Kelly told me last Friday night that she couldn't fight anymore. She was ready to give up and she was at peace with God and her decision. The pain became unbearable and we had to go to the ER. Saturday morning the doctor confirmed what Kelly already knew.
We are home now and have begun home hospice care. We don't know how much longer we have but what I do know is that I am blessed to have the strongest, most courageous wife and that we are in this together.
Thank you for your continued care and concern. Although every e-mail, call, and text message may not be returned, they are received and very much appreciated.
Please keep us in you thoughts and prayers,
Kelly & Joel
posted by Kelly & Joel Lester @ 8:48 PM
37 Comments:
Joel,
I think about you guys every minute of my day and I want you to know that there is nothing more comforting in this situation than to know that Kelly has you by her side. You are an incredible person.
we love you,
ET and Keith
Joel & Kelly,
My cousin lost her 30 yr old husband Sept 8 to this dreadful disease. He left behind his loving wife and 4 children. He fought 23 months to be here for his children but his body just couldn't fight anymore.
Kelly, I pray that you find some comfort and peace. Joel, I pray for your strength for the days ahead.
God Bless you both.
Carley
Joel & Kelly-
My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Since my cancer has gone into my bone, my doctor is concerned that it will be spreading other places as well. So I don't know how much longer I'll be here. Maybe Kelly and I will get to heaven at about the same time. We can have a lot of fun together, I'm sure.
I'm still praying for a miracle for us all.
-Caroline Stoufer from Ouray, CO
Joel - I second ET's comment. I will forever be grateful for you being in her life. You are a saint in my eyes. I know it is an incredibly difficult road you have taken with her, and I am so proud that you were with her every step of the way.
Love always,
Sara & Seth
We love you, Joel and Kelly. I don't know a lot of things, but I truly believe God will go with us through anything, and I know He is with you now. You are in our thoughts and prayers constantly.
Belyn, Robbie, Audrey and Corrine
When you said ".....and that we are in this together" be sure and remember that this includes all of your many relatives and friends who love you both very much. We are all in this with you two, right beside you all the way, whether we are physically there or not.
We would not have it any other way...
Our prayers and love are with you always.
Bob & Beverly
Joel,
Please tell Kelly that Brian and I love her and are so proud of her courageous battle with cancer.
Please also tell her that I will forever cherish the friendship we have. She makes me laugh so hard it hurts, forces me think differently, put me in my place on occasion, and always loves me back. Even through tears I think of her and can't help but smile too.
We are so proud of you too. God blessed Kelly with you and your marriage. You are both truly amazing people.
We pray daily for both of you and as everyone says above; we are in this silently along side you because we love you both so much.
My prayer today is that you find comfort and peace together and you can feel the love and support of friends and family surrounding you.
Joni and Brian
Kelley,
My thoughts and prayers have been with you the entire time. I want you to know that you have touched my life immeasurably and I am a better person for having known you. I will continue to pray for your peace and comfort.
Joel - you are an amazing individual!
Lots of love,
Veronica
My heart is breaking for you both.Your lives together may not be long but it was full of love and courage. We love you and think of you constantly. May God help you and your families though this.
Love, Pam & David Adams
Joel and Kelly -
I've read your story and you are both amazing people, your strength in your difficult times is enlightening and encouraging for others. You are both in my thoughts.
Annemarie
Joel,
I pray for Kelly and you everyday. My prayer for you is that you won't let this change the Joel that Kelly loves. You have been an angel to Kelly and she is truly blessed to have you. We understand that this time is precious for just you and Kelly. When you need us, we're here for you. I loved Kelly the moment I met her, she is truly an inspiration to us all. God bless you both.
Love,
Noelle and Bryan
Joel and Kelly,
Axel and I have been reading your blog, getting updates, and thinking of you every day here in Minnesota. Joel, you are a stand-up guy and I find the loving care and selflessness you have shown for Kelly awe-inspiring. I love to hear and read about all the support from family and friends you have as well, which you should never forget in the future. All the way up north I can easily see how loved you both are and how important you are in the lives of so many. For all of your and Kelly's close friends and family, I should thank you for allowing them in and providing them a way to show their love and support for the both of you. It is a beautiful thing to see. You are right, Kelly is courageous and brave and big-hearted. We are thinking of you constantly and wishing you both peace.
