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In June 2016 Mary Swords was diagnosed with MSSA Blood Staph Infection, that lodged in her L3, L4 Vertebrae with osteomyelitis elements in both her vertebrae, left ankle and both knees.
Subsequently, Mary has had both knees replaced three times each, with concrete spacers in both knees and the left ankle operated on 6 times and also has a concrete spacer. In addition to receiving antibiotics intravenously for approximately 30 months.
In November of 2018 Mary was also diagnosed with Basilar Invagination and required a Transnasal Ondoidectomy and then a Posteior Cervical Decompression with Fusion. However, when her bones were checked, she was diagnosed with severe osteoporosis and began daily injections of Forteo to try and strengthen the bones so she could have the surgery.
Seven months later she went for an MRI and the bones had not improved, so the Neuro Surgeons at Tampa General wouldn't move forward with the surgeries.
It is now December 2019 and Mary's health continues to decline. She was admitted to Tampa General and after performing liver biopsies, she was diagnosed with liver cancer, (two rare Spindle Cell Tumors were present on both lobes). And the surgeons determined that she wasn't a candidate for surgery.
After 43 months of struggle and a poor prognosis of survival Mary was exhausted. So she informed the surgeons that she wanted to see our 22 year old son Gideon who lives in Colorado for a few days and then she would be ready for hospice care.
On December 30, 2019 Mary and I notified some friends and family that we were going to renew our Marriage Vows after 23 years of marriage on December 26th. Wow! approximately 40 people showed up!
What a Celebration of Life. In spite of the 43 months of tremendous physical, mental, spiritual and financial pressure, we celebrated a Christian Marriage. A marriage full of joy, fun, and challenges. However, HOPE AND FAITH IS ALIVE AND WELL FOR OUR FAMILY!!
December 31, 2019, Mary is now home with our family, where she is receiving Hospice care through Hope Hospice of SWFL.
Mary is a faithful christian who left home at 18 and went to South Eastern Bible College, now Southeastern University in Lakeland, FL. She had a major in music and a minor in ministry.
After leaving Southeastern she planted in a local church in Lakeland and served the body of Christ until we met at a singles function at the church. Approximately 3 years later we married at 35 years of age. We married, December 26, 1996, conceived on our honey moon and Gideon Michael Swords was born September 21, 1997.
The Swords family moved to Wheaton College, in Wheaton, IL August 1998 where I attended Wheaton College and earned a Bachelors Degree in Biblical and Theological Studies and went on to study for a Masters Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies (Clinical Psychology & Evangelism).
After living at Wheaton College for 6 years we returned to Florida where Mary chose her first and foremost ministry, ministering to our family and the local church. Mary home schooled our son Gideon until he graduated from high school on May 15, 2016.
Over the past 43 months I have kept Mary at home caring for her, when she wasn't having surgeries. During this time she has been bedridden, with crippling arthritis in addition to all the other medical challenges shes faced.
Please consider helping our family to relieve some of the burden we've been experiencing. The financial burden we've experienced with medical bills and my inability to work because I needed to stay home to care for Mary for he past 3 1/2 years is substantial. In addition to the end of life expenses through Hospice and Funeral expenses that will come in the near future.
It's always humbling to ask for help, but as we all know, "No Man Is An Island Entire To Himself."
Thank you for whatever help you can give. And may God be glorified through your love!
Regards,
Michael, Mary & Gideon Swords
Subsequently, Mary has had both knees replaced three times each, with concrete spacers in both knees and the left ankle operated on 6 times and also has a concrete spacer. In addition to receiving antibiotics intravenously for approximately 30 months.
In November of 2018 Mary was also diagnosed with Basilar Invagination and required a Transnasal Ondoidectomy and then a Posteior Cervical Decompression with Fusion. However, when her bones were checked, she was diagnosed with severe osteoporosis and began daily injections of Forteo to try and strengthen the bones so she could have the surgery.
Seven months later she went for an MRI and the bones had not improved, so the Neuro Surgeons at Tampa General wouldn't move forward with the surgeries.
It is now December 2019 and Mary's health continues to decline. She was admitted to Tampa General and after performing liver biopsies, she was diagnosed with liver cancer, (two rare Spindle Cell Tumors were present on both lobes). And the surgeons determined that she wasn't a candidate for surgery.
After 43 months of struggle and a poor prognosis of survival Mary was exhausted. So she informed the surgeons that she wanted to see our 22 year old son Gideon who lives in Colorado for a few days and then she would be ready for hospice care.
On December 30, 2019 Mary and I notified some friends and family that we were going to renew our Marriage Vows after 23 years of marriage on December 26th. Wow! approximately 40 people showed up!
What a Celebration of Life. In spite of the 43 months of tremendous physical, mental, spiritual and financial pressure, we celebrated a Christian Marriage. A marriage full of joy, fun, and challenges. However, HOPE AND FAITH IS ALIVE AND WELL FOR OUR FAMILY!!
December 31, 2019, Mary is now home with our family, where she is receiving Hospice care through Hope Hospice of SWFL.
Mary is a faithful christian who left home at 18 and went to South Eastern Bible College, now Southeastern University in Lakeland, FL. She had a major in music and a minor in ministry.
After leaving Southeastern she planted in a local church in Lakeland and served the body of Christ until we met at a singles function at the church. Approximately 3 years later we married at 35 years of age. We married, December 26, 1996, conceived on our honey moon and Gideon Michael Swords was born September 21, 1997.
The Swords family moved to Wheaton College, in Wheaton, IL August 1998 where I attended Wheaton College and earned a Bachelors Degree in Biblical and Theological Studies and went on to study for a Masters Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies (Clinical Psychology & Evangelism).
After living at Wheaton College for 6 years we returned to Florida where Mary chose her first and foremost ministry, ministering to our family and the local church. Mary home schooled our son Gideon until he graduated from high school on May 15, 2016.
Over the past 43 months I have kept Mary at home caring for her, when she wasn't having surgeries. During this time she has been bedridden, with crippling arthritis in addition to all the other medical challenges shes faced.
Please consider helping our family to relieve some of the burden we've been experiencing. The financial burden we've experienced with medical bills and my inability to work because I needed to stay home to care for Mary for he past 3 1/2 years is substantial. In addition to the end of life expenses through Hospice and Funeral expenses that will come in the near future.
It's always humbling to ask for help, but as we all know, "No Man Is An Island Entire To Himself."
Thank you for whatever help you can give. And may God be glorified through your love!
Regards,
Michael, Mary & Gideon Swords
Co-organizers (2)
Michael Swords
Organizer
Lehigh Acres, FL
Supermom Shannon Whitaker
Co-organizer