10/9/07 11:45 pm
October 9, 2007 at 11:53 pm 19 comments
i got confirmation just this evening that mike is scheduled for surgery to insert his baclofen pump on thursday, october 18. they said it will be an ovenight stay at allexian in elk grove village. then he will be home with a month of dose adjustments to follow. we are both eager. other news… everything i have heard about the golf outing for the mike zegarski foundation on September 30 proclaims it was an enormous enjoyable success. and mike got to go to church with us this past sunday for the first time since march 2006. he was as comfortable as he gets through the service and lit up with a smile when the pastor singled him out, teasing him for being lax on attending lately. one debilitating frustration lately–mike is intent on getting things to ingest and i am begging him to focus on exercising his tongue from side to side or back and forth to improve his control of substances in his mouth. he is angry he can’t do the exercises and be rewarded with something to drink within the same day. he has a long way to go before it would be safe to give him anything to ingest. my patience with his irrational requests is wearing thin and i want him to simply stop begging and start working. i have asked him to see where a month of hard work gets him–maybe he would even pass a swallow test if he commits to practicing wholeheartedly. he finds a month of work beyond reasonable and i find such a short range perspective from him unreasonable. so our conversations are strained but thank God we do still enjoy our episodes of 24 together. in need of patience and grace, michelle
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Mike Zegarski 
1.
Heather Z. | October 10, 2007 at 8:16 am
Michelle,
I have learned more from Mike and you than I will probably ever learn from anyone else about faith and following Christ. Everytime we have a phone conversation or I read your words on this site or I read the words of countless others whose lives are changed because of the grace and perseverance you and Mike are living, I feel shame for how I live my life daily and yet so proud to be a part of your family!
Praise God for answering our prayers about the pump and we will continue to pray for great success with it! I can’t wait to see you all at Thanksgiving! Love you all!
Heather
2.
Jane Ice | October 10, 2007 at 8:19 am
Hi Michelle,
I read your entry for October 4th and 9th. I mentally try to imagine your day and all the effort and energy it takes. The fact that you were at the point of not being that curteous or responsive to the visiting “Christian Encourager” let me actually feel a little closer to the strain you have been under. I feel strain in my life too and that’s with all of us healthy and living our normal, comfortable lives. So you continue to help me realize that Jesus needs to remain at the front of our lives in sickness and in health. I do thank God every morning and throughout my day for all that I have. I am more thankful than ever. And you are a part of that. Not because of your struggles, but because of your constant thanks and praise you give through it all. I know you both must get so weary. I felt it just reading your entries on those days. But try to rememeber that when the day ends and your head is spinning or tired or numb, it’s ok that you didn’t welcome the visitor from your Church the way you would have liked to. It’s ok that you lost patience for a moment either with your kids or Mike or yourself. You are allowed to be imperfect. It all comes full circle. You have shown such patience in your entries from the very beginning, so I think you’ve earned days where it just can’t all come together. So when you feel worn out, it’s a gift of love and friendship and support that you can count on from all walks, to let you just be. No judgements, just prayer and support.
The golf outing was so nice. I got to talk to Mike’s Dad and tell him how we are praying every day for all of you. A lot of friends and family were there and it was a beautiful show of love and faith and support.
Take good care, you are in good hands. I’m praying for all new surgeries and procedures and adjustments to be positive.
Sincerely,
Jane Ice
3.
Barbara Gobrail | October 10, 2007 at 4:57 pm
This past summer, I walked past a shop window which had a tee shirt that said: ” cherish the journey.” I returned the following week after thinking abut what it said and of course, it no longer was in the window. However, I did find one on the back table, but it was much more that I would ever pay for a tee shirt. But I know God was smiling because the tag had a website listed. At home, I went to the website and ordered that same tee shirt at half what the local store was asking! I now hang or wear the tee shirt in front of me and am encouraged by the realization that Jesus is walking with me and He wants me to “cherish the journey!” Michelle, I find your works so encouraging!
4.
Heather Schmidt | October 10, 2007 at 5:09 pm
We will pray that Mike does his exercises and that then he can reap the benefits. Praise God for all that has happened this past month. Prayers for the upcoming surgery! God Bless all of you!