Love,
Erin and Axel
When I read your blog this morning it absolutely broke my heart but I also have to tell you that your decision gave me some peace. Even though I have never met either one of you, I know that Kelly touched so many lives just like Sam did. I have really been struggling lately and seem to be going backwards instead of forwards after three months. A friend of mine told me the reason - I drew my strength from Sam while he was here because he was such a strong person. When I lost him, I lost the strongest person I have ever known. But Kelly, I think you would give him a run for his money. You have given me back some of his determination, strength, faith and peace. He would have wanted me to go on and live life to the fullest. Kelly, you and Joel have done that and I look forward to meeting both of you one day. As Sam said - "see you on the other side". Both of you will continue to be in my thoughts and prayers.
Betty Johnson
Dear Kelly and Joel, We are praying for you both and hope that you can feel God's loving arms around you. He will not forsake you at this time. Our hearts are breaking for you both that such a lovely life like Kelly will be taken much too soon. You both will remain in our prayers and hearts forever. Kathy Clinton
Kelly and Joel
My heart goes out to you both, my Dad continues his battle against this cruel disease - I have followed your fight. You have both been so brave and put up with so much and still found the strength to carry on, Kelly, you are a true inspiration, I got a sense of your warmth of character when you emailed me once. May you find peace and comfort far away from this pain. I am sorry I never met you, I am sure that the lives of those that know you are richer for it.
Juliet (jules on cholangio site)
Joel and Kelly, thank you so much for sharing all along the way. It has been wonderful to see the love in your relationship. At Roy's wedding, Joel's speech included something about being blessed with his own wonderful bride. That has been dipicted so many times within the last year, even in this blog. Kelly, you are a blessing and continue to make wonderful, lasting impressions. I pray God will bless you two with as many good moments as possible.
Love,
Jana
I am so lucky to have had such great friends growing up and to have Kelly as a part of that. yall are in every thought and prayer. please know that you are blessed.
Love,
Tiffany Talbot Gaylor
Years ago when Joel was a young high school guy, Bob and I made a prediction that it would be Joel, not the other "big men on campus", who would make the BEST husband to some really lucky girl. Meanwhile, God, in His infinite and amazing wisdom, had a plan....put two witty, strong, wild and crazy souls together and then sit back and watch how enduring and unselfish love really works. Since last fall, all of us who have been lucky enough to know Joel and Kelly have watched as they endured this incredibly challenging year with amazing dignity, humor, strength and faith.
Joel, we love you, and we are so very proud of the man you are and for the way you have supported and loved Kelly. Thank you for showing us what real love is all about.
Kelly, you will be our angel always. Thank you for showing us what real Faith and courage is all about.
Love you,
Beverly
Dear Kelly and Joel,
You two are such a great couple. We will pray for you every day. Kelly, you just have this sweet light about you. I totally enjoyed being with you. Enjoy every moment of every day. "May the good Lord bless and keep you."
With our Love, Richard and Nancy Sloan
Kelly and Joel,
My husband has battled this diease since 2004. I have read your blog and gained strength at some of my lowest moments. As I sit at his bedside tonight, my thoughts and prayers are with you. Remember, that God has promised that he will never leave you nor forsake you. We don't always know why He allows all that He allows. We must trust Him and know that He knows what is best.
May God Bless you and keep you in His care,
Belena Turner
Joel,
I have been keeping up with Kelly through the blog. I have always known you are an amazing guy. You both are so blessed to have each other. Isn't comforting to know that because we have God in our lives we will all be together forever. Know that I am praying for you and Kelly.
Much Love,
Jen Jo
Joel - I am so grateful for the love and care you have for my dear friend Kelly. I thank you from the bottom of my heart. You are both in our hearts and prayers.
Much love -
Alina and Joe
Kelly and Joel you have helped me in my grief from my loved one's fight with this disease. After his passing I found this website and my how it and you both have gave me comfort in so many ways. This is an insidious disease that few experience and I hope fewer will encounter.
My prayers go to you both now at this time. God is really good in all this and he is right there beside you. I felt him during our ordeal and my belief became so much stronger.
Kelly,
Even though we haven't talked since our days at 'Sito's, you know I'm pulling for you. Keep up your good spirits during these tough times, because that's the Kelly I remember.
Steven Schwinger
Joel & Kelly -My thoughts are with
you and we are sending prayers up
constantly. We love you and pray for pease and strength. God has angles around you and will give you rest.
Aunt Dot
Kelly & Joel~
What a couple you are...Patrick and I laughed so much spending the night with you at Michelle's wedding. We treasure your friendship and feel blessed to know you. Kelly you are one of the funniest people I know. You always have everyone around you laughing. God Bless you both, Patrick and Beth Hays
Joel
We love ya tons and we are thinking about you constantly. You are and will remain in our prayers. We know God has a plan for you and Kelly both.
