Ray Michel Journey with Ray

Welcome loved ones to a site created to walk with our family as we journey with Ray to fight this immense battle. A few weeks ago (maybe a little longer), Ray was not feeling himself. He had gone through two successful eye surgeries for glaucoma, and on his road to recovery, he started experiencing some stomach issues which led to fatigue and weight loss. He barely let that slow himself down as he was still mowing his lawn and tending to the flowers when he went to the doctor on Monday, August 30th. He was admitted to the hospital and throughout his week and a half there, he battled e-Coli, pneumonia and a battery of tests, scans and pokes and prods. In the end, we learned that there were lesions on his liver and a tumor in his lung. We needed him strong enough to go home so he could have a PET scan to see where the growths originated. The PET scan was yesterday, September 8th, and the results were pretty unexpected. They spotted some in his bones and more in the liver; they originally thought it started in his colon, but that was unfounded. They now have tissues sent to Mayo Clinic and are awaiting more answers so then his team can meet together, and they still want to formulate a treatment plan. Though this was devastating news, the Michel family has never backed down before, especially in all of the unusual amounts of Cancer we have had to face. This one is tough, yes, and aggressive, we know. The doctors still want to slow it down and give him as much quality time as God will allow. As always, the amount of love, support, phone calls, notes, texts and emails has brought us strength. On a side note, Cindy has taken over the role of primary caregiver, and her nursing and natural ability to care has been amazing already. She has been strong but will need continual love and support from all of us as well. Many have asked how to help, and I think we will get to a point where we will need it, but for now we are finding our footing as a family, and reaching out will be next. Please feel free to join this site and keep in touch, and we will do our best to keep everyone current on what is happening. Above all, please continue to pray and