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This is Sylvia. Michael's wife of over 42 years. I would like to begin by thanking you for caring enough for Mike to follow his journey through the updates of his incredible daughter, Sabrina, who kindly set-up and will be managing "MIKE'S STORY" site. I don't entirely understand how this works but I hope it brings you understanding & comfort. It may explain the lack of communication from me and Mike this past year. I'm so sorry about that. Mike's body is tired. He dealt with back pain for decades. On August 2020 he had his spine fused from his T-4 through down to his L5. It was a massive undertaking but he was a brave 77 year old who had a determination to walk again without pain! After a grueling 5 months recuperating, he was walking 3 miles a day by February 2021! He was so excited. Sadly his ability to walk independently declined and on May 27th he fell and broke his hip. That was the beginning of his decline.
His body continued to weaken after losing so much body weight after his spinal fusion surgery and then breaking his hip. He tried unsuccessfully for months through Chico's Enloe hospital inpatient rehabilitation and then ARBOR POST ACUTE's nursing home, where he now resides, to stand upright and walk on his own. He's just too weak. This last year's struggle to be strong, going back'n'forth to the hospital for various reasons, being tested-poked & prodded has been heartbreaking. He has not been diagnosed with a disease but he suffers. Regardless of his cognitive state (which changes daily/hourly)...he thinks he can walk but that's not going to happen-he's too frail. Through it all, Mike has received love & encouragement from all of his family and so many friends.
Sabrina offered before today to communicate to you through CARING BRIDGE but I was waiting for the right time. It breaks my heart to have to tell you that I made the decision, with Sabrina's loving support, to pass the baton entirely to God. The rest of Mike's journey will be God's will. Mike is now on "comfort care" at the nursing home with HOSPICE beginning October 28th.
Moving forward, I'm now going to be spending as much time as I can with Michael. Sabrina will keep you posted with how her Dad is doing. Thank you for all that you mean to Michael and pray he suffers no more. love from Chico-Sylvia.
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