Sunday, July 26, 2009

July 2009: The long awaited diagnosis

No one ever thinks that something like this will ever happen to their family, especially to the one person on Earth that means the most to them. A few of you are aware that Mike has not been able to swallow solid food since late April. There has been a long chain of events that has brought us to a recent diagnose that my incredible, faithful, loving husband - my champion- Michael has Multiple Sclerosis. I can't even write this without crying. It has been a heart-wrenching time the past little while full of an array of emotions I'm sure you can imagine.

Mike and I are fairly private people but at this time we are inviting others into our lives to help sustain us. I truly know that it is often through the hands of others that prayers are answered.

Mike has been optimistic and hopeful, as normal for him, throughout this entire process despite being disappointed & left unknowing for so long, hungry, exhausted, poked by needles of all sizes multiple times, and pushed to his physical limit through countless tests. I think I have had a rougher time of dealing with this outcome than he has. I think you can be tougher when it is yourself that is in pain, but watching someone you love so much go through all of this and imagining what may come next for him has been very, very difficult. I think I have been going through a type of mourning; mourning for the loss of dreams and expectations of what I thought Mike's life and our life together would hold.

But through the mercy of my loving and omniscient Heavenly Father and my deep rooted testimony in the knowledge of what Jesus Christ's life, suffering, death, and resurrection mean I have hope that that life ahead of us will bring joy, refining, and a revealing of Mike and I's true and best nature as God sees it.

We take our official first step into this life battling the effects of MS as Mike starts his injections tomorrow. I ask for your thoughts and prayers in his behalf as he is quite anxious to how his body will react. I also ask for your patience as I learn to be comfortable talking openly about such a difficult subject. I think just writing this was a needed step in the right direction for me.

Mike's family has asked him to create a blog updating them on what is going on, which he has and invites you to read it if you wish:
http://mybutifnot.blogspot.com/

I am sure you all have lots of questions: some of which may be answered on Mike's blog, others possibly by this site by the National MS Society a friend referred me to, and still others may need an individual response which I hope I may be able to answer.

Thank you all for your listening ear and caring hearts.
Briana

12 comments:

  1. Oh, Briana! What news! I'm so sorry to hear it. I will be thinking of you and checking often for updates!

    ReplyDelete
  2. We will be praying for your family. With Mike's great cooking skills I'm sure it's been so hard for him to not be able to eat. I had no idea you were worried about anything. Thanks for sharing so we can keep you in our thoughts and prayers.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Briana, Continue to be brave. Thanks for sharing, so we can pray for and support you. While I may not always know what to say, I know I can love and pray for you.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your sweet family! You guys are greatly missed around here!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Please know that I love you my dear Briana. I know your strength and determination. Call on those gifts and you will be well. Our love and prayers are with Mike and you at this time of trial.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I think sometimes the most courageous thing you can do when you're having a hard time is to reach out and ask for help. I'm sorry. I hope you will both be comforted.

    ReplyDelete
  7. My Dear Brianna~ I cried to read the news! I am so sorry! I deeply admire your faith and optimism, it has and will prove SUCH a power for good! We will keep your sweet family in our prayers. I hope that we will be able to see you guys for a bit in Septmeber when we are out there (Oceanside/San Diego/Disneyland) after Labor Day. I love the family photo at the top of your blog. You look strong. You are strong. I love ya!

    ReplyDelete
  8. We are so sorry to hear about Mike. We will be praying for your family. My Uncle was recently found out that he also has MS, I can't imagine how scary this must be. Keep the faith, we will be praying for you.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Briana--your strength and faith floor me. While I haven't faced a trial quite as frightening as the one you and Mike are facing, I know that submission to an all-loving Heavenly Father during dark moments opens floodgates of revelation, comfort, and miracles. Your beautiful family will not for a single moment be left unsustained. Know we'll be praying like crazy for you--hugs from TX!

    ReplyDelete
  10. I left on comment on the your other blog. We are here for your family. We love you guys so much and are praying for your family. I know that your family will be lifted and carried through this :) Thank you for your faith...and example

    ReplyDelete
  11. Briana- Thanks so much for sharing. I appreciate your openness. I will keep your family in my prayers! Love ya!

    ReplyDelete
  12. I stumbled upon your blog via Pinterest. As one Christian sister to another, let me just say that although I'm just reading your post now in 2013, my heart breaks for you just as it would have if I read your thoughts in 2009. Praying for you, your family, and your marriage. Thank you for being brave enough to share and for inviting the body of Christ to come around you and support you <3

    ReplyDelete

LinkWithin

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...