Michael needs our help. He has been diagnosed with stage IV metastatic colon cancer. Without treatment, doctors have given him 6 months to live.

On July 7th, after a week of stomach issues, Michael decided to visit a walk in clinic. Leaving with no answers or relief he decided he should go to the emergency room, where they performed routine tests and a CT of his abdomen. This revealed some kind of mass in his colon and also smaller masses on his liver. The next morning, a colonoscopy uncovered a large tumor that was blocking his entire intestine. Michael was rushed into emergency surgery. He awoke with a colostomy and terrifying news… the doctors were confident it was cancer and that it had already metastasized to his liver. He was admitted to the hospital to recover from this abdominal surgery.

For 3 days, we all sat in agonizing fear waiting for the pathology results from the liver biopsy. Our worst fears were confirmed. At 35 years old, Michael was diagnosed with stage IV metastatic colon cancer. After a week at Advent hospital, multiple bouts of sickness, complications and set backs, it was decided to transfer Michael to Tampa General Hospital, where he could be seen by a team of specialized doctors with more resources.

Once at TGH, the doctors were alarmed at the condition of his ostomy. The stoma was retracting, there were signs of a massive infection and they determined he would need to undergo another colostomy surgery to move the stoma site. They completed this very difficult surgery on July 20th and we were back where we started, NG tube, no food or water and recovering in even more immense pain. His next few blood tests indicated a spiked white blood cell count, which meant another infection. Scans revealed a build up of fluid near his spleen. They performed an aspiration of the fluid, to learn what antibiotics were needed and everything seemed to be okay. The next morning he started to experience unbearable pain. His vitals were going haywire. His heart rate spiked to 155 and his blood pressure dropped to low double digits -we nearly lost Michael this day. Doctors and nurses rushed into the room and began administering fluids and performing tests. After multiple blood transfusions, the rapid response team was able to stabilize him and he spent the next 5 days in ICU. We found he had gone into hemoragic shock, due to an internal bleed from the spleen. While in the ICU, they kept transfusing blood and began a sepsis protocol. They decided to do an emergency IR surgery to stop the bleed in the spleen. This procedure effectively gave him a splenectomy without actually removing his spleen. He will have to get vaccines to mimic the spleen’s function now. Since these complications, Michael’s vitals have never returned to what they once were. His heart is constantly racing, particularly when he moves to a standing position. He often experiences nausea, and his blood pressure and heart rate are in constant flux. 

In spite of his unstable condition and inability to stand for more than a minute or two, they discharged him on August 11th after 35 days in the hospital. Now, he will begin his fight against the cancer. August 18, he made his first visit to Moffitt Cancer Center. 

Through this bumpy road Michael has remained composed and calm and ready to fight for his life. If you are lucky enough to know Fernstrom, then you can understand. Michael is too many things to list.. to start he is a passionate musician. He loves his job managing a musical instruments store, connecting aspiring and accomplished musicians with the perfect instrument. He also enjoys expressing these musical gifts as the lead singer of a local rock n roll band, Old Bones. He is a wild adventurer and loves the outdoors, camping his way across the nation several times. He is a super hard worker in everything he does, a handyman who enjoys fixing things himself, a dog lover, a drone flyer and a super talented video producer. Michael is a loving and thoughtful son, a brother, and a kind human who helps strangers when he sees they’re in need. Michael is a once in a lifetime friend who will do anything he can for the people he loves. With his courage, strength, and downright stubborn determination he will be a future cancer survivor.

Michael has not been able to work since he began this journey on July 7th. Until his heart condition is solved, we are not sure when he will be able to return to his job. As a family we are pulling together to help him meet his existing financial obligations like mortgage, car payment and insurance, electric, and other personal debts. There are now many added expenses like paying continued health insurance, doctor visit co-pays (several each week), uncovered medications, special health supplies and health aids. There are many costs that come along with extended health care, not to mention the fact that he cannot mow his yard or be the DIY handyman at this time. Our fundraising goal is to be able to raise enough money to cover Michael’s current and future medical expenses so that he does not have to be concerned with how to make that happen while undergoing treatment.

Any financial contribution you can make would be so greatly appreciated, but we also accept positive thoughts and prayers, which will be so uplifting during these trying times.

Thank you,

Michael’s Family