Mighty Michael's Mission to Beat Cancer

WOULD YOU CONSIDER HELPING THE JOHANSEN FAMILY?

Recently, Michael Johansen underwent the second in his young life brain surgery.  On top of everything the family is going through, they have learned that insurance changes are going to make it impossible to cover all of the medical costs they are facing.  We are turning to you for help!  Please consider making a financial gift to go towards upcoming out-of-pocket medical expenses, co-pays and premiums.


MICHAEL'S STORY

The Johansen's are so appreciative of all your prayers and love for their strong boy.  They cherish each and every day with their Mighty Michael and praise God for the time He has given them, even as they pray for many more such days. 

When Michael was nine months old his head began to tilt to the side.   The Johansen's pediatrician was concerned and ordered an MRI.  As their sweet baby was brought back into the recovery room following the scan, the radiologist said that Michael's doctor wanted to talk with them on the phone.  Their worst fears were realized as a brain tumor was confirmed and their nightmare began. 

That very afternoon they rushed Michael up to Children's Hospital in Seattle where they found out that Michael's tumor was located next to his brain stem and wrapped around his cranial nerves.  It was most likely cancer and he would need to have a risky operation to remove as much of the tumor as possible.  They were sent home with steroids to bring down the swelling in Michael's little brain and to prepare for the procedure. 

On the Sunday before Michael's scheduled surgery, his tumor began to hemorrhage and they almost lost their sweet boy on the side of the freeway.  However, God spared their son.  Michael had an emergency tumor resection but remained in a coma for eight days.  When he awoke he could not move or breathe on his own, resulting in another surgery to place a trach and feeding tube.  They were told there was a good chance Michael would never walk, let alone run.  But movement slowly started to return to his little body.  The pathology report showed that the tumor was a slow growing, hard to cure form of cancer called an Ependymoma.  Chemotherapy was not an effective treatment so a day after his first birthday Michael began a five week course of radiation to his brain. 

Finally, after three months at Seattle Children's Hospital Michael was sent home.  Six months after his tumor hemorrhaged Michael's trach was removed and a few months later the feeding tube came out.  God had performed a miracle for their boy.

At the age of two and a half Michael started to walk and then run in a diagonal, hopping sort of way.  God had performed another miracle.  For two years MRI's showed no new cancer growth or tumors.  Then in 2006 a spot appeared on the scans.  By October the spot had grown and they knew Michael's cancer had returned.  Because of the nature of recurrent ependymomas, they were left with few treatment options and no known cures.  After much prayer, Michael underwent a gamma knife surgery which stopped the growth of the tumor.  They were told it was likely that Michael would continue to have more frequent recurrences until the cancer took full hold, no treatment options would remain and the end would come.  For most children the cancerous ependymomas come back within two years, if not sooner. 

By God's grace, Michael miraculously went TWELVE AND A HALF years with no new signs of cancer.  That just doesn't happen with ependymomas!  Then in May 2019, doctors noticed a new spot on Michael's routine MRI.  By August the spot and grown and they were told it was most likely another recurrence.  Only this time it appeared to be growing in the brain stem and once again involved the cranial nerves.  On Thursday, August 29th, now a strong and strapping 16 years old, Michael underwent his second brain surgery.  With his characteristic huge smile on his face going in and his main concern being that he would miss school, his friends and his cat, he only asked for a hug.

Following surgery, the Johansen's were told the wonderful news that the surgeon got more of the mass than expected.  Michael woke up smiling, sweet, and was quickly chatting with all of his many visitors.   Although MRI results after surgery showed he had suffered a small stroke and his balance was affected,  he was still able to go home 72 hours after surgery on Sunday, September 1st .

The Johansen's are still awaiting pathology reports and a tumor board meeting to determine what comes next in Michael's treatment.  There is concern about a remaining spot in the tumor bed.  There are some treatments that won't be an option any more (radiation) because of all the radiation damage and trauma that has happened in Michael's brain already.  So... they await the results and a plan as he begins Physical and Speech Therapy once again.   And they continue to walk in hope that another miracle will again occur.

The marathon that Michael's surgeon has called it has more than begun.  There are so many more miles ahead, with much of the terrain not yet navigated.  We do know that further treatment will be needed, as well as extensive therapy.  Our Go Fund Me page is set up as a means to share Michael's story and updates with you, as well as to ask for financial help.  The Johansen's have recently learned that they will no longer be able to keep the insurance Michael has been on, which will significantly increase their out-of-pocket expenses, co-pays and premiums.  They are looking at a lot of different specialist visits, MRI's, therapies and probable surgeries to correct his eye. 

This is just the beginning.  We know that the Johansen's and Michael have a huge army of support, and we thank you all for your outpouring of love already to this dear family.  We understand that there are many ways to help, but in this specific way we are hoping to alleviate the financial burdens as one less thing they have to worry about at this time.  Thank you in advance for blessing them in any way you are able.