Fight like Mike

Mike Ward has been battling metastasis squamous cell carcinoma for three years.  He has been through multiple surgeries including having his left arm amputated.  In February, he developed an esophageal plural fistula (hole), filling his right lung with fluid and as a result he was life-flighted to Seattle.  The doctors were able to fix the fistula with an esophageal stent although, they had to put in three of them before they found the one that would work.  Due to this, he had to eat through a g-tube for a few months.  Mike fought through it and continued to fight and move forward.  In April, he began immunotherapy to fight the cancer nodules in his lungs and other parts of his body including his skin.  His doctors were pleased with the effects the immunotherapy - the results indicated it is working.  Recently, Mike has developed various bacteria in his blood and even with antibiotics has gone septic, which is a major infection in his blood stream threatening his life.  This happened 5 times in a short amount of time starting in June, resulting in having to be life-lighted to Seattle twice within a month.  The doctors have discovered a pocket of bacteria behind Mike's esophagus, of course in an area difficult to reach.  To stop the sepsis,clear the infection and save Mike's life, the pocket of bacteria has to be drained.  There are multiple surgeons and doctors working  on figuring out a solution that will be the least invasive procedure and the most effective for Mike.  Throughout the ordeal, his wife Cheri, mom Kaye and sisters Kim and Shawna have been by his side while traveling back and forth from Seattle to Moses Lake taking care of the house and starting school.  It has been overwhelming and stressful for all of Mike's friends and family.  In addition, there are multiple medical bills and travel expenses.  This go fund me account has been started to assist Mike and Cheri with these expenses.