Mikey Gore's Medical Journey

Mikey Gore. When you hear this name, most people get a big smile on their face and say "I know that awesome guy!" And go on to tell a great story about him!

There's a reason this happens....and it is because he IS one of the most genuine, true, honest, pure, loyal, hard working, funny humans you have ever met! Anyone that knows him, knows that he would (and always has) given the shirt off his back and his last dollar to someone in need, no matter what ♥️

As close friends and family know, Uncle Mikey has been fighting a battle for the past several months, one that none of us ever wish to have to face - Cancer. And this is his second time around with this beast since 2020, when he was first diagnosed. So, he has been at this fight, for many years now, in reality.

During this journey, this INCREDIBLE human of ours has shown some of the most powerful strengths I have ever witnessed. Bravery. Determination. Faith. Trust. Fight. Resilience. Courage. Focused Mind. And so many more strengths that it takes to ride this unwanted path.

One of the very first things he told me and our family was that he didn't want anyone to know, because he didn't want to disrupt or burden anyone. Exactly what we would expect from him, right?! Because that IS who he is!

He would rather fight and suffer silently, than to bother anyone else. That is who he is through and through!

With deep respect for him, we honored his wishes and kept things as private as possible, because his focus needed to be on healing and nothing else.

And trust me when I say he has been focused and determined since the very first day of diagnosis and he has taught me (and so many others) what TRUE strength is! He is my hero in ways that most will never be able to understand!! The love I have for him, is immeasurable.

Many months into this recent journey of recurrance and with many mountains climbed and conquered, we are preparing to do the same for the next set of mountains this journey has placed on his path.

In each day, each moment, each appointment, I have reminded Uncle Mikey of all of the love and support I have received for him from those that heard the news and I used these moments to teach him....just HOW AMAZING HE IS!!! And that because of this, his people are showing up and wanting to be a part of helping him thru his journey! What an awesome and incredible testament to the type of human he is!!

His pride is immense and he just couldn't understand how he could 'burden' anyone or 'why' people wanted to help him. He is too genuine, to a fault. It is what makes him the exceptional human that he is!!

He has felt so much love and received support from many of you, and I can tell you that YOU have made such an impact and difference in someone who thought he was a "burden", so THANK YOU!!!!

With his blessing, he has finally given me the ok to put his story out there, for those that know him, love him and care so deeply about him.

He has an incredible team of doctors up at OHSU that are leading him to kicking this devil of a beast out of his life forever!

(If you ever face a similar situation, please fight to go to OHSU, trust me! I am forever indebted to them for saving my Uncle!)

We have spent the last several months up there going through very aggressive treatments and many appointments to maintain all that is needed to win this fight! With many more scheduled over the next several months that are critical to his care.

The next phase will be chemo, as soon as his body is healed from all the radiation he received (5 weeks straight). When I say he is my hero, this is just one of the many reasons "why".

We will begin heading back to Portland this week, for the next 3 weeks, for various appointments to prep for this. And once chemo begins, they project it will be for approximately 4 months, given all goes smoothly. We will not know until then if he will be required to stay up there for the entirety of this treatment or if he can come and go.

For those that have ever faced a medical crisis, you quickly learn the depth of emotional, mental, physical and financial devastation it brings instantaneously over night. It's a whirlwind to say the least.

In one doctor appointment, all of these areas of his life changed drastically and left so many traces of pure devastation. There is nothing fair about the truths something of this nature brings and its so heartwrenching, especially when you can't make it all go away for someone you love so dearly.

Due to the aggressive treatments he receives and will be receiving over the next several months, he has not been able to work since January 2023 and will not be able to return for quite some time after chemo has been completed and the doctor feels his body has recovered enough to get back into the workforce. This has probably been one of the hardest adjustments for him, because as we all know, he is a very hard worker and likes to make his own way. And to stay busy. He will get there, I keep reminding him this is only temporary!

