Please Help Michael Recover from Spinal Tumors

Hi my name is Ines. I am 64 years old and I am a caregiver to everyone around me that is in need. My family is my life. I have a very close knit family and we always try to help each other as much as we can.

I am starting this Go fund me for my nephew, Michael. He is 35 years old and has four children. His wife Carolyn, is a stay at home mom. Last November they were blessed with twins. Michael is a very hard worker and was working two jobs, painting during the week and a waiter on weekends.

During this time he was also taking classes and testing to join a union to become an Operational Engineer.

Last Spring Michael started to have back pain. He thought he had a backache from doing strenuous work. He kept pushing himself and working through it. As the pain got progressively worse by the end of June, he was unable to work, lie down or sit. He had to stand most of the time.

Realizing that this was not a backache, he found an orthopedic that said he needed an MRI. The MRI showed tumors in his spinal canal. At this point he was told he needed a neurosurgeon. His wife got him an appointment with a neurosurgeon which warranted more MRI’s and an Oncologist.

So finally after all testing and visits, Michael had spinal surgery on September 7th. His surgery was 7 hours and we prayed he would not have nerve damage. The pathology came back as the tumors being

Spinal Ependymomas. They are measured in grades I, II and III. Grades I and II as being benign and grade III as cancer.

Thank God Michael’s tumors were grade II and had not reached the cancer stage. He had two tumors. One tumor in the upper spinal canal, (described by the surgeon as long as a finger) was removed completely. The lower tumor which was in the sacrum was entangled in the nerves, therefore, 80% of this tumor was removed.

Although benign these tumors grow and spread like cancer and can recur.

Michael is now able to walk and sit and lie down. He is waiting to regain all bodily functions and claims he feels it is slowly getting better.

Michael visited the Oncologist on

September 27th. He was told he needed 6 weeks of radiation to destroy the 20% of the sacral tumor which is tangled in the nerves. He first needs genetic testing results for Lynch Syndrome (a gene mutation that runs in our family) which makes you susceptible to many different cancers.

He also saw his neurosurgeon on

September 27th. His surgeon told him he needs a spinal tap to make sure there are no tumor cells in his spinal fluid. These cells if found in his spinal fluid can cause more spinal tumors and brain tumors.

Michael asked his Dr. When he can go back to work and the Dr. told him that he cannot work until he is completely recovered after radiation treatments.

So this brings me to the reason that I am reaching out to everyone. Michael cannot work and support his family for at least 3-4 months. His wife who we call Superwoman, is completely rundown from caring for everyone.

They are in need of financial help to get their family through the next 3-4 months. This fund will be used for their rent, any medical bills they may incur and monthly bills to survive this difficult time.

This is so important to me because my nephew is an extraordinary person.

Michael always sees the glass as half full. He has a great spirit and will always give someone the benefit of the doubt. He never has a bad thing to say about anyone. He is a kind gentle husband and father. His family always comes first and he has a heart of gold.

Please find it in your heart to give whatever you can to help Michael be the best Dad and husband he can be during his rehabilitation and recovery.

Thank You,

Sincerely,

(Aunt) Ines