
Karen Lewis says
We love you Mike. God hears our prayers.
Barbara Marks says
Sweet Mike it was so wonderful to hear from you. Andy and I continue to keep you in our prayers
daily. Stay strong and know that God has you and Jill covered. He is always there, right beside you. Stay strong our friend and know that you are greatly loved. Barbara and Andy
Marian says
Thanks for the update. A lot of people are holding you and Jill in their hearts and praying for you to beat cancer — and for a cure.
Bonni Davidson says
Prayers for strength and healing, Mike. Keep your strength up.
Guy Sims says
Praying for you to be healed and that you will be able to have the back stablizing surgery.
Cyndy Cerbin says
We know you’ll be back … in good health and with inspirational words. Take your time. Continuing to send my love and best wishes for living in comfort and peace.
Nancy Arrington Flournoy says
Our club gets bigger on a daily basis. You continue to be an inspiration to all of us in this battle. Keep fighting in Gods name and he will not fail you.
Ann Blondheim says
You will stay in my prayers.
Susan Hall says
Understood. My heart aches however I continue to pray for your recovery. You are a true warrior!
Scott boyce says
Mike, thanks for the update. Prayers for you.
Jeff says
Hang in there mate, we all need a lot of space sometimes to get our head and heart into the right mindset, its overwhelming sometimes, but hay, you have a lot of lovely people all around the world fighting this disease, and we all know and sympathize with you. Hugs
Bunky Clark says
Charles and I have you and Jill in our prayers!
Bunky Clark says
Charles and I have you and Jill in our prayers!
Tammy Solter says
Sending prayers and hugs…hang in there!
Jo McDaniel says
Still praying, still loving.
Pat Daniel says
Thanks for letting us know how you are and what to pray for. We keep you both in our prayers every day.
Susan Chriss says
Mike, you and Jill are in my thoughts and prayers.
Betsy Lawrence says
We are praying for healing! You are not alone as we are on this journey with you. Sending love.
Margie Ivey says
Thanks for the update. I’ve been looking for one. So glad things look stable, but sorry for all the side effects. Many prayers for you.
Janet Sue Gibson Gray says
Will patiently wait as you crawl through this trench. All the while praying for you -‘peace beyond all understanding’. No fear. You are so strong. Keep focusing on the visualation of good health.
Cindi says
Continuing to pray that all your prayers are answered. We are in your corner, always.
Steve Scott says
Adding my prayers friend. You are a true soldier! Inspiring to others.
Ann Findlater says
Keep up the fight Mike. You are my inspiration when I have a not so good day. I haven’t had all the sickness that you have and am so sorry that you have had to go through that. You have been in my prayers and will continue to be.
Pat says
Mike and Jill, my prayers with you daily. I know what you are dealing with is scary but I know you are a big fighter. You have a wonderful support system and I am praying to God Almighty to keep you fighting. Love to you and Jill
Cindy and Neal says
So sorry you are having such a difficult time.
We continue to pray for healing for you.we love you and Jill.
Susan M. Grist says
You are one tough guy, thoughts and prayers for you. Hope Jill’s hand/wrist is better, by the way. You have a renowned medical team and many, many people pulling for you. God bless.
Jane Jones says
Prayers for you both and more for good doctors reports ahead.
Karen Zacharias says
Mike & Jill: You are so well-loved because you both have loved so well. May all the good you have poured upon others be a flood that washes over you, imparting to you both a cleansing, healing hope. Prayers today, tomorrow and the next. Prayers until that healing comes. Then prayers of gratitude.
Kaye Kyle says
Praying for you, Jill, and the boys.
Cathy Alford says
May you know the peace of God’s breath in every moment and feel the power of His healing touch. I pray it is so. Much love to you and Jill.
Susan Head says
Mike, you and Jill are very much in our thoughts and prayers!
Melanie says
Love you little buddy:)
Connie Jackson says
Thanks for the update and just keep on truckin’………………
Ann McDuffie says
My prayers are raised to our wonderful Father for your tumor to shrink. I am amazed at your strength and pray that you continue to sustain with support from your army of prayer warriors.
Susie Coram Ford says
Mike,
I’m praying for your continued physical and spiritual strength, and for healing.
Susan Hamby says
Mike, Ron and I continue to hold you in our hearts and our prayers!
Pat Kelley says
Prayers for you, Mike! You are an amazing fighter and an inspiration to so many!
Marion Scott says
Mike and Jill,
Keeping you in thoughts and prayers – every day.
Julie Chandler says
Mike-so good to see you at St. Thomas recently. I pray for you and Jill and everyone you touch- it’s a healthy list. I read Brenda’s post and believe she is right about laughter being helpful. Thanks to her I now know a clean joke. Mine are not clean enough to post, unfortunately. I miss hearing your laugh and when you would share your favorite new artist and their music on the way to lunch. I tell jokes better with a drink or two in me, so give me a head’s up if you need a laugh. I don’t know that it would fly as stand up, but happy to help in any way. Love you both.
Scooter MacMillan says
Mike, so sorry for what you’re going through. You are an inspiration! You are in my thoughts and prayers!
Debbie Hinman says
Take care Mike! We all will be here for you! Rest and pray while we all are praying for you and your sweet family. You are a great fighter with many supporters.
Chuck Hasty says
I keep lifting you up as you keep lifting us by your candor, faith and fight. Love to you and Jill!
Cathy Bickerstaff says
Rennie & I are thinking of you and Jill, especially as we are in Marciano at Casa Bambini this week with friends from Nashville. We hope you receive encouragement from TX and other sources. We think of what you have battled thus far and pray for strength and a cure. God is able to accomplish what we think is impossible.
Pat Barfield says
You are so inspiring!
Nancy Boyd says
Mike, Jim and my prayers continue for you and Jill and all your family. You have shown so much strength through this entire ordeal you’ve been through. I feel that God still has a lot left for you to accomplish.
Chuck Cumiskey says
You inspire my daughter, Mike. ‘Nuff said.
We’re all with you.
Chuck
Judith Comer says
Prayers for you, Mike. May every healthy cell in your body be enhanced by the healing power of Christ’s love, and may every cell that is harming you be destroyed by the fire of that same love. Holding you up to Light.
John Adams says
Prayers for – you and Jill – for your family – for docs and support teams – for strength – for surgery – for hope to abound – for peace – for courage – for healing – for GOD’S LOVE TO BE EVER PRESENT TO ALL! Shalom
Bill and Judy Mullins says
Hi Mike,
Long time no see. So sorry to read about your fight with cancer. Praying that you will conquer this evil disease. God give you strength to keep on fighting this battle!
Fran says
Thank you for the up date. Praying for you and Jill! All the test will be a great testimony one day! Bless you!
TOMMY WORTHY says
KEEP THE FAITH, MIKE AND JILL! PRAYER WORKS.
Jo Ann Beck says
Continue to pray for tumor to shrink and successful treatment
John says
Keep fighting, don’t give up. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Give the tumors hell!
John says
I love your fighting spirit Mike and your courage to write all of this and get it all out in print. I was a little bit behind you but I remember you well from Hardaway As it turns out, my wife has battled breast cancer this year… So far successfully… But of course we never know… It is truly in gods hands