Mike Russell (Zeke's) Journey

As many of you know, Mike is on a new “journey” as he was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia. He was admitted to the Cleveland Clinic on June 6, 2022, where he began his treatment. A treatment “roadmap” was laid out for him by his team of doctors and health care providers. The destination is a stem cell transplant which will give him a new direction on his journey to complete remission.

This journey is one he accepted and took on “full steam ahead”. As many of you know, Mike is one of the toughest individuals you will ever meet. Over the years, his extra-curricular activities have been football, jiu-jitsu, tough-mudder competitions, kettlebell workouts and volunteer firefighting. Mike is all about the “journey.” He has a passion for life, having fun and riding motorcycles. He loves the freedom on his bike.

The person riding “shotgun” with Mike on this journey is his wife, Jeaneen. She has been his rock and is with him for every appointment and test. She has made countless trips to the Clinic from Mentor. His entire family is so grateful for the care she has given to Mike.

Mike has many people along for this ride of his. You all have been so kind and supportive. Many of you have visited the Clinic, sent him cards or messaged him on Facebook. He has remained positive and thankful for all of you. Please continue with your prayers. Please add Mike to your prayer groups.

As stated previously, the destination is a stem cell transplant leading to complete remission. The good news is his brother Steve has gone through numerous tests and will likely be Mike’s donor. A tentative date of September 28th had been set as his transplant date. As with most journeys, however, Mike’s has hit a temporary detour. As he described it the other day, he now has to take another route.

After an initial 28-day chemo regimen, beginning in June, then three weeks at home, he was back at the Clinic for another five days of chemo. All was going according to the “triptik”. Then in mid-August, he began to experience severe side effects, including unbearable pain and fevers. He was re-admitted to the Clinic, and has been enduring a barrage of tests. We have now learned he will have five days of radiation on an optic nerve and further chemo afterward, as the cancer is back in his bone marrow. So his transplant is now on hold.

A few days ago, Mike spoke of a 37-mile tough-mudder type event he took part in several years ago in Pittsburgh. He said it was one of the most challenging events he had ever participated in. At a certain low point in the race, he would select a tree in front of him, and his goal would be to reach that tree. When he got to that tree, he would select another as his next goal. He was able to finish that race by achieving those small goals. He told himself he was not going to give up. He said his current “journey” is like that race. He selects small goals, and when he achieves those, he looks forward to his next goal. His next goal is to endure the radiation and the next round of chemo. Although this is a temporary detour, his destination is still a bone marrow transplant and complete remission. He is not going to give up.

As his journey continues, there are medical expenses not covered by insurance. In addition, there is a loss of income from work. To date, Mike's only request has been for your prayers and for you to donate blood in your local community. However, many of you have been asking if there is something else you could do to help.

If you would like to help with some of these extraordinary expenses, this account has been created to help. Thanks to all of you for supporting Mike, Jeaneen and his family.