Help with Medical Expenses for Mike and Stephanie Watkins

In faith and by grace, trusting God no matter what it looks like, Mike and Stephanie are on the adventure of their lives.

Many of you already know the story that began in 2021 with a cancerous tumor on Mike’s vocal cords. Right away Mike and Stephanie’s faith and trust in God went into action. The first treatment process took 7 weeks in Jacksonville at the Mayo Clinic where Mike received daily radiation treatments. Several months later, just when it seemed all was well, Mike received the news that the radiation didn’t work, he would need to have his vocal cords removed and would not be able to speak or possibly eat normally again. With all the courage and strength they could muster, they forged forward in faith believing for the very best.

As the grace of God carried them, it was time to go forward with the surgery. Mike found himself in ORMC in November 2023. Since then, you know the story if you’ve been following the Facebook group. With this hospital stay, Mike spent time in the trauma ICU underwent a tracheotomy, heart catheterization and had feeding tubes inserted. The nurses proclaimed he was a miracle case. Mike went home to recover and adjust to a new normal of not being able to freely communicate or eat any food while waiting to hear results of the pet scan.

The results brought about the decision to go forward with the laryngectomy, rebuilding of Mike’s esophagus and the potential need for chemo and radiation. Weeks later after an additional hospital stay with enduring faith and persistent patience, Mike underwent the necessary procedures. He went home and patiently waited for those areas to heal.

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you’ll find enduring belief in a loving God, emotional ups and downs with a resolve to continue in faith, losses and wins as they walk through this process, lasting friendships forged through trials, and a transformed family brought closer together by the love of God. Today Mike and Stephanie find themselves back at ORMC for a lengthy 7 week stay of chemo, radiation and doctor visits.

I’m sure you know where I am going with this all. With now numerous elongated hospital stays, mounting medical and travel expenses, additional expenses not covered by insurance, this has become a monumental financial task. None of us would want to find ourselves in this situation. May we all have the grace and patience to handle it as well as Mike and Stephanie have.

Please join me in loving and encouraging them as they take each step in their faith and medical journey to save Mike’s life and become a regular family again. As we pray and believe God with them for the very best health and restored life, let’s help take some financial pressure off and “Raise a Hallelujah” for their financial blessing as well. This is not meant to pressure anyone but to merely present an opportunity if you feel led. Thank you for your continued prayer and taking the time to read this post.

I will leave you with these inspiring words from Ellie’s post as she looks on at her Dad’s transformation and revolutionized walk with God.

“Despite what the world stated and sees, he is standing in the supernatural and putting his complete faith in God. His belief is inspiring. His confidence is inspiring. His peace surpasses all understanding. In moments, I grow weary of watching this battle unfold before my dad, but he has never given in or given up on what the Lord has promised. What an honor to walk this path with him.”