Michaela has come through surgery with flying colors. Not only did her body respond well to the surgery, but even more importantly, she is hopeful and happy.  As of this morning, her guts were making some sounds, which is a very positive sign!

When I first arrived last night, Peter, Franzi, and I held her hands and feet.  She said she felt like she was floating on a cloud of love, light, and prayers. She was in sublime spirits and though we faced a few challenges during the night, the space of love and gratitude was where she always returned.

Michaela wishes to express her gratitude to the many people who have been sending her love and wishing her well over the last several weeks, and especially yesterday.  She is certain that all the love sent her way assisted in the positive outcome of the surgery and even more so to her current positive state of mind.  She feels incredibly supported, loved, and blessed to be a part of such a caring community.

Thank you to all of you who left comments, emailed, called, and reached out in some way.  Thank you most deeply to the angels who have been bringing food every day.  It has proven to be absolutely essential to have someone with her at all times.  Having a friend by her side allows us to take care of her simple needs ourselves without bothering the overworked nursing staff and advocate for her by physically locating a nurse when we are unable to resolve a situation on our own.  The meals that you have been providing, allow us to focus more of our love and energy on Michaela without depleting or depriving ourselves.

Tonight I am preparing the last supper that Michaela will have before the surgery.  She has a craving for stuffed tomatoes, so that will be the main dish.  Tomorrow she must fast after breakfast and drink lots of fluids, so the reality of what is happening the next day will be unavoidable.  Please send lots of love tomorrow and pray that she stays strong and brave.

The surgery will take place on Monday afternoon, and they want her up and moving right away afterwards (studies show tremendous benefit to healing with walking right away).  She will not be able to eat however, so will be fed intravenously.  The meals delivered to the hospital will be for her close friends and family who will take turns sitting with her at all times.

Once her bowels start working again and she can eat, that will be the indication that she can come home.  Dr. Simkins has advised that it could take 3-10 days for this to happen.

The main unknown factor with this surgery is how damaged her tissues are from the radiation.  We hope that they are strong enough to successfully handle the stress of the surgery.  Michaela is lucky enough to have friends coming to give her reiki and healing touch.  This has been shown to benefit surgical outcomes, so we are trying to give her every possible advantage.

As always, we are deeply grateful for the love, good wishes, and support of the community.

love,
Mado

Many people are asking how they can help, so I’ve created a list.  Please let me know if there are any items on this list that you feel called to do.  *Updated 7/16/12*

1.  Give Love. 
Send Michaela love and light as often as you can.

2.  Donate.
There is a paypal link to the right side of the page where you can send financial support.

3.  Other Support
Mado & Peter could use support in keeping the details of our lives from falling apart as we focus on caring for Michaela.  Because it is really important to us that people only help in the way they feel called to, please offer to do a specific task rather than general support.  Some helpful tasks include:

Cleaning
Lawn Mowing
Weeding

Thank you,
Mado

10 years ago Michaela had cervical cancer. She was treated with chemotherapy and massive doses of radiation. 5 years ago, cancer showed up in a lymph node in her thigh. It was surgically removed.

March of this year, she began having symptoms that were concerning, but not decisive. Because she is uninsured and relying on a charity clinic for primary care, testing was done rather cautiously.

A mass was discovered in her bladder and in the middle of June, her oncologist did exploratory surgery. A biopsy revealed a rare form of cancer that was caused by the radiation therapy she received 10 years prior. Because of the amount of radiation her lower body has already received, surgery is considered to be her only treatment option.

She has been accepted as a patient by a urologist, who has agreed to do the surgery on August 15th.

Prayers, meditation, and positive thoughts are deeply appreciated.