My heart breaks while typing each and every letter of this blog post.
Much as happened since our last blog post and we apologize for not sending out an update earlier.
After our latest trip to Houston a few weeks ago, Michele had her third chemotherapy treatment, a small procedure to remove some fluid in her belly, another oncology appointment, and had begun going to a health & wellness center the last few days to receive vitamins, supplements, and prepared soups/smoothies/juices.
We were hopeful and optimistic that she would begin to feel a bit better and start to build back strength, inch by inch.
However, Michele wants to suffer no more and doesn’t want any of us to have to suffer either. Now she, not cancer, is going to control her own path.
This disease has progressed faster than any of us have been able to process. The combination of the cancer, the toxicity of the treatments, and the side effects from all the medication have just made Michele so weak – even amidst our greatest efforts on every front, constant research, many conversations, and prayers.
And Michele fought, she fought like hell. Believe me, we saw it on a daily basis. I can’t tell you how proud of her we are.
And she continues to fight.
We have a consultation with hospice today to discuss making her as comfortable as possible for the time we have left – however long that may be. We will keep you all updated on the plan. In the meantime, we are all just enjoying her company and absorbing every moment.
If you want to send a message to Michele we will gladly read it to her. You can email it to us at: [email protected]
If you have any questions, please give myself, Bradley, or Scott a call.
I’ve learned love can often be a selfish thing. We want to love people in the context of how we want it to be. We want to hold on so tight to how we want the relationship to be, how we want the love to be. But, learning to love someone through their own decisions, even if that means deciding to suffer no more, that is truly a higher form of love.
Love,
Zach, Bradley, and Scott
17 responses to “Together, we can do anything.”
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My heart is breaking too as I read this message.
But you are so right: unselfish love requires letting go, albeit painfully so.
My thoughts and prayers are, and will continue to be, with Michele, and all who love her. -
Hey Zach,
Kevyn sent me the link to the blog. I’m just so sorry you and your family are going through this. I don’t know what to say but I just want you to know I’m thinking of you guys.
-Courtney (from SB)
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Deeply saddened to hear about your mother. My thoughts and prayers are with her and your family.
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Zak, my heart is breaking too…yet I also feel a hint of joy and I want to tell all of you–Zak, Bradley, Scott –how grateful I am that Michele has her family who will dig deeply and find courage beyond what they thought themselves capable of, courage to sustain them through their own pain to lovingly support her in her decision to bravely move into the next part of her life through a more comfortable, peaceful path. Now all 4 of you can attend to the experience of the coming precious moments. Bradley and Zak, how wonderful that your mother can know the strength, courage, and depths of love her sons have for her. Scott and Michele, what an amazing family…what a miracle is an amazing loving family. Please know that Dan and I do so love you.
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Special people accomplish special results and you all have been sooo amazing throughout this difficult journey! Michele, your Mom, has made a decision that you need to accept as what has become best under these difficult circumstances.
Know how much you are loved and cared about for all time.
My fondest love to you all
Linda and family -
Love you guys. All of you. Miles and I are thinking of you constantly, and sending love and strength to you for the days ahead. You are an amazing family, filled with so much love and light.
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We were very sorry to hear about Michele. Let your love and memories help you all through these tough days and know that Michele and your whole family are much loved and many people are praying for you all!
The Cherwitz Family -
Dear Zach and Bradley,
Your strength and resilience are gifts instilled and nourished by your remarkable Mom each and every day of your lives. She has prepared you well for this moment, and I feel certain that you will continue to inspire that trademark twinkle in her eyes whenever she thinks or speaks of you.
Zach, whenever you need to find a reason to smile, just break out that music video you produced at the beginning of this journey. That is a gift that will keep on giving!
Much love,
Ann-Marie -
Dear Scott, Bradley and Zach, My heart breaks for you each day. Michele and I used to do our work together in this little office I have attached to by bedroom. Since she told me of her illness, I cannot look at my office without thinking of the good times we had (when we should have been working). We laughed a lot,confided in each other, loved one another as best friends. She is indeed a brave women, not wanting you all to suffer any more with her. You all are an inspiration of how to show love in such an unselfish and devoted way. I love you all for that. Michele, I am sending kisses and hugs to you each and every day. Myrna
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Dear Michele,
I can only imagine how difficult this has been for you and your family, I know the love and support that your family and friends have for you, is giving you great comfort . I just want you to know that I am thinking of you and send you love and peace in this trying time.
Suzanne Brown Teitelbaum -
Dear Michele and Michele’s Family:
Michele is the one everyone always loves the most……………to this day I still hear this …..
Michele always the sweetest, the smartest and the most sensitive. Michele the one I wish I could reunite with since I moved back to Texas a few years ago………… Wanting to send love and respect to you Michele and your family………….Lynda Kravitz Fitzjarrell -
Dear Michele and Dear Family:
MIchele is the one everyone loves the most. Michele the smartest, the sweetest, the most sensitive, the most beautiful………. I still hear those comments after all these years. Love and prayers to you and your family.
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To one of my dearest old friends for 54 years, my heart and my prayers are with you and your family. I have so many wonderful memories of you since 1st grade all the way thru university and I always look forward to seeing you at reunions to catch up as if we had seen each other yesterday. You have always been one of my favorite people. I have always admired your inward and outward beauty, your intelligence and your wit. You are a class act and always will be. Please know that you and your family are deep in my prayers. A huge hug. Love, Robert
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Dear Michele,
ALWAYS enjoy seeing you. From Hillcrest High School, sitting in the bleachers together while our boys played baseball, and running into you around town – and even out of town! Wishing you peace and love always. Love, Joyce Klein Goldberg -
Al, Abby, Mitch and I were devastated to hear the news. Please accept our condolences. Michele was a very special person. Thinking of you and your family at this time.
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This entire site is a perfect tribute to Michele, whom I have known of for a couple of decades but only recently came to call a friend. The essence of Michele’s love for life is beautifully expressed and I’ve found comfort reading and listening to all the postings.
A trait of Michele’s that was very highly respected by my husband was “that she kept him accountable to do the right thing”. My husband, Roger, would talk in generalities of how challenged he was by Michele’s high standards of accountability (professionally ) however ,
He never was never happier than at the conclusion of a particularity difficult encounter; when the two of them would come away with a solution for the impending turmoil. . Michele brought out the very best in Roger and he loved that about their friendship .
I will take away a lot from knowing Michele and seeing how she traversed this final journey- I’m blessed to have known her.
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