Mike and Kathy Wiitala - My mom and "Dad"

Life can change so fast!

About 28 years ago, my mom had some work done on her vehicle at the Houghton, MI KMart Automotive center. I could immediately tell the chemistry between the guy (Mike) behind the counter and my mom. I later went to use the pay phone in the mall to call him and see if he would like to take my mom out for ice cream. The rest is history! My parents have been married for over 26 years and still love each other like it's the first time they met. Mike is originally from Toivola, MI, and my mom is from Chassell, MI. Mike is the most selfless person I have ever met and never once would hesitate if I needed help or just to give me words of encouragement through life. And when my mom started having health issues, Mike was always the positive one, taking care of everything that needed to be done just to make sure she was OK.

About 10 years ago, Mike was having some trouble with his ear and neck area and it was found that he had cancer. He had to be off work, went through a very painful surgery to have his lymph nodes removed and a long stint of chemo. Mike stayed strong through everything and never once complained about what he had to go through. He just wanted to get things over with and move on with life. With that diagnosis, Mike had to have frequent check-ups to make sure the cancer hadn't spread. About 2 years ago, Mike started having some very painful earaches (very common symptoms with head and neck cancers) but was told that "everything looks fine" and just come back if he had any further pain. He had to go back a few more times as the pain was so unbearable. But, he was told they didn't see anything when they looked in the ear.

Fast forward to February 2023 when Mike had his 10-year cancer check-up and MRI. He was told he was cancer free! What a relief and celebration that was. Plans of spending more time in Toivola during the summers, going fishing in the rivers together, and just spending time together is what we were really looking forward to this year.

About two weeks later, Mike noticed something didn't feel right in the back of his tongue. He went in to get things checked, had a biopsy of his tongue, and we received the most dreaded news from the Dr. - It was not good. Not only does he have a tumor at the base of his tongue, it had spread to his lymph node. My mom and dad are starting one of their many journeys to Mayo clinic tomorrow. Mike is scheduled to have 80% of his tongue removed and removal of the lymph node within the next few weeks.

With the out-of-pocket medical expenses for all the procedures and hospital stays, there will be many, many trips back and forth from Duluth to Mayo clinic and expenses for my mom to stay at a hotel to be close by as he will have to stay at Mayo's for a while after the surgery. Mike talks to customers all day (on the phone and in person) and although we can only hope for the best, he will have a difficult journey ahead to continue to work if he can't talk to people. He's off of work now as it became too painful to talk to customers. Life has already and will continue to change.

Mike, being the fighter that he is...will continue to move forward with whatever he is able to do. The VA thankfully will be able to help out with purchasing Ensure for his nasal feeding tube when he's home and may be able to help with some transportation needs from Duluth to Mayo.

I've set up a P.O. Box here in the UP if anyone would like to send words of encouragement to Mike. I'll be making trips to Duluth to help out and would love to package up some cards/letters to bring to them to read. Something to put a smile on his face as that's all he's ever wanted for others.

If you would like to send a letter or card, they can be mailed to:

Mike Wiitala c/o Bonnie

P.O. Box 343

Baraga, MI 49908

I'll be providing as many updates as I can on here. Thank you for everything!

Bonnie