If you have logged onto this website you are one of the many concerned family, friends, Fire Dept. co-workers, or caring
members of the community who know Lance and/or his family. We welcome you and thank you for your concern and support.
As you might imagine, this is a very difficult time for the Michaelis family. Lance's
illness has definitely returned with a vengeance. Sadly, the type of cancer Lance has is very aggressive and is progressing
fairly quickly. In the past few weeks Lance has been unable to manage his pain with the oral medications he has been taking.
Hospice has taken over his medical needs and giving emotional support, and are helping to care for him in the comfort of his
own home. Jill is a very constant and loving support for Lance, his guardian angel of all things. Both Jill and Lance work
very hard to keep things as normal as possible for their sons Max and Brian. Both of the boys spend a great deal of time with
their Dad, and are very helpful to both of their parents.
The Michaelis's
feel so grateful for the huge outpouring of love and support from so many people, and wish to thank you with all of their hearts.
Sometimes it takes a crisis to really know how much you are thought of and cared about. Judging from the response to Lance's
illness, they are cared about A LOT.
The family is entering a time
now where they need to focus fully on Lance. His comfort, and their time together is their only priority. While so many
inquiries about Lance's condition and offers of help are greatly appreciated, it takes a lot of Jill's time away from Lance.
For this reason, we have created this website to be used as your way to communicate with the family, or check on Lance's progress.
This will be the link between you and the Michaelis family, which will allow them to receive your continued support, but be
able to access it in a timeframe that is convenient for them.
By
clicking on the link marked "Update" on the left side of this page you can check on Lance's current status. This will be
updated several times a week. Most importantly, click on the "Contact Us" page and then click on the "Guest Book" link to
send Lance and the family a message. Words of encouragement, a funny story, or just a "'thinking about you, praying for you,"
can be so uplifting to their day.
Because Lance is very weak right
now he gets easily tired by simple things like talking, etc. We respectfully request that you send a message via this website
instead of placing phone calls for the time being. If you would like to visit we would ask that you email as well, and we
can let you know when a good day might be. Please know that the family does not wish to make anyone feel unwelcome, only
that with a life threatening illness there are good days and bad days. Sometimes hour to hour changes occur. When Lance is
feeling stronger, we'll be sure to let you know. We hope you understand.
If
you have any questions or need to speak with someone personally, please click onto the "Contact Us" link. Kim DeGroot is
handling the website updates and coordinating the list of people who would like to help by bringing food, would like to visit,
etc. She is acting as Jill's personal assistant and will get all messages to Jill, while trying to handle as much as she
can for her herself. Battalion Chief Mike Ryan will be the contact for all Fire Dept.related questions or needs.
If there were one thing we might ask it would be your prayers for Lance and his
family. We thank you very much for caring.
