Support Mike Urbanski in his Fight Against Cancer

If you know Mike Urbanski, he is one of a kind. He is the guy who always has a smile on his face. He is the guy that would do anything for anyone.  If you are the underdog, he is the first to scoop you up and take you under his wing. Befriending him is easy and he considers you a part of his family for life.

Sadly, back in August,  Mike woke up with facial paralysis and double vision on the right side of his face. He was first diagnosed with Bell’s Palsy and was told he would return to normal soon. Gradually over the next week he began to have weakness in his arm and leg on the left side of the body.

After the next trip to the ER, Mike was told he likely had a stroke and his face and eye would likely not return to normal but his arm and leg would regain strength in time. He was sent home and within days he could no longer walk on his own, cut his own food, bath himself, dress himself… the list goes on.

Mike returned to the ER 9/15/19 at a new hospital with the thought he would be tested and sent to an inpatient rehab for a short time and then return to work and be with his family and friends. This would not be the case. The Neuro Team knew almost immediately that this was NOT a stroke. There was something growing in his brain. While he lay in the hospital undergoing many tests for several weeks they still could not find what was wrong.

After all of the tests were completed and repeated, there was no choice but to perform a very risky brain surgery to obtain a biopsy from the lesion growing in his brainstem. This would be the only chance to know what it is and have a plan of attack. On 10/8 mike under went surgery for the biopsy . A few days later the doctor informed his wife, daughter and family that Mike has a very rare and aggressive brain cancer , grade 3 Astrocytoma of the Brainstem and will have to endure a combination of radiation and chemo for months to come.

Mike will eventually be moved to an assistance facility to monitor his medical needs and rehab with a long journey ahead for potential recovery.  He currently has palsy of his right face, cannot move his left side of body , cannot eat or swallow, and can no longer speak. He is communicating some by writing it down.  Without warning, in a matter of days his whole life has changed.

Mike’s only child, Lauren, is getting married in June 2020. His biggest goal right now is to get well and be there to walk his beautiful daughter down the aisle.

Mike has a very long road ahead of him. As you can assume, the medical costs are adding up quick with no relief in sight.  Anything you can do to support Mike and Annie would be appreciated.  Let’s help make this a little easier for our friend and return the favors that he has always given us!

Please keep Mike on your prayer list for the strength he needs to fight.