From Kathryn and Brian

Saturday morning, Nov. 22, 2008

Dearest Mike,

YOu are gone now, too quickly and too painfully, but through your whole ordeal you have been an inspiration of courage, determination, hopefulness and good humor. Words are inadequate to express how much you will be missed. I still feel your bear hugs and see your smile.

Gloria and Hans, Brian and I send our deepest-felt condolences. And, thanks, GLoria, for setting up this blog where friends could know what was happening medically, cheer you both on and tell Mike how much he was loved. I"m sure he knew how much he was cared for both at home, at church, and in the larger universe. And we all know that love is most important in the end.

Gloria, what a lover, friend and helpmate you have been--always at Mike's side through this difficult and tragic experience. Because of your care and affection, strength and knowledge, he was able to live his last years to the fullest with good cheer. I am sure he is in Heaven now, preparing the way for you with hymns of praises. Much love, Kathryn and Brian

From Fred

Gloria and Hans...

I think Max Ehrmann has it right...

"You are a child of the Universe, no less than the moon and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the Universe is unfolding as it should." (Desiderata) Let us know when you need us there. Fred

From Robert

Mike, the funny and generous uncle in London, Paris, New York. You are part of many adventures for me Mike! I continue to learn from you.

Peace and love and thanks to you.

Rob

From Aki

Dear Mike and Gloria,

You are going through a difficult yet most amazing journey together.
Please be comforted knowing that you are surrounded by warmest and kindest thoughts and prayers.
I would like to send this to you right away via e-mail.

With love,

Aki

From Nancy Kreisler

Moments of Awareness

Helen Lowrie Marshall

So much of life we all pass by

With heedless ear, and careless eye.

Bent with our cares we plod along,

Blind to the beauty, deaf to the song.

But moments there are when we pause to rest

And turn our eyes from the goal’s far crest.

We become aware of the wayside flowers,

And sense God’s hand in this world of ours.

We hear a refrain, see a rainbow’s end,

Or we look into the heart of a friend.

We feel at one with mankind. We share

His griefs and glories, joy and care.

The sun flecks gold through the sheltering trees,

And we shoulder our burdens with twice the ease.

Peace and content and a world that sings

The moment of true awareness brings.

afterglow

Helen Lowrie Marshall

I’d like the memory of me

To be a happy one.

I’d like to leave an afterglow

Of smiles when day is done.

I’d like to leave an echo

Whispering softly down the ways,

Of happy times, and laughing times

And bright and sunny days.

I’d like the tears of those who grieve

To dry before the sun

Of happy memoires I leave

Behind – when day is done.

Nancy Kreisler

From Joyce

Dear Gloria and Mike,

I just read your latest blog and want you both to know that Ralph and I are thinking about you and keeping you in our prayers. We're sorry you are in so much pain Mike. It must be hard to deal with that on a continual basis. I hope it helps to know that others care.

Our love to both of you,

Joyce

From Kate Eaton (O'Neal)

Aunt Gloria and Uncle Mike,



I love you and I will be thinking of you both often, as I have been in the last week or so. You have been so strong and brave through this and I wish I could be there to give you both a hug and kiss. Here is a picture of Sabine blowing a kiss to you- hope it brings you some cheer.



I also wanted to let you know that my dad showed me how to update your blog while he was out of town last summer so I’ll double check it every day to be sure it stays up to date even while my dad is out of town.



Love you lots,

Kate

From Kathryn and Brian

Dear Mike,

We're thinking about you and praying for you as you undergo treatment. We hope you feel better soon.

Lots of love,
Kathryn and Brian Summers

Update from Gloria

Tonight Mike and I decided to start hospice here in our home. I don't know the details, but the doctor's office will start things rolling tomorrow. For now, Mike is on a new pain med which helps the pain as long as he doesn't move much. This is a decision we made together. When he can have visitors, I'll update again. In the meantime, I know he'd enjoy cards and I'll read him the blog everyday. My brother Fred, who manages the blog for me is out of town, but, hopefully he can get this on soon. Thanks for all of your messages to Mike. Mike won't be checking his AIG email, so the blog is the way to let him know you're thinking of him. Our home email is twoshermans@optonline.net. Mike and I are not afraid, but sad that our time together with Hans as a family is to be so short...GLO

