Amy and Mike Koenigs, let's do this!

Dear friends, family members, and SMU alumni, of Amy and Mike Koenigs!

Please take a minute to read the love story between my cousin Mike and my dear friend, Amy! This is how their love story began.

I met Amy Loeffel during my first week at St. Mary's College (it later turned into University) in Winona, MN. We were both in the same dormitory, same floor, and both dreamed of becoming teachers in 1986. Our paths were very similar!

At the same time, my cousin Mike Koenigs just started college at St. Mary's College, too! I set them up on a date for a dorm dance, and the rest was history! They married in 1992! They welcomed 3 beautiful children to their family! They have lived in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin since they have been married.

Amy and Mike Koenigs have demonstrated the true meaning of love and commitment through this cancer journey. Amy is a gifted writer and has shared Mike's (and their journey) cancer journey on Mike's Caring Bridge site. Please click on the link to read more about their journey, and think about how you may be able to help them out financially. Currently, Mike is not able to work, so finances are tight for Amy and Mike. Please consider giving whatever you can, and hold Amy and Mike in your prayers.

Amy’s beautiful and profound words about Mike’s current condition and their journey are below.

https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/michaelkoenigs/journal

Lately, it has been a bumpy and tough road for us on Mike's cancer journey. In February, Mike was in the hospital more than he was at home as he developed some complications and reactions to the chemotherapy treatment. Fortunately, they were able to give him an antidote to reverse the neurotoxicity; but he needed to stay in the hospital for an extra day or two. The initial spinal taps indicate that the lymphoma has not yet spread to his central nervous system. We have taken that as a 'win' for now!

However; Mike easily became dehydrated and needed to return to the ED over that weekend for more fluids and pain management. Mike was able to come home and rest that evening; although the dizziness and 'foggy' feeling continued. On the following Monday, he passed out at home and was taken by ambulance back to the hospital. Mike was admitted once more for the remainder of the week as they monitored his heart rate and low blood pressure. He was given top-notch care by the endless stream of doctors, nurses, and CNAs as well as the Chaplains, OT, PT, Social Worker, and Dietician/Nutritionist. Mike was discharged the final weekend of February. Yet, he had to return to the Cancer Center Day Clinic in the following few days for more needed supplemental infusions and fluids. Slowly he began to regain some strength and 'zip' in his mood and step around the house.

On March 2nd, Mike had another CT scan to see how things were progressing. We were anticipating that Mike would have a second round of intense in-patient chemotherapy in early March. However, that had to be put on hold as Mike's lab counts were too low to move forward. On Tuesday this past week, we had a big follow-up meeting with our oncology team and learned the results of the CT scan. Unfortunately, Mike's body has not responded to the intense chemotherapy as we hoped. Therefore, he began a new chemotherapy regimen on Wednesday. The acronym for this type of chemotherapy is PBR! (We think my Grandpa Seidl is in heaven toasting 'cheers' with Milwaukee's own PBR in hand to give Mike some healing light and strength to keep up the good fight!!)

The ultimate goal is to have the lymphoma respond positively to treatment and/or be in remission in order for us to move forward with a bone marrow transplant from a donor. Mike's siblings are the preferred genetic match and they have begun the screening process we are awaiting those results.

Mike and I have had some very difficult discussions and are making some life choices and decisions for our future. Through all of the struggles and tears; we always end our little chats with a long deep breath as we give each other a gentle hug & kiss and 'squeeze' each other's hands with a glimmer of hope in our hearts.

We are so blessed to have such a wonderful circle of prayer warriors and support from our dear friends and family and even those we don't know well. This has been a very challenging time for our whole family and we are so grateful for all of your love. We are trusting in our faith in God's grace and mercy and the goodness of others to make each day joy-filled; even through all the tears, fears, and wonderings, we try our best to find moments that make us smile and be filled with hope, happiness, and love.

With love and gratitude,

Amy & Mike