Young Dad of 5 with Advanced Cancer
Donation protected
Just weeks after the birth of his 5th child, Mickey Losinski has learned his cancer has returned. In December of 2013 at age 41, Mickey was diagnosed with Colon Cancer. During that year he underwent a very aggressive and involved surgery to remove the tumor. The following year brought many struggles as he endured chemotherapy as well as multiple hospitalizations to treat complications of his surgery. All of this was in addition to working as a professor of special education at Kansas State University, being a husband, and a father of 4 the youngest of whom was only a year old.
Cancer is not the first struggle Mickey and Lisa Losinski have had to face. In 2007 Mickey and Lisa welcomed their first child Oliver into the world. His early childhood development did not progress as expected and he was diagnosed with Autism in 2011. Their 2nd child, a daughter named Eliot, was born almost 2 months premature requiring aggressive medical support. Lisa suffered two miscarriages before welcoming a 3rd child, this time a perfectly healthy baby girl named Emily. Things seemed to be smoothing out. Mickey was earning his PhD at Clemson and Lisa was working as an oncology nurse practitioner. Then, at 19 weeks pregnant with their 4th child, a rare and often fatal fetal condition was discovered at a routine OB appointment. They went through invasive diagnostics and fetal treatment, bracing themselves for the worst. His prognosis was very poor, but miraculously Auguste survived and is now almost 3 years old.
Despite all of the heartache and struggle, Mickey and Lisa have persevered. In October of 2014, Mickey was able complete his third marathon. Sadly, not long after finishing the race he began to suffer complications of his previous surgery. He required several procedures to help alleviate the symptoms without success, ultimately requiring a resection of his bowel resulting in a colostomy. A few months later he underwent yet another surgery to reverse the colostomy. Follow up scans were clear and Mickey and Lisa vowed to move forward with their lives. Lisa learned she was pregnant with their 5th child, another son! They had so many worries and fears as a result of previous pregnancies, but little Oak was born perfect and healthy in November of 2015.
Life has not been easy for Mickey and Lisa. As of now, they are exploring experimental treatment at Mayo Clinic and will then resume chemotherapy in effort to treat the cancer that has spread to Mickey’s lungs. Every trip to Mayo will require airfare and hotel. Trips may be frequent. Lisa must stay behind to care for the children as they have no family close by to help. There will be copays, deductibles, and a large share of costs as chemotherapy treatments will be expensive. Mickey will undoubtedly miss days to weeks of work and there will come a time when he may not be able to work at all. Provided he is feeling well, the goal is also to take the family to meet Mickey’s relatives in Oregon during the summer. Mickey’s prognosis is poor now that the cancer has metastasized. His expected survival is estimated to be 2 to 3 years, though with experimental treatment 5 years may be hopeful. This would allow their new baby an opportunity to create some memories of his dad. There is no guarantee as to Mickey’s quality of life during his remaining years, but with your support some financial pressures can be alleviated. Please support the Losinski Family in any way, from a prayer, to a donation, or even if just by sharing this page. With love and deepest gratitude, The Losinski Family.
Cancer is not the first struggle Mickey and Lisa Losinski have had to face. In 2007 Mickey and Lisa welcomed their first child Oliver into the world. His early childhood development did not progress as expected and he was diagnosed with Autism in 2011. Their 2nd child, a daughter named Eliot, was born almost 2 months premature requiring aggressive medical support. Lisa suffered two miscarriages before welcoming a 3rd child, this time a perfectly healthy baby girl named Emily. Things seemed to be smoothing out. Mickey was earning his PhD at Clemson and Lisa was working as an oncology nurse practitioner. Then, at 19 weeks pregnant with their 4th child, a rare and often fatal fetal condition was discovered at a routine OB appointment. They went through invasive diagnostics and fetal treatment, bracing themselves for the worst. His prognosis was very poor, but miraculously Auguste survived and is now almost 3 years old.
Despite all of the heartache and struggle, Mickey and Lisa have persevered. In October of 2014, Mickey was able complete his third marathon. Sadly, not long after finishing the race he began to suffer complications of his previous surgery. He required several procedures to help alleviate the symptoms without success, ultimately requiring a resection of his bowel resulting in a colostomy. A few months later he underwent yet another surgery to reverse the colostomy. Follow up scans were clear and Mickey and Lisa vowed to move forward with their lives. Lisa learned she was pregnant with their 5th child, another son! They had so many worries and fears as a result of previous pregnancies, but little Oak was born perfect and healthy in November of 2015.
Life has not been easy for Mickey and Lisa. As of now, they are exploring experimental treatment at Mayo Clinic and will then resume chemotherapy in effort to treat the cancer that has spread to Mickey’s lungs. Every trip to Mayo will require airfare and hotel. Trips may be frequent. Lisa must stay behind to care for the children as they have no family close by to help. There will be copays, deductibles, and a large share of costs as chemotherapy treatments will be expensive. Mickey will undoubtedly miss days to weeks of work and there will come a time when he may not be able to work at all. Provided he is feeling well, the goal is also to take the family to meet Mickey’s relatives in Oregon during the summer. Mickey’s prognosis is poor now that the cancer has metastasized. His expected survival is estimated to be 2 to 3 years, though with experimental treatment 5 years may be hopeful. This would allow their new baby an opportunity to create some memories of his dad. There is no guarantee as to Mickey’s quality of life during his remaining years, but with your support some financial pressures can be alleviated. Please support the Losinski Family in any way, from a prayer, to a donation, or even if just by sharing this page. With love and deepest gratitude, The Losinski Family.
Organizer and beneficiary
Allison Mendez
Organizer
Carmel Highlands, CA
Lisa Johnson-Losinski
Beneficiary