Love and prayers,
Heather
5.
Mary Stadler | October 11, 2007 at 6:56 pm
You are in my prayers and I will pray for patience for you and deteremination for Mike. Glad to see you are able to get out!
6.
Cata Ingalls | October 11, 2007 at 7:48 pm
Hi Michelle and Mike,
So good to hear about the Baclofen pump and I pray that it will
relax muscles so that restorative therapy can be accomplished!
You’re seem hard on yourself Michelle but like us all you are human. I myself am always so excited when I realize that God chooses to use us anyway and does so in a powerful way. And so it is with you. May his grace and mercy be your covering.
Mike, your words may be few but also encouraging. When I am fretting about Rob off at college so far away, I remember what you said when we visited-“He’s ready.” He was meeting with a YL leader at OSU yesterday so your work continues.
You remain always in my prayers.
Cata
7.
Debbby Baumhower | October 12, 2007 at 11:30 am
Ditto with Heather for this day.
Plus,
moving the tongue seems so unconscionable! Okay, Mike, get going!!
lv, db
8.
Anne and Matt Walker | October 12, 2007 at 1:19 pm
We knew 24 would grow to be an important part of your lives 🙂 I can’t decide if I’m surprised Mike wants to do something without making sure it it going to be done excellently or it that’s typical, determined Mike. I was having a conversation with a co-worker about Christians who feel the need to look like they have it all together and she was getting frustrated wanting something more real and genuine. Thank you for being real and a living example of 2 Corinthians 12:9.
PS Thanks also for the encouraging note! We’re still adjsuting, but things are going well. No news to report.
Love,
The Walkers
9.
Nancy Cartabiano | October 15, 2007 at 8:40 pm
Hey Michelle,
I am going to add another perspective that maybe will help you step back, take a deep breath and just feel the presence of Our Father. One year ago, how wonderful would it have been if you were having irrational discussions with Mike about the type of exercises he should be focusing on. Wow, how far he has come!
Interaction, here we come, and once again we are reminded that it’s God’s time frame. Extra blessings to you, the caregiver!!!!
nancy c
10.
Mishel | December 1, 2009 at 8:42 pm
I cant believe that person like u talking about GOD.U have to pray day and night so he can forgive u for everything u have done YOUR family and all other people.You are meanest person on the earth,but there is GOD who watching you Nancy Cartabiano
11.
Dave | October 16, 2007 at 2:04 pm
I am consistently encouraged by the progress that Mike is making. It is so important for me to keep up with Mike’s life. Michelle we have learned so much from you and we are so encouraged by your commitment and persistents. You are consistently in our prayers.
When you have a chance can you email me your current mailing address. I would like to send Mike some pictures and also write him from time to time. Our email is Etling14@hotmail.com. If someone reads this and knows their address please forward it to my email.
Dave
12.
Heather | October 17, 2007 at 3:18 pm
Just wanted you to know that we will be praying for you all tomorrow! Prayers for everything to go smoothly, for all involved with Mike tomorrow and that you may feel God’s peace surround you all day. Blessings! Heather
13.
Emily | October 17, 2007 at 3:28 pm
Praying that tomorrow goes as smoothly as possible….and that Mike gets that tongue to “wag”!!!
Love,
Emily
14.
Debbie Dixon | October 17, 2007 at 8:54 pm
Michelle-joining in prayer for smooth surgery and good results. Peace for you and Mike. Love, Debbie
15.
Kim | October 17, 2007 at 9:20 pm
We said a prayer at our Knox youth group tonight for you Mike! So many hearts are linked to your family tonight and all day tomorrow. Hang in there bud! Love, Kim
16.
kari rodriguez | October 18, 2007 at 7:08 am
On my mind, in my heart and prayers all day today!
Love,
Karin Rodriguez
17.
Matt K | October 18, 2007 at 2:20 pm
Praying for you today!
M
18.
Janice Rubin | October 18, 2007 at 10:04 pm
Praying for healing, rest, peace.
No fear! HOPE!
I pray that the God who gives hope will fill you with much joy and peace while you trust in Him. Then your hope will overflow by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13
19.
Mishel | December 1, 2009 at 8:43 pm
We pray for you!God is with us