Love ya, Kristina and Jason
Joel and Kelly, you are an inspiration to us all. You've fought this thing with dignity, humor, and grace, and shown strength and love that we are all in awe of. We love you both and pray for your peace and comfort . You are such a blessing to us all.
David, Juli, Madge, and Lucy Barrera
Joel and Kelly,
We are thinking of you and praying for you. Please know that God is holding you close and so many people that care for you, that have known you at different times in your lives, are surrounding you with love and support.
Liz Nunez Huggins and Paul Huggins
Joel,
I am praying that God brings Kelly, you and your family comfort and peace during this time.
Janet Pierce Hoffmann (Kelly's friend from St. Agnes)
Kelly and Joel,
We are keeping you both and your families in our thoughts and prayers during this very difficult time.
God Bless and lots of love,
Kristina Schrier Howard
Kelly and Joel,
We are keeping you and your family in our thoughts and prayers. God bless you both.
Much Love,
Erin Shaver Duplechin
Kelly and Joel,
After reading this blog entry, it got me to thinking. I know that both of you were in the room when Sara and I got married, so you've heard this before. But I think that these paraphrased words of the sermon that my friend Patrick preached that day might mean more to you now:
I am convinced that when we die and go to heaven, God will ask us one question. God will look us right in the eyes and ask, “Did you have a good time?” “Well, did you? I made it for you to enjoy. Which part did you like the best? The ocean? The mountains? The platypus? How about the dog? The cat? The heat, the cold, the sand, the fish? Which part. Love? Did you like Love? You know, love is how you see me.”
So often we run like crazy people, we run to work, we run to play, we run in place. We run. So often we climb, we climb a career, we climb a disease, we climb a rope that leads nowhere. So often we swim, we swim upstream, we swim into the wind, we swim through the rain. Living doesn’t always look like fun. What a strange question for God to ask.
We live in a weird place, we live in the tension of a life we did not ask for and a death we cannot escape. We sit there, in the middle of living and dying, and sometimes it is not so much fun. So often we are told to be afraid, be very afraid. Be afraid of this malady, be afraid of that car, be afraid of those people, be afraid. Be afraid to try, you might fail, be afraid to laugh, you might cry, be afraid to live, you will die. And everyday we breathe, when we are suppose to enjoy the creation, instead we tend to loath it.
Which makes today a moment that binds each of us in the room to the other. Because two people, two very lovely people, have chosen not be afraid. Kelly and Joel have chosen to risk, not their money, but their lives for something that God has made. We are here gathered to witness the joining together of two people, who then become sacramental to us, they become outward and visible signs of God’s love for you, and me, and them. How else better show human beings what God looks like, than to reveal it in human form? How else better to show you and me what God looks like than to reveal it in the love that Kelly and Joel have for each other? How else better to show the world what can be, if we would only live to enjoy the creation, in the eyes of each other, in the eyes of a friend, a companion, a fellow sojourner, in between the bookends of creation.
If that is true, then Kelly and Joel, thank you. So often we would rather skip this part. And in the rush, we forget the gift that has been given to us, by these two people who have come here tonight to show us, and the world, what is means to be children of God. So thank you. Thank you for sharing your lives with us, thank you for sharing your lives with each other, thank you for showing us the face of God.
Our prayers are with you daily.
Seth
Kelly, you are such a symbol of strength to me, and I have always admired that of you. You were my first friend and roommate in Houston when I moved here 10 yrs ago. We are both only children and I think that's why we got along so well, and that we love to sleep and hate it when we are woken too soon!I will always cherish our good times together. I am so thankful that God put you in my life and gave us our time together, but I am most thankful for Him giving you Joel, and for showing you the true meaning of love. I love you Kelly, you are in our prayers. Love, Michelle and Chance Comstock
Dear Joel and Kelly,
What a hard time you have had. I started reading your blog when my husband was diagnosed 3 months ago and you have fought the good fight. It is hard to let go but God will lead you both through this tough time. We will pray for you that you are comfortable and have loving family around you as you prepare to join God in heaven. Mary Anne Coburn blog of Joe for Coburn family
Kelly,
Hope you are having a good day.
I have been thinking about you alot this morning!!
Try to eat something. your body need the energy source.
Always,
Emily Aguilar
Dear Joel and Kelly,
I stumbled across your blog from the Atlanta High School Alumni website a couple of months ago. Brandon was out of town on business and I stayed up for hours just reading everything that you guys have been through. I immediately told Brandon about the situation and we been thinking of you ever since. Though there are many miles between us, please let us know if there is anything that we can do for you. You are in our daily thoughts and prayers…
Love,
Brandon and Andrea Stanley
Brandon_Stanley@sbcglobal.net
Fayetteville, AR
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