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Life is not always easy, but our family has always been able to find a way as we band together to support one another. Until just a few weeks ago life was humming along, but Mike began having some pain coming from a small infection that we learned was MRSA. The road to recovery appeared to be relatively painless. However, it was these next few days that would change everything for our family. Shortly after getting home, Mike began experiencing more intense pain which led to a second trip to the emergency room and a surgery to remove a sore on his back, which was sent for biopsy. We soon learned that Mike had a much larger battle on his hands, Extranodal Natural Killer/T-Cell Lymphoma. After returning home for a second time, breathing trouble began and he was admitted for a third time and soon transferred to the James Comprehensive Cancer Center where he has been since.
Once at the James, Mike began the optimal treatment plan, a therapy called SMILE. Unfortunately, his kidney's were unable to handle the aggressive nature of this therapy and he was placed in the ICU. He has made immense progress recovering and is preparing to return to a standard inpatient room that is closer to the hematology and oncology team that is helping him win this battle. The treatment plan is still being determined due to his kidney function, but we are confident in his team at The James. He will be continue to be in the hospital for at least month before he can come home and begin finding his new normal.
As you might imagine, this has upended Mike's life. Mike has been laying carpet for 21 years now and is pretty darn good at it. He works hard and does it all for the love of his life - his 12-year old daughter Alayna. She is the light of his life. Alayna is a talented artist, musician, athlete, comedian, and so much more. The love that this father has for his daughter and that she has for him is infectious, there is nothing like it. It is a devastating feeling to be in a place where he cannot provide for her like he has for the past 12 years.
First and foremost, we covet your prayers. Please join us in praying for Mike - for him to have strength as this battle is only beginning, that he will win this battle, that he can return to work, and that he can continue to be every bit of the incredible father that he is while he is fighting and beyond.
We are also asking, whether you know Mike or not, that those who are able and desire to do so, will help financially through our GoFundMe. Due to Mike being unable to work, he will be moving in with mom for the time being and she will become his primary caregiver. This means that some unexpected additional expenses have come up without an income to supplement them. Everything from another mouth to feed, or two when Alayna is visiting, to transportation to doctor's appointments to a storage unit for many of Mike's things will become expenses for mom to bear. Additionally, we are hoping to purchase a new bed for Mike that will make him as comfortable as possible while he is fighting this battle. Whether you can do $10 or $100 dollars, one time or multiple times, every little bit makes a difference and we are incredibly thankful for that.
We have detailed out the expenses and their frequency and have intentionally chosen our goal. The duration of Mike's treatment and recovery is unknown, so we are beginning by asking for 6-8 months of these expenses. It is likely to last quite a bit longer than that, so ideally we could raise even more and help Mike get on his feet once this battle has been won. Should we raise more than we need and there are extra funds, the surplus will all go to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society to help advance the therapies and treatments for others just like Mike.
Thank you for taking time to read about Mike and his story and for your prayers and financial support. This battle is just beginning, but the support he has received just a few weeks into this journey has been incredible and meant a great deal to us. Thank you.
Stay strong Hawk. You are so loved.
Once at the James, Mike began the optimal treatment plan, a therapy called SMILE. Unfortunately, his kidney's were unable to handle the aggressive nature of this therapy and he was placed in the ICU. He has made immense progress recovering and is preparing to return to a standard inpatient room that is closer to the hematology and oncology team that is helping him win this battle. The treatment plan is still being determined due to his kidney function, but we are confident in his team at The James. He will be continue to be in the hospital for at least month before he can come home and begin finding his new normal.
As you might imagine, this has upended Mike's life. Mike has been laying carpet for 21 years now and is pretty darn good at it. He works hard and does it all for the love of his life - his 12-year old daughter Alayna. She is the light of his life. Alayna is a talented artist, musician, athlete, comedian, and so much more. The love that this father has for his daughter and that she has for him is infectious, there is nothing like it. It is a devastating feeling to be in a place where he cannot provide for her like he has for the past 12 years.
First and foremost, we covet your prayers. Please join us in praying for Mike - for him to have strength as this battle is only beginning, that he will win this battle, that he can return to work, and that he can continue to be every bit of the incredible father that he is while he is fighting and beyond.
We are also asking, whether you know Mike or not, that those who are able and desire to do so, will help financially through our GoFundMe. Due to Mike being unable to work, he will be moving in with mom for the time being and she will become his primary caregiver. This means that some unexpected additional expenses have come up without an income to supplement them. Everything from another mouth to feed, or two when Alayna is visiting, to transportation to doctor's appointments to a storage unit for many of Mike's things will become expenses for mom to bear. Additionally, we are hoping to purchase a new bed for Mike that will make him as comfortable as possible while he is fighting this battle. Whether you can do $10 or $100 dollars, one time or multiple times, every little bit makes a difference and we are incredibly thankful for that.
We have detailed out the expenses and their frequency and have intentionally chosen our goal. The duration of Mike's treatment and recovery is unknown, so we are beginning by asking for 6-8 months of these expenses. It is likely to last quite a bit longer than that, so ideally we could raise even more and help Mike get on his feet once this battle has been won. Should we raise more than we need and there are extra funds, the surplus will all go to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society to help advance the therapies and treatments for others just like Mike.
Thank you for taking time to read about Mike and his story and for your prayers and financial support. This battle is just beginning, but the support he has received just a few weeks into this journey has been incredible and meant a great deal to us. Thank you.
Stay strong Hawk. You are so loved.
