On April 28th, 2015 Mike Wight had his first seizure. After several days of uncertainty in the hospital, he finally began to recover. The Wight family and their closest friends were all shocked by the event, and relieved to have moved past the grueling and terrifying week. Unfortunately, this was only the beginning of what has become a long and crushing journey for Mike Wight and his family.
Less than a month later, another seizure, and this time a longer stay in the hospital. Mike was administered seizure medication with the hope of preventing any further issues, but another month passed and then another seizure came. Over the next year and a half, despite several medication changes and input from additional doctors, the seizures continued. With each stay in the hospital, the symptoms worsened. Nearly a year after Mike's first seizure, he landed in the hospital for over three weeks, awaking from his latest seizure and experiencing dramatic hallucinations, memory loss, and uncontrollable motor movements. His wife and sons were told he may never fully recover, which devastated the family. Miraculously, Mike wasn't done fighting, and he recovered just three days later. His short-term memory will never be the same, but he could go home, and he was for the most part himself again. To this day, the seizures continue despite further medications and all attempts to avoid triggering circumstances. But there's still hope...
The Wights have been making monthly trips to Tampa to see several seizure specialists, and Mike has been undergoing a series of tests to determine the true source of the problem. One of the tests had taken just six hours, but another required an overnight stay with the intentional triggering of traumatic seizures. The doctors in Tampa believe they have identified the primary cause of Mike's seizures, and they've decided that he is an ideal candidate for resective brain surgery, which is currently planned to take place in January 2017. While Mike and his family are terrified and overwhelmed, they are also hopeful. It's clear that the medications are not a long-term solution, and this surgery to remove damaged brain tissue has a high likelihood of permanently preventing any further seizures.
Mike & Denise are both self-employed, and very hard workers. Making ends meet requires their dedication and perseverance, but in addition to the traumatic effects of the seizures themselves, Mike cannot drive, is afraid to travel or attend group functions, and lives every day in anticipation of the next episode. He's lost so much of his self-esteem. Hospital bills, medication, co-pays, gas, food, hotels and time off of work have taken their toll on the family's finances. The Wight family is unsure of their future even if the surgery is successful. Now they're reaching out for help to get through these deeply troubled times.
I've decided to start a GoFundMe for the Wight Family because my husband and I have been friends of theirs for 16 years, and we went through a similar situation when our son was born. We know how the bills can pile up when you're self-employed and you feel so alone. Time goes by so fast, and before you know it you're buried in debt. It all leaves you feeling helpless with no way out.
I am certain this surgery will give the Wights their life back. They are such a close and loving family, and have been through so much in the past two years. I'm asking friends, family and even people who may not know them, to please find it in your hearts to help this family as if it were your own. Any contributions will help keep food on the table and lights on in the house while the Wight family pushes through what we all hope is the final chapter in this story. Moving forward I'll provide updates on Mike's progress and the outcome of his surgery.
God bless you and thank you so much for your help.
Shandra & Clay
Less than a month later, another seizure, and this time a longer stay in the hospital. Mike was administered seizure medication with the hope of preventing any further issues, but another month passed and then another seizure came. Over the next year and a half, despite several medication changes and input from additional doctors, the seizures continued. With each stay in the hospital, the symptoms worsened. Nearly a year after Mike's first seizure, he landed in the hospital for over three weeks, awaking from his latest seizure and experiencing dramatic hallucinations, memory loss, and uncontrollable motor movements. His wife and sons were told he may never fully recover, which devastated the family. Miraculously, Mike wasn't done fighting, and he recovered just three days later. His short-term memory will never be the same, but he could go home, and he was for the most part himself again. To this day, the seizures continue despite further medications and all attempts to avoid triggering circumstances. But there's still hope...
The Wights have been making monthly trips to Tampa to see several seizure specialists, and Mike has been undergoing a series of tests to determine the true source of the problem. One of the tests had taken just six hours, but another required an overnight stay with the intentional triggering of traumatic seizures. The doctors in Tampa believe they have identified the primary cause of Mike's seizures, and they've decided that he is an ideal candidate for resective brain surgery, which is currently planned to take place in January 2017. While Mike and his family are terrified and overwhelmed, they are also hopeful. It's clear that the medications are not a long-term solution, and this surgery to remove damaged brain tissue has a high likelihood of permanently preventing any further seizures.
Mike & Denise are both self-employed, and very hard workers. Making ends meet requires their dedication and perseverance, but in addition to the traumatic effects of the seizures themselves, Mike cannot drive, is afraid to travel or attend group functions, and lives every day in anticipation of the next episode. He's lost so much of his self-esteem. Hospital bills, medication, co-pays, gas, food, hotels and time off of work have taken their toll on the family's finances. The Wight family is unsure of their future even if the surgery is successful. Now they're reaching out for help to get through these deeply troubled times.
I've decided to start a GoFundMe for the Wight Family because my husband and I have been friends of theirs for 16 years, and we went through a similar situation when our son was born. We know how the bills can pile up when you're self-employed and you feel so alone. Time goes by so fast, and before you know it you're buried in debt. It all leaves you feeling helpless with no way out.
I am certain this surgery will give the Wights their life back. They are such a close and loving family, and have been through so much in the past two years. I'm asking friends, family and even people who may not know them, to please find it in your hearts to help this family as if it were your own. Any contributions will help keep food on the table and lights on in the house while the Wight family pushes through what we all hope is the final chapter in this story. Moving forward I'll provide updates on Mike's progress and the outcome of his surgery.
God bless you and thank you so much for your help.
Shandra & Clay
Organizer and beneficiary
Denise Wight
Beneficiary