Mike D says F* Cancer (*FIGHT)

A few days before Christmas, Mike underwent surgery to remove a malignant brain tumor in his left frontal lobe. The neurosurgeon was successful in removing the majority of the 5-cm mass. However, due to proximity with the tumor, some blood vessels were damaged and resulted in a stroke during surgery. After five days recovering from surgery in the ICU, he was transferred to the rehabilitation unit of the hospital to begin physical, occupational, and speech therapy. While Mike has regained feeling on the right side of his body, he is unable to move his right arm or leg. He has aphasia and his memory has also been affected. After a total of 26 days in the hospital, Mike was discharged and is happy to be home! He will continue receiving occupational, physical, and speech therapy on an outpatient basis with the hope of gaining some mobility on his right side and improving his ability to communicate.


Due to the nature of this brain cancer (grade 4, the most aggressive) he will also need radiation and chemo therapy. The initial cancer treatment plan includes 6 weeks of daily (5 days a week) radiation and 6-12 months of a daily (5 days a week) oral chemo pill to kill the remaining cancer cells and slow down growth of new cancer cells. Other alternative brain cancer treatments will be implemented as needed.

Mike is confined to a wheelchair and requires 24-hour care. Fortunately, his Dad has been able to temporarily move to Colorado from Arizona to support Brigid in caring for Mike, help with Hooter (their 11-year-old chocolate lab), and prepare their home to make it more accessible and safer for Mike.


In addition to your positive thoughts and prayers for Mike's recovery, Brigid and Mike need your financial assistance. Mike had recently started a new job with a local water district. However, since Mike had only been in this new position 1 week before being diagnosed with a grade 4 glioblastoma, he does not have paid leave time. Due to Mike's cognitive and physical limitations, he will not be able to work for the foreseeable future. Soon, Brigid will need to return to work and at that point at least part time home health care will be needed. Your Go Fund Me contributions will be used for medical bills, the purchase of additional medical equipment, and renovations that still need to be made to make their home more comfortable for Mike.


Mike loves camping, fishing, hiking, anything to do outdoors including the occasional brewery beer garden! Aside from spending time outdoors with his wife and friends, Mike enjoys live music - while he listens to a wide spectrum of genres, high energy blue grass is his favorite.