Mike Traphagen's Battle with Brain Cancer

In August of 2019, Mike and Shannon Traphagen were getting ready to adopt their first baby girl after suffering 3 miscarriages and waiting for two years on an adoption waiting list. In August, Shannon had taken Mike into urgent care out of an abundance of precaution because he was complaining of severe anxiety.  After advocating for an MRI, even though all his other tests came back normal, it was discovered that Mike had a brain tumor. A subsequent brain surgery days later revealed he had stage 4 glioblastoma. At only 44, and Shannon 43, their entire world fell apart. They had to walk away from adopting and put all their energy into saving his life. In November of 2019, Mike was told his tumor had shrunk dramatically, and by February 2020 he had no evidence of cancer. Mike promptly returned to work at Moog Inc. where he had been a product and lead engineer in Military Aircraft for 13 years. Even with the pandemic hitting everyone in March, Mike diligently worked remotely and continued therapy and care. Moog has been an integral part of Mike's life and their continued support after his passing has left Shannon without words, they are truly family, and Mike's respect and devotion to Moog has impressed many that knew him.

He and Shannon started to entertain adopting or trying again as both so very much wanted to be parents. While also pursuing holistic treatments and eating very healthy and taking vitamins, both remained optimistic for their future together (they have been together for almost 19 years, almost 13 married). He remained evidence free until August 2020, almost a year to the day of the original diagnosis. Over the course of July and August Mike started having trouble keeping food down. After a lot of advocating and constant trips to the hospital, it was revealed that Mike had Leptomeningeal Disease, a very very rare offshoot of Glioblastoma (happening to only 2% of patients). 

Being admitted into Roswell by September 2020, Mike rapidly declined after putting up a strong fight and passed away just before Halloween (Oct) 2020. Shannon is beyond devastated at losing her best friend and soulmate and so much other loss.

Mike gave to all that know him. He worked hard his entire life, getting his first job right out of college and eventually earning his MBA, working for more than 24 years in engineering. He volunteered in his community, spent a lot of time working with various military divisions as part of his work and always donated and gave back to veterans and non profits along with his wife. He was unfailingly kind and generous. He and his wife Shannon donated and raised money for many charities over the years--many times through cycling events, as cycling is their passion, and donated to animal adoption centers, rescuing two dogs of their own. 

Having the adoption already in process, Mike and Shannon had to pay back a loan for an adoption that never came to fruition. Shannon now has to pay for self pay health insurance, medical expenses, from his care, daily expenses, and try to navigate a way forward into the unknown without him. Shannon is working hard to bring awareness to this disease and more research for a cure and will continue this cause. She is also looking into starting support for widows under 50 as there is currently hardly any support for young widows (emotionally or financially). 

Continued donations are being asked for to help support Shannon in a very difficult transition, help pay for any grief counseling she will have to privately pay for,  and other unexpected expenses that come up. With help from family and friends, Shannon is trying to grapple with her new reality and how to deal with this loss on top of all the other losses they had suffered. She misses her husband a great deal, they desperately prayed for a different outcome. She is so grateful and thankful for all the support, love and help, and hopes one day to pay-it-forward.