My heart is encouraged and lifted up this evening. Mike has decided to try and return to physical therapy tomorrow. He may not be able to do much more than find the energy to get in the car, and out at the office, but any step forward is positive.

Mike and I had a little talk when I got home from work today. I tried to explain he may never "feel" like eating, but he HAS to, in order to have any chance of staying in this fight..even if he throws it up because of getting choked. He can't give in to it. We talked about his dad's fight with cancer in 2001, and how quickly his dad's health plummeted when he decided to stop trying to eat when he didn't feel like it. I tried to explain to Mike it is only in desperation that I'm pleading with him to give it everything he's got....NOW!

Mike is extremely frail right now. He listened, and I'm grateful. Our former doctor must have had his ears burning, because Mike was just telling me he was going to ask Dr. H to take him to therapy tomorrow, when Dr. H called. Dr. H has been spending time with Mike the past few weeks, visiting with him at the house, and being such a comforter and friend. That has meant so much to Mike, and it has given me such a peace. I have so much respect for Dr. H, and I feel we're so blessed to have him in our life at this time, when we need him so much.

Anyway...send up a prayer tomorrow around 10 a.m., that Mike may feel well enough to tackle this challenge, and be encouraged to continue. If all we get are baby steps, I will be celebrating.

Mike has developed some chest congestion and is now on Levaquin. He has had a cough for a couple of weeks now, but we noticed the phlegm was not clear the past couple of days. Mike and I were up almost all evening last night with him coughing and choking. It is also the biggest reason why he's been throwing up. He gets choked and up comes everything. We need for him to get better in this area quickly, so please keep that in your prayers.

I have to praise God and thank all of you for praying! I have been noticing a few small things that gives me hope things may be doing a little better for Mike. I mentioned last night how the swelling is reducing in Mike's abdomen and how we haven't heard the crackling lately (although that sort of surprises me, seeing this phlegm). I've also noticed the biliary drain on the right side isn't leaking...which is not routine. I'll take any tiny blessing and ray of hope God offers. If it's less bandages...Yippee!!!

I'm confident God can heal Mike if it is within His will. I know He can improve things, and until HE tells me differently, I will cling to every ounce of hope I have to fight this with Mike. I have a lot of respect for doctors, and we have had many give us the death stare and even sock us in the gut with their words....but they are not the Ultimate Physician...and they don't have the last word. If God should take Mike home; of course I'll be devastated, and will be lost without him. But I will know deep in my heart, that an army of many, fought this battle with us, and we gave it everything we had.

Thank you for soldiering with us!