Annette. I am sorry to say this, but I really think that Michael is telling you the right stuff. This hive is probably not going to make it. It is sad, but you do have to face the facts. Do as he tells you.
I lost 10 colonies last year to issues with the varroa mite (and swarming, which left weaker hives that could not fight off the varroa). It saddened me deeply, but I learned some very valuable lessons from that. I wound up at the end of the season last year with 2 colonies, 1 which overwintered and is a blasting, going concern now!!!! I babied it through this winter using a terrarium heater and man did it pay off. This hive is out of control. I have made a nuc with it and yesterday I took two frames of its brood and three shakes of bees to strengthen the weak hive that lost so much of its population to the poisoning from the ant bait. It is still booming with bees and still more bees to come, as it had many more frames of capped brood. At the beginning of winter last year, I honestly did have little hope for this poor little colony, 1 left out of 11. Have a wonderful day, keep your chin up. Cindi