Ringing the Bell

At the office where Mike had his chemo treatments, everyone gets to ring the bell once they are done with the treatments.

And the survey says...

Mike went to the doctor to get his test results today. The doctor ordered a PET scan to be done before he went in for the regularly scheduled appointment. While that was originally concerning, it ended up being a good thing. The doctor was able to confirm that THE CANCER WAS GONE! It was a very challenging and hard battle, but all of the suffering has proved to be worthwhile.



While we were all optimistic and hopeful, it is just so relieving and exciting to know that he has been able to overcome this terrible disease. He is still out of shape and battered from all of the treatments, but knowing him he will be working out and being active sooner than he should be. Now we will have to see if his hair comes back.



We are so grateful for all of the support and help that so many people have provided. It was truly great to see the love of those around him. Family, friends and neighbors all pulled together and it was truly appreciated. Thanks.



Mike will still need to go back for check ups every three months to make sure there is no relapse, so continue to pray for him. We will post some pictures and may add some updates in the future.



Thanks again for everyone's love!

MRI

Mike had an MRI done on Friday. He will not get the results back until later this week. We hope that the results are good and the treatments have been working.

He has enjoyed the time off from all of the medicine and has been trying to get around. On Saturday he went to Carter's (his grandson) tee ball game. He is definitely not at full strength, but he has been feeling much better and has not been sick. Sometimes he probably does more than he should, but I guess that's his personality. Hopefully he will continue to get stronger and put some weight back on.

We should know the results from the MRI on Friday, and will post a message once we find out.

Getting stronger

Mike got out of the hospital Friday after receiving 2 blood transfusions to increase his blood level. The doctors were also watching his white blood cell count and gave him some shots to make sure that was at the appropriate level.

He is home now and starting to get better. He is able to eat better than he has and hopefully will be able to put on some of the weight he has lost. He is done with the scheduled chemo treatments and now just has to wait a couple weeks before the doctor will do an MRI and see how well the treatments worked. If the cancer tumors are not gone, they will need to look at some of the options such as additional chemo or possibly cutting them out. We will just have to wait and see what the status is once he does the tests.

For now, he just needs to get stronger and relax. Usually this week would be when he goes back to the full week cycle, so it should be a welcomed rest. Hopefully he can get his strength back and feel much better than he has.

Back to the Hospital

On Sunday Mike had to return to the hospital. He was very weak and not able to to function. When he got to the hospital he found out that his blood count was low and that he did not have any white blood cells. So, he was given blood and they are being very careful to make sure he does not get any infections since his body does not have any way to fight off diseases right now. He is feeling a little better this morning, but even after 2 units of blood, he is much lower than normal. We will have to wait and see if he will get any more blood. He is going to remain in the hospital until he gets a little better and his white blood count goes up. They are also going to do several tests to see what else they need to do.

Tomorrow he is scheduled to receive his last dose of the chemo treatment. At this point that may get delayed if he is not able to handle the treatment. We should know more as he gets more test results. Hopefully he can get strong enough to complete the last treatment and continue to fight off the cancer.

Hopefully things will turn around and the road to recovery is coming soon!

Alomost Done

Although it was a little delayed, yesterday was the last day of the full week chemo treatments. It was scheduled to be completed last Friday, but Mike was not feeling well and they decided to wait until Monday to do the last day of the week long cycle. All that is left is for his Tuesday cycles, one today and one next Tuesday. Mike is really looking forward to being able to recover and get his strength back. Right now he is scheduled to have at least 3 weeks off before doing anything else.

The doctors will do tests and MRI's some time after his last cycle next week. It is a little unclear whether they will do the tests immediately after, or if they will give it a week or two before the tests. Either way we will be praying that the cancer is gone and this experience is over. If there is still cancer present, other options will have to be looked at to get rid of the cancer.

For now, Mike is trying to gain some weight and watching the Olympics. Thanks for everyone's support and prayers.

Matt

Final Round

Mike started his last round of chemo yesterday. There was some concern with his platelet level last week. He had blood work done early yesterday and it showed that he was ok to continue with the scheduled treatment. He had been doing really well the last few days and now it is back to the grind. Yesterday was good and the doctors are trying to be proactive to prevent a trip to the hospital again. Hopefully they will be able to keep him feeling better and he can complete the last 3 weeks without any issues.

