Miracle of an Ordinary Guy Fund
Donation protected
When you experience a near fatal illness, you can use the moment to reflect on your own living. You’re not bound by the past; that is who you used to be. You’re reminded that your feelings are not who you are, but how you felt at that moment. Your bad choices defined you yesterday, but they are not who you are today. Your future doesn’t have to travel the same path with the same people. You can start over. You don’t have to apologize to people that won’t listen. You don’t have to justify your feelings or actions during a difficult time in your life. You don’t have to put up with people that are insecure and want you to fail. All you have to do is walk forward with a positive outlook, and trust that God has a plan that is greater than the sorrow you left behind.
My name is Mike Altenhoff and it took a long time to accept my critical life experience as a blessing instead of an agonizing death sentence. My reflection above is the “new normal” for me after the chemotherapy treatment for Stage IV Hodgkin’s Lymphoma damaged my lungs. Bleomycin toxicity caused scarring in my lungs (pulmonary fibrosis) that restricts them from expanding enough to get a deep breath. My lung capacity is limited to holding 28% air volume. The best way I can explain how it feels is for you to imagine taking a belt and tying it around your chest and pulling it tight. Next, put on a swimmers nose clamp to decrease the ability to take in air through the upper airway. Do these two things and try to swallow food, brush your teeth, or even talk. Difficult? Now try to exercise.
Bleomycin toxicity happens in 6%-10% and can be fatal. I was administered 9 doses before I was admitted to the hospital on February 25, 2016. I spent nearly 6 months in the hospital battling to learn how to breath, swallow, and move my muscles. I am restricted to continuous oxygen 24/7 ranging from 4 to 10 liters depending on level of exertion.
The gofunme campaign will be used for funding three essential costs:
1. Six months of critical care medical bills not covered by insurance;
2. Required physical therapy and occupational therapy;
3. Home renovations to accommodate wheelchair access to house, widen bathroom door, and widen backdoor to porch so I can watch my boys play.
I now understand some of life’s greatest challenges are within us. Life is a battle. A constant fight just to hang in there and not allowing “life” to beat you. The question is never how many times you get knocked down. It’s the number of times you get back on your feet.
I will not quit.
I will fight the good fight.
It’s in the struggle of the fight that we get tougher.
Please bless me with your prayers and I thank you in advance for your consideration to fund my special request with my second chance at life.
My name is Mike Altenhoff and it took a long time to accept my critical life experience as a blessing instead of an agonizing death sentence. My reflection above is the “new normal” for me after the chemotherapy treatment for Stage IV Hodgkin’s Lymphoma damaged my lungs. Bleomycin toxicity caused scarring in my lungs (pulmonary fibrosis) that restricts them from expanding enough to get a deep breath. My lung capacity is limited to holding 28% air volume. The best way I can explain how it feels is for you to imagine taking a belt and tying it around your chest and pulling it tight. Next, put on a swimmers nose clamp to decrease the ability to take in air through the upper airway. Do these two things and try to swallow food, brush your teeth, or even talk. Difficult? Now try to exercise.
Bleomycin toxicity happens in 6%-10% and can be fatal. I was administered 9 doses before I was admitted to the hospital on February 25, 2016. I spent nearly 6 months in the hospital battling to learn how to breath, swallow, and move my muscles. I am restricted to continuous oxygen 24/7 ranging from 4 to 10 liters depending on level of exertion.
The gofunme campaign will be used for funding three essential costs:
1. Six months of critical care medical bills not covered by insurance;
2. Required physical therapy and occupational therapy;
3. Home renovations to accommodate wheelchair access to house, widen bathroom door, and widen backdoor to porch so I can watch my boys play.
I now understand some of life’s greatest challenges are within us. Life is a battle. A constant fight just to hang in there and not allowing “life” to beat you. The question is never how many times you get knocked down. It’s the number of times you get back on your feet.
I will not quit.
I will fight the good fight.
It’s in the struggle of the fight that we get tougher.
Please bless me with your prayers and I thank you in advance for your consideration to fund my special request with my second chance at life.
Organizer
Michael Altenhoff
Organizer
Shorewood, IL
