Michael Kosty's Medical Memorial

The funds collected will be used by Michael's family towards the medical, housing, food, and gas debt that was accumulated during his EXTENDED hospital stay.

Following a lengthy battle Michael Kosty, age 59, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on July 18th, 2023, in Ann Arbor at Michigan Medicine. Michael is survived and will be greatly missed by his wife of 32 years Debra and children Joseph and Micaela Kosty. Michael was a fighter and is now free from pain and suffering. He made an impact on many lives and will be forever missed.

Michael was a strong man who faced a difficult medical journey throughout his life.

He was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Non-lymphoma cancer in 1993 and underwent chemo and radiation that saved his life. However, left his heart and lungs compromised. This is what started the 30-year battle with his body including countless hospital stays and life-saving surgeries. Michael had numerous heart surgeries due to his everlasting congestive heart failure, arrhythmia issues, calcification, and valve weakening. He underwent a major open heart surgery in 2011 at Cleveland Clinic which gave him 12 extra years to spend with his family and friends. As time went on Michael’s lungs continued to weaken as he became dependent on oxygen, however, did not let that interfere with his positive mindset. Some other health complications including chronic stomach bleeding (almost taking his life one Christmas), kidney failure, mechanical aortic valve and multiple stents.

His most recent battle was after a massive LAD heart attack in March 2023, where he was airlifted from Mclaren Hospital to the University of Michigan to save his life. Due to the heart attack his body went into cardiogenic shock which had numerous organs failing. He was on multiple life supports and his body fought to peel each one off over a 2-month hospital stay. After a long fight, he eventually made it back home after a stay in inpatient rehab. Michael worked hard to regain some strength and independence in the month he was home. Unfortunately, he developed some leg pain which caused him to land back in the hospital for a retroperitoneal hematoma. During this week-long hospital stay, Michael's kidneys started to decline and he suffered respiratory failure which landed him in the ICU on life support. Michael went into another round of his organs shutting down, this time it was too much for his body to recover from so palliative care was begun. He passed away July 18th, 2023 surrounded by his family.

His wife Debra demonstrated what it meant to love unconditionally as she was by his side at every single doctor's appointment and slept at his bedside during all hospital stays. While at the hospital this spring, his wife stayed at an on-site hotel each night to be close by and advocate for Michael and his recovery. While providing that type of support was possibly the reason Michael was able to come through his March-May hospital stay, it came at a cost. Michael’s medical expenses, hotel room charges for family to be nearby, food, and gas quickly added up.

Michael was a fighter and is now free from pain and suffering. He made an impact on many lives and will be forever missed.