An MRI last week showed that the cancer tumors are shrinking and he is making progress. Hopefully he will be able to get rid of the cancer completely in the last 3 weeks. If not, they will have to look at other options such as removing the tumors.

Thanks for everyone's support and prayers. Please feel free to call, post or send an email to Mike. As many of you know he likes to stay busy and he gets bored very easy just sitting around. I am sure he would like to hear how you are doing.

Matt

Garage Sale report

The garage sale turned out to be a huge success. We were out there around 4 am getting ready and setting everything up. It was unbelievable how much stuff was donated. We want to thank everyone that donated and helped out with the sale, as well as many who stopped by and supported the effort. The church members were there at 4 am also, setting up a gas stove and preparing some great breakfast. They were able to sell a ton of delicious food. Neighbors from all around came out to get breakfast and say hi. We are so grateful for everyone's generosity and kindness especially from people Mike has never met. It just turned out as good as we could have hoped for.

Again thank you for your love and support!

Matt

Lots of GOOD STUFF!

We have recieved lots of good stuff for the yard sale on Saturday. We have a big screen TV(a few smaller TV's), a stereo, an organ, furniture, baby and kid stuff, and lots more. It should be very successful. The location of the sale will be at Signal Butte and Guadalupe in the Santa Rita Ranch Community. It will be in the common area on Plata, there will be lots of signs to direct you there. Some people from Mike's church will be out cooking a yummy breakfast for a low price. We are trying to get everything organized, so if you are still planning on donating please do so on Wednesday or Thursday. Pick up is available just let us know. Email Ihatecancer@live.com or call Matt at 480-620-5403 or Amy at 480-907-9182. Thanks again for everyone's support.

Keep It Coming!

First of all, thanks so much to all of you that have been donating items for the yard sale on Saturday. We have received many items and lots of support for this event. Our family is so grateful for the kindness we have received. Mike is doing well, he got out to watch his grandson's basketball game on Saturday, something he loves to do but has not been able to do lately. Mike really appreciates the calls, comments on this blog and emails. Please keep those yard sale donations coming and tell all your friends to come out on Saturday!

He's Back Home!

Mike was released from the hospital this afternoon and is doing better. He is able to eat and hold everything down for now. He had a brain scan done because of the blurred vision he had been having and everything was clear. However he also had an MRI done on his tumor, and it is still showing cancer. The oncologist is optimistic and Mike still has 5 more weeks of chemo to go. Please continue to pray. Feel free call or stop by his house. Also continue to the spread the word about the yard sale August 2. Thank you!

Back to the Hospital

Well, he is back in the hospital. My dad finished his 3rd round of chemo on Friday and was doing well for the most part. Unfortunately the bad part really starts to kick in towards the end and the days after. He has been dizzy and weak the last couple of days and the doctor told him to head back to the hospital. While it is not the most enjoyable place, it should help him get better. He is going to need additional units of blood and will have an IV to keep him hydrated. We are not sure how long he will be in this time.

Hopefully he will start to feel better and be able to rest at home.

Matt

Fundraiser

Recently Mike learned that his health insurance was not covering all that he was expecting. That, along with the fact that his long-term disability is still in limbo is causing a strain on his finances. With so many bills piling up, his children have decided to have a fundraiser to try and help ease this financial burden. We are having a Cancer Yard Sale on Saturday August 2 from 5 am until 12 pm in the Santa Rita Ranch neighborhood park on Plata. We are asking for yard sale items to be donated. Donations can be dropped off at 10664 E Plata in Mesa or 1384 E Bluebird in Gilbert. If needed, we can arrange to pick up items as well. Please tell everyone you know about the yard sale in hopes of high attendance. Monetary donations will also be accepted. An account has been opened at Bank of America for him. The account number is 4570-1059-6610. If there are any other questions please email Ihatecancer@live.com or call Matt Mendonca (Mike's son) @ 480-620-5403 or Amy Owens ( Mike's daughter) 480-907-9182. We appreciate everyone's help with this fundraiser.

The good old days

It would be nice to have some of that hair now!

Some of Mike's Family

I HATE Cancer

Mike just got released from the hospital after being in for 5 days with a fever that would not go down. He started back to chemo on Monday. While he was in the hospital they gave him a blood transfusion because his blood count was low. He now has more energy and has even gained back a little bit of the weight that he has lost.