Mike Symank ~~It takes a Village to fight cancer!!

We can honestly say that we did not see this coming at all.  However, God’s plans are not always our plans.  A few weeks ago, my brother, Mike Symank went to the doctor due to "symptoms" for what was thought to possibly be a routine doctor’s appointment.  However, the plans changed based on an EKG showing an abnormal heart beat.  He was sent to the ER where he was in the hospital for a few days as they ran numerous tests on him to see what was causing the instability along with major swelling in the legs and other unknown issues. Prior to leaving the hospital, he was told the words that our family has heard way too many times….You have cancer (please note, I have never capitalized that word in my life and I am not going to start now)…Michael, as some of us call him, was diagnosed with Stage 3 Kidney cancer.  The cancer tumor on his right kidney was found to have spread into the Interior Vena Cava creating a large restriction of blood flow returning to the heart. The referrals to specialists have guided Mike to receive surgery and treatment at UT Southwestern cancer Center. As some of us know, this is the third time for our family to be hit with this beast, My Mom, Joan Symank was diagnosed in 2006 and was cancer free for almost 8 years and then it came back again 2016, my precious little boy, Benjamin was diagnosed at the age of 5 ½ with a brain tumor and became blind and deaf due to treatment.  Trust me, this is not something new to our family. However, we are seriously reaching out for help for Mike and his family.  Mike’s wife, Kim is working as much as she can at American Airlines, but still will be missing quite a bit of work, in order to take Mike to his appointments.  Mike and Kim have three precious children, Jordan 14, Logan 13 and Katelynn 10.  Although, no one ever wants to go through this, we would appreciate it, if you could help them in anyway possible.  Mike has a great job at Vandergriff Honda and has been a cornerstone of the service department for years. Mike has a salary structure based on productivity and so therefore, he will not be able to bring home a paycheck based on full potential for quite some time!  Vandergriff Honda will be also assisting, in this time of need and we thank them greatly!   He will have a recovery time of over two months or more.  This is definitely hitting the family hard as Mike is so loyal to his job and loves it immensely that he's already talking about going back before projected… still stubborn!  As you know, bills will be mounting and there are so many other things they will need help with along this unexpected path!  If you can help in anyway, it will be greatly appreciated by the Symank family. God Bless Mike and his family as they go down this very familiar road.  If you would like to contact me personally, I am Michael’s sister, Kelley Landrey and I can be contacted at [email redacted]  Please continue to pray for Mike as he goes through this journey and the rest of the family as well!
 
God Bless You All
Kelley Landrey