As I mentioned earlier, I have had so many reach out asking "how can I/we help?" and this was a little difficult because he didn't want to burden anyone by telling his story for so long. Now that I have his blessing, I believe this platform (GoFundMe) will help provide all of you a way to support him, like you have graciously been asking and wanting to do ♥️ Thank you for your patience while we got to this place, his healing has been the # 1 priority.

One of the saddest parts of this, is realizing how much it costs...to be ill. The last thing ANYONE should have to worry about, while fighting for their life!! Healing should be their only focus. I wish this upon NO ONE!

Uncle Mikey is into this most recent diagnosis almost 9 months already (with many more ahead) and is feeling the deep pressures and stress because he hasn't been able to work and things have been inevitably piling up since January. Travel to/from Portland for his appointments alone is an expense that adds up so quickly. Some require overnights/multiple nights. He has special dietary needs that also add up quickly. Medication and out of pocket medical expenses are extensive. Not being able to meet obligations such as monthly bills and rent, due to not being able to work. The list seems to be never ending, sadly. If I ever win the lottery, I know where I will donate...because I know the direct devastation these situations bring to people.

Stress is awful for cancer. As we know, cancer doesn't care who you are, that you have responsibilities, or anything else. So, the pieces are left to be picked up, somehow.

It definitely takes a village....to help someone thru a sickness.

For anyone who doesn't know me, I am April (Vail) and I am Uncle Mikey's niece. He has entrusted me, with his life literally, to help him through this journey. I have been beside him since day one and every day since and will forever be! It has been one of the most honoring things of my entire life, truly ♥️

I would do absolutely anything for him, he is my person. My brother is Nick (Randle) and my mom is Teresa (Randle). Many friends of his know me also. Just ask, if you have any questions on this fundraiser. I will ensure that he is taken care of with any help he receives.

If you can please help us in spreading the word of his fundraiser by sharing on your social media accounts, with friends and family, word of mouth, we would appreciate in ways that you will never understand! I know there are so so many that want to help, I just need help getting it in front of everyone that knows him and loves him!

Most importantly, I ask for prayers for him.

He is one of the strongest humans I have ever known and I just want him healed.

Part of this is the power of prayer, and him hearing words of encouragement from all of you! Because trust me, all of you mean the world to him! We have had so so many conversations during all of this, and he feels so blessed to have everyone in his life that he does!

Please feel free to share your love and care on this page in the comments section, or you can always send it to me and I will make sure he gets every one of them! Those that have been sending their words of encouragement over these last few months, I have shared with him, and I wish you could see how much it lights up his face ♥️ Positivity and normalcy are key in this, and so many of you are helping him along his journey by being these two simple things to him!

THANK YOU for loving and caring about one of the most SELFLESS humans we all are so Blessed to know and have in our lives!

On a side note, I will continue to leave the "Amazon" fundraiser going for those that prefer to help in that way. I will leave the link here: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/QNI7RX67QTF8?ref_=wl_share.

It can also be found on my personal Facebook page pinned at the top.

This avenue provides him with Visa gift cards that can be used anywhere and that he can easily use for things he needs. The amazon gift cards are used to order items off amazon that he needs/requires.

Just trying to offer different options!

For those that prefer to donate cash, please reach out to me and I will make sure it gets to him!

THANK YOU for your time in reading this, I know it was very long. But, it was important that we make sure you all understand and that you also know the deep appreciation he and our entire family have for each of you that care about our uncle, brother, father, grandpa, cousin....Mikey Gore ♥️

P.S. The pic you see above was taken in the midst of his 5 week radiation treatment, right outside of where he received treatment!

His passion for fishing is unlike anything I have ever seen, his happy place! Even in the hardest parts of his journey, he continues to be strong, positive and keeps his mind focused and strong....which IS one of the things you MUST have on this journey! I can't wait for him to go fishing every river, lake, ocean...cancer free!!!