Thanksgiving Has Different Meaning for This Montana Sporstman

Thanksgiving Has Different Meaning for This Montana Sporstman
By angelamontana

Posted: November 30, 2015

As sportsmen and sportswomen, it is important for us to spend as much time as we can enjoying the outdoors. We live for that passion we feel when we are out there. Sometimes, life throws us curveballs, and we are not able to enjoy the outdoors like we crave. Michael is in one of those situations. He is a Polson resident and comes from a long line of avid fisherman. Michael’s life recently changed unexpectedly in the blink of an eye.

One day last month, while traveling for work, Michael wasn’t feeling well. Thinking he might have pneumonia, he went to the hospital. That was on October 20th. Later that day, Michael got some life altering news – he was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia. The next day, he started chemo.

Here is some more background on Michael via his good friends Jim Swanson and Katie Ward:

Michael is just 50 years old. He was born at Ft. Sill Army Base in Lawton, OK, reisaed in Southwest Oklahoma. He served six years in the Army Reserve (1983-1989). He enjoys fishing in Northwest Montana especially fishing for Catfish, rainbow trout and lake trout. He also loves to fish the Missouri River in Iowa, Nebraska and South Dakota.

Michael’s age and health are such a blessing when fighting something like this, but it’s going to be rough. He is going to have dangerously low blood counts and will be susceptible to any kind of infection. Since we received the genetic results back and Michael has the FLT3 mutation, which means his chances of relapsing are very high. So, he will require a stem cell transplant, which means that he will need to stay in Minneapolis for another 4-6 months. He will continue to receive chemo throughout his stem cell transplant.

Michaelene will be staying in Minneapolis with him throughout this battle and by his side. Times will be tough financially for these two, and Michaelene will not be able to work, as Michael will need 24/7 caregiver support. However, they trust the the Lord will continue to provide and everything will fall into place as it should. We feel so blessed and fortunate to have so many wonderful, kind, positive, and loving people in our life. Every little bit helps and your positive thoughts and your prayers are going to get us through this.

Michael and Michaelena will have to remain in Minnesota at or very near the Abbott Northwestern Hospital.

Staying in the spirit of giving during this Thanksgiving, please consider helping this fellow sportsman beat this evil disease and get back out on the water reeling in fish where he belongs. Thank you for your compassion for Michael and his family during this trying time.

Here is a link to their giveforward site for direct contributions. Donate to help Help Mikey Beat Cancer today

Thanksgiving Has Different Meaning for This Montana SporstmanBy angelamontana

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Thanksgiving Has Different Meaning for This Montana Sporstman
By angelamontana