Update from Gloria

Mike came home from the hospital yesterday noon after prooving he could walk up and down the hall and not drop his blood's oxygen level too much. He sees the oncologist tomorrow. The main problem is pain control. We should know tomorrow about the nature of the fluid that was drained. Keep thinking of us!...GLO

Update from Gloria

Mike came home from the hospital today. It was touch and go in terms of whether he could be discharged. At one point he had a deal with the hospitalist on duty that had something to do with Mike's copy of the new Friedman book...Hot, Flat and Crowded. IN the end he didn't have to give up the book as he BARELY made the lower limit of oxygen saturation in the bood to let him go home. He has an appointment with the oncologist Tuesday for follow-up and to see if he needs another procedure, which requires another hospitalization. The biggest problem is his pain. The IV dilaudid every two hours got rid of most of the pain, but we"re having to be a bit more creative here at home. The visit to the radiation doc has to be put off because of all this respiratory mess, so not sure what comes next for pain control.

He and I were very glad to get home. He's, hopefully, asleep after a mixture of meds that seems as if it might be from that game young people play where they empty all of their parents' prescription drugs into a bowl and take a handful.

I'll write another update after the appointment Tuesday...GLO

From Gloria

Today Mike was admitted to the hospital with shortness of breath and fluid around his right lung, which will be drained tomorrow. That should make him breathe more easily. When that fluid is tested we'll have more information on the progress of the cancer. In the meantime he gets lots IV pain meds and he is really funny.

Gloria

From Fred to all those who have supported Mike and Gloria

This morning (Thursday) Mike was taken to the hospital. He is on heavy pain medication, with low oxygen and fluid in his lungs. Gloria and Mike both are so grateful for all of your thoughts, prayers and support, and now they need them more than ever.

Fred

From Aki

Hi Gloria and Mike,

How are you?

I would like to share with you a fresh photo that my brother in Japan sent to me.

Aki

From Sharon

Dear Mike,

Just wanted you to know that I am thinking of you. I can not sleep and was thinking about how lonely you must feel on this journey you are on...that many times must feel like the dark of the middle of the night. I also know that there are times when you do not feel alone, as you have the unwavering devotion of your wife, and so very many friends, of which I am proud to be one. At those times of aloneness, just think of The Little Engine That Could.

Love, Sharon

Update from Glo

Thursday Mike started his new chemo regime of Taxotere. He also got an injection of a medication to increase production of red blood cells. He's pretty anemic, which is why he's very tired. The pains in this back and upper chest are getting harder to control without making him too drowsy, but I think it's just a matter of finding the right combination of meds, in the right dose, at the right time. Just? Well, I do think it's "doable". If needed, he can have some radiation to specific areas for pain relief. He may soon start on a medication that will stimulate bone growth which won't kill the cancer cells, but will make the bone stronger and take up space that the cancer cells can't take. I'm sure it's more complicated than that, but that's the idea, anyway.

He remains positive, works everyday in some way, either from home or at the office. I don't know how he keeps going the way he does, but he's sleeping well. He's NOT eating well, but he has little appetite and gets full quickly. I, on the other hand, am eating like a horse!

Keep the notes and cards coming. We appreciate all of them...GLO

From Ron

Dear Mike,



I know you are back on another chemo cycle. I really admire your strength and resilience and the way in which you stayed engaged and focused on key issues throughout Nic’s meeting this week.



You are in our thoughts and prayers and we all look forward to your return to the 26th floor.



With warmest regards,

Ron

From Douglas Phillips

Mike--
Sorry this has taken so long to write. I want you to know how much I admire you. You've been a real teacher and example for me about grace, courage and your God-given capacity to bend, but not break. Throughout this whole time, your steadfastness, resilient faith and indefatigable sense of humor have borne you well through the storm.
Thanks also for modeling for me how to be a better husband, father and yes, a Stephen Minister. I know the reason it has been such an easy transition for me with our mutual friend is because of the competent and compassionate care you gave him first.
Of course, because of you, he also expects me to start drinking with him. I'm in trouble now! One more way in which I'll never be able to measure up to you!
Love, blessings, thanks and lots of continued hope and prayers for you, my friend.