Tim Mauck

Wow, how things can change in a blink of an eye.  First off, I want to thank people for the love, support and prayers. They have made a huge impact and I ask that you continue to lift us up (Tim, me Rob and Julia as well as Tim's family).  I know this journey has just begun but we are not alone. 


 Tim has been having some stomach issues for the past few weeks.  The pain got intense and Wednesday he headed into urgent care.  They sent him to the hospital for a CT scan.  That showed a mass in his colon and possible lesions on his liver. (I could tell you about how the ER doc delivered the news but no time and energy for that).  They admitted him and he started prepping for a colonoscopy the next morning.   That was yesterday, Thursday 10/13.  That showed the mass (a size of an apple) was blocking the colon right above the rectum.  The pain was so intense that the doctors decided it had to come out now - he was prepped for surgery at 4:30.  The surgeon came to talk to us and it was the same guy who did Tim's hernia surgery 8 years ago. I took this as a good sign from God. 


Surgery happened (which took about 3 hours) and the doc said all went well. We will see what the pathology reports say but they are pretty sure it was cancer.  Tim had a port put in during his surgery so he is ready for whatever needs to be next.   He was in his room last night about 10:30 and praying he was able to sleep and today is a good day for him.  He will probably be in the hospital (Waukesha Memorial) for a week.


So... let me share about the love and support we have felt since Tim went to see about his stomachache on Wednesday.  God is good and is there in good times and challenges. 


Our church family, St John's Lutheran Church has already shown such love and support.  Pastor Jennifer was with me pretty much all of Wednesday and Thursday.  Then during the surgery, the waiting room was filled with people to support me, make sure I had eaten, praying, hugging and lifting our family up.  People have been reaching out and supporting Julia and Rob as well.  So wonderful.


Tim's best friend Keith (who recently retired) drove from Dayton and was here at the hospital by 8:30 last night.  He will stay for as long as we need him.  I can't tell you how much that means and how helpful that is.  You may hear loud cheers from the hospital room on Saturday night as Tim and Keith are huge Ohio State fans.


I keep seeing how God has been laying some foundations for us in the past months.  Tim got a new job in sales at Envision IT in Middleton (near Madison) in August.  Tim shared early on that Envision is such a family oriented company and how excited he was to be part of it.  He has really been enjoying his time at this new job.  In one of his first weeks with Envision, he got asked to go out and deliver meals on wheels.  This is just one of their outreach pieces.  I can't tell you how much  the outpouring of love and support they have already shown already has meant to us.  


I am blessed with working at WILC and the great group of people there.  They are not only supporting me but also Rob.  They also are helping with making sure that Rob is being cared for and I have coverage when I need to be at the hospital.  I know that will continue through this journey.


People keep asking what they can do.  Prayers are good and much needed - please also pray for Tim's parents and all our family.  I am still trying to process all that has happened in the past 48 hours.  I can't even imagine what Tim will have to go through. Julia and Rob will also be processing all of this as well - so far, so good but again we are only 48 hours in to this.  I have faith that God is giving us tools and people to help us deal with all of this. 


There will be a meal train set up soon (it will be pretty tricky with our dietary restrictions so please don't stress if that is not what you can do). I am not really well organized or plan too much ahead of time.  I will be asking for help but just not sure what we need at this moment. 


Today is a new day and not sure what God has planned yet.  Our family has been through challenges before.  I have been told by Rob's team leader/autism doctor that cancer is easier to treat than autism. (Dr Buckley is also a cancer survivor) I am holding on to that.  We have been warriors on the autism journey and we will be warriors on this journey.  


Thanks again for all your love and support - it means so much.


Stephanie