I work in a relatively small company that consists of approximately 40+ people. Recently, our little start-up has been shaken up by the revelation that one of the key stakeholders in the company, has been diagnosed with Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy (PML). PML is a virus that attacks the brains, usually, in advanced stages of AIDS. She has been diagnosed with AIDS/HIV.
Today, our little company huddled in our art gallery which often doubles as a conference room. It was there that our founder, a Seattle Pacific University Graduate, announced with tears that the PML virus had spread to an aggressive level that her doctor had never seen before. This, he said, would likely translate to a lifespan of 1 week to 3 months at most.
I'm sharing this because I don't know what to do. I've prayed. I've shared this with my wife. I didn't know this co-worker on the personal level which I wished I had. What makes this situation more unfortanate is that her "boyfriend" also works for us and he's been a complete wreck and totally withdrawn since he learned of her fate in May. I also did not know him on a level which I wished I had.
What should I do? What can I do? Can anyone bestow some words of wisdom or encouragement for me on how to care/pray/support these two individuals? If you'd like to pray for them, their names are Michael and Christine. I should also mention that Michael had lost his father a month before learning about Christine's diagnosis.
Comments
What a unbelievably difficult situation. I had a friend once who was diagnosed with a brain tumor and was given six months (he died in five). The emotions that go through the people around the stricken friend are extreme. I'll lift up your friend in prayer, as well as those of you who are her colleagues. There probably aren't any appropriate words to say to the person, except to offer prayers and encouragement. By the way, I wrote a chapter on my friend's experience in our book, "God Is in the Hard Stuff."
Thanks for sharing this.
Wow, I will be praying!!!
Hi Eric,
I will be praying for God's mighty hand to work in this situation. There was a very difficult situation going on with one of my co-workers awhile back, she is not a believer, but I still offered to pray with her and for her. She didn't accept my praying with her, but was very comforted by the fact that I offered and that I would pray for the situation.
Perhaps you could do the same?
Unfortunately, there are no words. We are praying with you and for you. Perhaps the Lord will open the door for you to share the reality of faith in God if they are not believers.
Thank you for sharing so that we may pray.
It's just a helpless feeling of wanting to reach out and share the gospel with them. She's essentially bedridden and blind. I've been praying that someone may be able to share with them and that she'd have an opportunity to respond... thanks for all the encouraging words.
Eric -- Thanks for sharing this part of your life. I only wish I had an answer to your question. Being available and ready to respond in God's timing may be all that God is asking you to do at this time.
Hi Eric,
Just checking in....how are things? Any breaks physically or spiritually?
Lord bless you! Teresa
She passed away in July. I've been praying that I might have an opportunity to be here for her boyfriend who has only just recently come back to work for us.
He's an incredible human being and he's actually been a huge testament in a weird way, to me and everyone I know just watching how he has pulled together through this in a positive way. Perhaps it's all the prayers!