Big Mike's Life with Mantle Cell
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Mike Speer's Journey with Mantle Cell Lymphoma...
The words still ring in my ears. How could three words be so scary? "Stage Four" &"Incurable" were probably the next blow. We thank God, He is holding us in the palm of His hand through this, the worst storm of our lives. God has a plan for Mike and he has too much to live for. He is not just my wonderful husband he is my best friend and a fabulous father to three amazing children. He wears so many other hats, it's hard to count: Son, Grandpa, Father-In-Law, Son-In-Law, True Friend, Boss and the list goes on. He has a full life to live!
Mike was diagnosed with Stage 4 Mantle Cell Lymphoma on April 19, 2017. Since then he has been through five Chemo treatments. Hospitalized three times. We've been to Seattle already for consultations with the oncologists there. The sixth round of Chemo is in just over a week. Then comes the big reason for this page; on September 2, 2017, we head for Seattle for Stem Cell Transplant. The doctors say we will be there from 3-5 months depending on how the procedure and follow-up goes. Mike and I must live in Seattle until they consider him well enough to come home to Alaska. We hope that will begin his remission. Then when we come home he will continue with maintenance infusions every 6-8 weeks for the next three years.
We are praying for as long of remission as possible but we know that might only be 1 to 3 to 5 or 8 years. Then we fight the battle again with hopefully newer and better medicines and procedures. We will cross that bridge when we get to it. It is all in God's hands. We only know that Mike is still here by the grace of God. Had we not gone to the hospital on April 19 he would not be with us loving, laughing and living.
You can image the hospital, doctors, lab and medical bills that are already piling up. The bills have been pouring in for months now. And now you can add to that travel and living expenses while we are in Seattle going back and forth to the hospital daily, when we are not in the hospital. I'm sure I don't have to tell you that Insurance does not pay everything. That is why we need this funding to begin right away, as soon possible. We would be very grateful to you and your friends and churches and other caring groups with whom you may be affiliated. Mike and our family truly know and believe in the power of prayer. Prayers are not just a small thing. They have sustained us. We ask all of you to remember Mike and I and our family in your prayers.
With Our Sincere Thanks,
Mike and Cindy Speer
The words still ring in my ears. How could three words be so scary? "Stage Four" &"Incurable" were probably the next blow. We thank God, He is holding us in the palm of His hand through this, the worst storm of our lives. God has a plan for Mike and he has too much to live for. He is not just my wonderful husband he is my best friend and a fabulous father to three amazing children. He wears so many other hats, it's hard to count: Son, Grandpa, Father-In-Law, Son-In-Law, True Friend, Boss and the list goes on. He has a full life to live!
Mike was diagnosed with Stage 4 Mantle Cell Lymphoma on April 19, 2017. Since then he has been through five Chemo treatments. Hospitalized three times. We've been to Seattle already for consultations with the oncologists there. The sixth round of Chemo is in just over a week. Then comes the big reason for this page; on September 2, 2017, we head for Seattle for Stem Cell Transplant. The doctors say we will be there from 3-5 months depending on how the procedure and follow-up goes. Mike and I must live in Seattle until they consider him well enough to come home to Alaska. We hope that will begin his remission. Then when we come home he will continue with maintenance infusions every 6-8 weeks for the next three years.
We are praying for as long of remission as possible but we know that might only be 1 to 3 to 5 or 8 years. Then we fight the battle again with hopefully newer and better medicines and procedures. We will cross that bridge when we get to it. It is all in God's hands. We only know that Mike is still here by the grace of God. Had we not gone to the hospital on April 19 he would not be with us loving, laughing and living.
You can image the hospital, doctors, lab and medical bills that are already piling up. The bills have been pouring in for months now. And now you can add to that travel and living expenses while we are in Seattle going back and forth to the hospital daily, when we are not in the hospital. I'm sure I don't have to tell you that Insurance does not pay everything. That is why we need this funding to begin right away, as soon possible. We would be very grateful to you and your friends and churches and other caring groups with whom you may be affiliated. Mike and our family truly know and believe in the power of prayer. Prayers are not just a small thing. They have sustained us. We ask all of you to remember Mike and I and our family in your prayers.
With Our Sincere Thanks,
Mike and Cindy Speer
Organizer
Cindy Tesch Speer
Organizer
Anchorage, AK
