Jim Kelly is among America’s most beloved football players. But when the popular Buffalo Bills quarterback was diagnosed with squamous-cell carcinoma in his jaw in 2013, no one knew what the future held — or if there would even be a future at all.
But Jim has proven he’s not just a fighter on the field — he’s also a real fighter behind the scenes. Five years since his diagnosis, the former footballer is still going strong.
Now, Jim’s wife, Jill, has reached out to the public to share some of his incredible progress — and thank everyone for their support.
Jim and Jill are known to be devout Christians. Naturally, Jill was by her husband’s side from the very beginning, after receiving his devastating cancer diagnosis in 2013.
“There have been very dark days filled with despair, when the effort to get out of bed was more than I could handle,” Jill wrote. “Seasons filled with fear and doubt, when everything I thought was true was called into question. Moments when I had to remind myself to breathe, because even that was a challenge.”
“And yet, there were days of immeasurable favor and grace too. Moments, and days, and seasons when God revealed more and more of Himself to me and His presence was the greatest gift of all…”
Brave Patient
Jill snapped a photo of her brave husband as he prepared for yet another surgery in November 2018. In the image, Jim can be seen smiling and giving a thumbs up.
“Thumbs up… For hand holding, Lavender hospital gowns, Blue hair nets…” Jill wrote. “And the doctors telling us that this should be Jim’s last surgery.”
Jill once again expressed deep gratitude to all of Jim’s fans for their amazing support throughout the years.
“Thank you for praying us through. Your love, encouragement, and prayer support have blessed us beyond measure. While I wait for Jim, I’ll be praying.”
She even gracefully offered reciprocal prayers to complete strangers, despite the difficult times she and her husband are in: “If you would like me to pray for you, please let me know. It’s an honor to do so.”
Thumbs up…For hand holding,Lavender hospital gowns,Blue hair nets…And the doctors telling us that this should be…
Posted by Jill Kelly – Author/Speaker on Wednesday, November 28, 2018
Post-Surgery
Jim’s surgery thankfully went well and Jill photographed him once again as he exited the operation room — once again in high spirits.
“Another thumbs up!” she posted after the operation. “Surgery complete and all went as planned! In recovery now.”
“THANK YOU SO MUCH for praying! I’m reading all of your prayer requests and I am praying for you,” Jill wrote. “We are all in this life together! We need each other. Thankful for you and again…I count it a privilege to talk to God on your behalf.”
Such sweet words from a loving, devoted wife. Prayers from strangers are so powerful. Let’s continue to keep the Kellys in our prayers and in our thoughts. Please share this article with your family and friends so they can do the same.
