Help Mike beat Rare Stage IV Blood Cancer

Hey all, I'm Janine and I started this fundraiser to help us pay for medical and every day expenses while my husband Michael (Mike) fights a rare stage IV blood cancer. I took a Family Medical Leave from my employment to be his primary caregiver but unfortunately it is unpaid. Our family and friends have been a great support system for us during this journey and we're so unbelievably grateful.

In September, Mike went to our primary care physician to have some lumps examined. He had some in his groin area, his neck and under his armpit. The lumps in his groin were causing him to limp and experience pain while walking. He realized he often felt very tired and tasks that were easy before became more challenging.

 

Our doctor ordered an ultrasound to looks at the lumps. The results came back that he needed to get a fine needle biopsy. The biopsy results showed it was possibly Hodgkins Lymphoma but not confirmed.

 

So, his medical team requested a Petscan to get a better look at the swollen lymph nodes. When the Petscan results came in Mike's Nurse Navigator instructed us to go to the Emergency Room immediately as there were swollen lymph nodes in very concerning parts of his body. From the scan results we were able to see the lymph nodes in his neck area (which at this point were causing him to cough), in his groin area, armpit, around his heart, in his spine and some in his bones.

 

When we arrived at the emergency room, we were told Mike would be admitted so his Oncology team could expedite tests and monitor him closely. We were there for a few days, where he did a lot of blood work and met with his Oncology team to discuss their plans. They performed a Barium Swallow Test to make sure the lymph nodes in his throat area weren't causing breathing or eating issues, the results were satisfactory to his doctors.. He met with a Physical Therapist and Occupational therapist to assess his body strength. He was experiencing more weakness in his legs, especially his left leg. His Oncology team decided at this point to do a biopsy of one of the lymph nodes because they still couldn't figure out his diagnosis. They removed two lymph nodes from his right armpit.

 

In October, we finally received his exact diagnosis which was Stage 4 Nodular Lymphocyte Rich Hodgkins Lymphoma. Mike's Oncologist team informed us that this is a rare type of Hodgkins Lymphoma and that it unfortunately has a very high reoccurring rate. The best treatment plan would be 6 months of chemotherapy followed by radiation treatment to make sure all traces of the lymph nodes were properly treated.

 

Currently, we are in his second cycle of chemo and it still feels like a blur. Mike's become even more weak, tired, emotional and unable to do a lot on his own. Even bathing and walking has become a challenge for him.  We don't know how long Mike will be in this fight so we appreciate all the help and continued well wishes & prayers we receive.

 

I know Mike wants to get back to making kick a*s signs, working on his car (before his diagnosis he got his dream car, a Volvo S80) and for us to get back to enjoying our mini adventures together (like Hiking with our Husky rescue Naomi, going to Antique Malls & Disney).

 

I thank you all in advance for your support and even if you can't give please share it with others. I will be updating you all here and I also document Mike's Cancer Journey on our instagram @DownWrightRandom

 

Thanks so much!

Janine
#GetMikeBetter