Kick Cancer's Butt with Mike Moen
Donation protected
Michael was recently diagnosed with Metastatic Melanoma in the brain and spine.
In 2002, Michael had a back mole removed which tested positive for Melanoma. The surrounding skin tissue was then removed by the same doctor, and Michael was sent to an oncologist to follow up. The oncologist expressed concern over not handling the follow up care after the initial finding, as he would have done additional treatments. However, tests were run, and Michael was shown to be melanoma free for three years following. Unfortunately, this was not constantly checked after.
A month ago, Michael started having terrible back pain. He could only sit and stand for short periods and slept only a few hours at a time. Prior, he had occasional headaches and slight dizziness, but nothing that felt abnormal to him. Chiropractic and massage therapy helped temporarily. The symptoms seemed like a bulging/slipped disc issue.
After vomiting with a little blood showing, he decided to go to the ER early that morning. Complaining about his stomach and back, kidney stones or appendicitis was suspected. Cat scans ruled these out, but they noted concern of a small spot in his chest for us to look further into, and possible arthritis in his back. He was sent home that afternoon.
Around 2:30, his wife took him to work at their martial arts academy. He had an episode of sudden dizziness, and then uncontrollable shaking on his right side for almost a minute. He was also nauseous from the morphine they administered earlier for pain. He was in no shape to stay, so they closed that day and went back home.
At 9:00 that night, he had another shaking episode, more intense. He went to the same ER again right after. The doctor ordered a head cat scan, as seizures were something that Michael had never had before. Michael had two more seizures while there, the second of which the doctor witnessed, and confirmed were seizures. Shortly after, the doctor informed Michael and his wife that they had found a few spots in his head and they suspected they were cancerous. Michael was later transferred to a Seton hospital in Austin that could better handle the care he would need.
While in the hospital, several MRI's showed Michael had five or six spots in his head, three or four around the spine, and a very small one near his chest. The spinal tap showed no signs of cancer, so a biopsy surgery was performed. A neurosurgeon removed two raisin sized spots from Michael's head, and these showed to be Metastatic Melanoma in the pathology findings. In other words, melanoma had gotten into his blood stream, and started forming these spots in these areas.
Treatment will be brain and spinal radiation, starting with the brain. Michael and his wife were informed chemotherapy doesn't get to the areas where these spots are, so will likely not be used for treatment. Along with the radiation, there are some prescription medicines they wish think will help. Michael and his wife are also looking aggressively to natural means to help bolster his immunity.
This diagnosis did come as a shock to all of us, however Michael remains in great spirits and hope to conquer this. He loves his family and friends and has a lot to live for. Due to the nature of where the cancerous spots are and the treatment, and the uncertainty of the affects they may have physically, Michael and his wife have had to close their martial arts academy. Reopening will be considered in time if all goes well.
The money that is raised here will go to helping pay the current medical bills(Michael did not have insurance prior to this being a small business owner) and to help pay for the upcoming medical bills and to help with living expenses. We are looking at roughly $125,000 over the next few months in medical costs alone.
Please help us as we support this wonderful father, husband, and martial arts instructor. He has touched countless lives, and we want to help support him and his family in his time of need.
In 2002, Michael had a back mole removed which tested positive for Melanoma. The surrounding skin tissue was then removed by the same doctor, and Michael was sent to an oncologist to follow up. The oncologist expressed concern over not handling the follow up care after the initial finding, as he would have done additional treatments. However, tests were run, and Michael was shown to be melanoma free for three years following. Unfortunately, this was not constantly checked after.
A month ago, Michael started having terrible back pain. He could only sit and stand for short periods and slept only a few hours at a time. Prior, he had occasional headaches and slight dizziness, but nothing that felt abnormal to him. Chiropractic and massage therapy helped temporarily. The symptoms seemed like a bulging/slipped disc issue.
After vomiting with a little blood showing, he decided to go to the ER early that morning. Complaining about his stomach and back, kidney stones or appendicitis was suspected. Cat scans ruled these out, but they noted concern of a small spot in his chest for us to look further into, and possible arthritis in his back. He was sent home that afternoon.
Around 2:30, his wife took him to work at their martial arts academy. He had an episode of sudden dizziness, and then uncontrollable shaking on his right side for almost a minute. He was also nauseous from the morphine they administered earlier for pain. He was in no shape to stay, so they closed that day and went back home.
At 9:00 that night, he had another shaking episode, more intense. He went to the same ER again right after. The doctor ordered a head cat scan, as seizures were something that Michael had never had before. Michael had two more seizures while there, the second of which the doctor witnessed, and confirmed were seizures. Shortly after, the doctor informed Michael and his wife that they had found a few spots in his head and they suspected they were cancerous. Michael was later transferred to a Seton hospital in Austin that could better handle the care he would need.
While in the hospital, several MRI's showed Michael had five or six spots in his head, three or four around the spine, and a very small one near his chest. The spinal tap showed no signs of cancer, so a biopsy surgery was performed. A neurosurgeon removed two raisin sized spots from Michael's head, and these showed to be Metastatic Melanoma in the pathology findings. In other words, melanoma had gotten into his blood stream, and started forming these spots in these areas.
Treatment will be brain and spinal radiation, starting with the brain. Michael and his wife were informed chemotherapy doesn't get to the areas where these spots are, so will likely not be used for treatment. Along with the radiation, there are some prescription medicines they wish think will help. Michael and his wife are also looking aggressively to natural means to help bolster his immunity.
This diagnosis did come as a shock to all of us, however Michael remains in great spirits and hope to conquer this. He loves his family and friends and has a lot to live for. Due to the nature of where the cancerous spots are and the treatment, and the uncertainty of the affects they may have physically, Michael and his wife have had to close their martial arts academy. Reopening will be considered in time if all goes well.
The money that is raised here will go to helping pay the current medical bills(Michael did not have insurance prior to this being a small business owner) and to help pay for the upcoming medical bills and to help with living expenses. We are looking at roughly $125,000 over the next few months in medical costs alone.
Please help us as we support this wonderful father, husband, and martial arts instructor. He has touched countless lives, and we want to help support him and his family in his time of need.
Organizer
Michelle Lynn Chao
Organizer
Cedar Park, TX
