(This is not an easy post for me to write and it comes after many tears and much prayer.)
Mike has been sick now since last July... 9 months and counting. After much discussion and encouragement from his medical team back in September, he (very) reluctantly realized he would not be able to work in the capacity he used to and would need to file for disability. It crushed him and one night I just held him as he had tears in his eyes apologizing to me because "this is not how it's supposed to be". It truly was one of THE hardest things he's ever done.
Fast forward... About 2 weeks ago you may have seen that I posted on Facebook his disability application was denied by the Social Security Administration. It stated "while your disease process significantly limits you and makes it difficult for you to have gainful employment, you are able to do simple tasks". Gotta love it! We were warned that the first application would more than likely be denied and we'd have to appeal, but we were very frustrated regardless. Our attorney filed our appeal last week and advised us that the whole process could take up to 18 MONTHS!
While we are very thankful to have health insurance through my work, we have now been down one entire income for 9 months. And now, we're told it could be up to ANOTHER 18 months before some of that income is replaced. The copays, coinsurances, deductibles, over the counter medications, travel to and from Mayo, and living expenses keep adding up and the burden has become difficult. We have been praying about Mike's illness and the financial impact it has had on us daily, several times a day even. Just pleading with God to show us the way, show us how to just "make it" from week to week and to show us encouragement along the way. Some days are harder than others... but we keep pressing on.
Last week was Easter. I spent a great deal of time through the week reading about what Jesus went through for us, how he suffered and what that suffering meant for me. One verse really stuck out to me and as I've prayed about Mike this week it just keeps coming back to me. Luke 23:26 reads "As they led him away (Jesus), they (Roman soldiers) seized Simon from Cyrene, who was on his way in from the country, and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus.". You see, even Jesus needed help carrying His cross in crisis. Jesus didn't say "No, I can do it myself!"... he humbled himself and when he couldn't carry his cross anymore someone helped him. How relieved he must have felt to have that heavy burden lifted, even for just a short while. As I pondered this, I realized that if Jesus needed help carrying His cross... we can admit when we need help carrying ours and I began to pray about that specifically.
Last October, dear friends of ours in North Carolina held a garage sale/silent auction benefit to help us get Mike to Colorado for a consult with a leading surgeon. Along with that benefit, this website was set up for those who couldn't make it or wanted to just donate directly. We both had forgotten about it and Mike even though that the site was taken down after the benefit, But, last week we had a random notification that someone wanted to privately donate. (Coincidence? I tend to think not.). We went to it and looked, and sure enough, it's still open through the end of July. It is now updated with new information on how Mike is and where things lie with his plan of care.
As always, our biggest need is prayer, I believe that God is still a God who performs miracles and can heal Mike completely, restoring him 100%. But, if you are able to and have a desire to financially contribute, you can do so through the YouCaring page and know that the funds received are helping to ease the burden of treatment related expenses and the debt it has generated. Also, if you feel led to do so, please share with friends and family and ask them to pray about helping.
We thank you for walking this path, and praying with us along the way!
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