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Welcome to Mike's web page! For anyone who may not know Mike and Dee well, here is some background information on why we have set up this web site. Mike was diagnosed with brain cancer in November of 2003. This web page is for family, friends, and ANYONE else who wants to be updated on Mike's medical progress, and also to let everyone know how they can help! Mike, Deanne, and their three children make an awesome team, and we want to give them as much support as we can.
Mike's tumor type was called a stage 4 "Glioblastoma Multiforme." At the time of diagnosis he was given 6 months to live. Unfortunately, staying in Grand Rapids for treatment was not an option. The treatment plan offered by local oncologists was pallative at best. They decided with the help of family and friends to seek care at the Duke University Brain Tumor Center in North Carolina. The result of this decision is that Mike has outlived his initial prognosis! Praise God!
Here is a summary of Mike's treatment plan for those of you who are also fighting this battle.
A picture of Mike's brain post surgery. They removed a 7mm by 3mm lesion.
Duke University treatment plan...
1 round of BCNU
33 rounds of IMRT radiation
1 round of Temodar
1 round of CCNU
1 round of VP-16
1 round of CPT-11(halted due to adverse effects)
1 round of Temodar
1 round of CCNU
1 round of VP-16
1 round of Temodar
He is currently taking a detox protocal called CRA that should remove toxins in his organs from the chemicals he's ingested. He has "graduated" to MRI's every 12 weeks as long as he is having no symptoms.
*HUGS* TOTAL!
give mikey more *HUGS*
Get hugs of your own
Mike is now part of a non-profit group called "Prayer Pager Project!" If you'd like Mike to know you are thinking of him and praying for him, just dial #616-351-1891. You will hear a "beep." After the beep, just leave him a number so that he knows someone is praying for him! (It can be any number, like your phone number) His pager will go off, or vibrate and he'll instantly know he's being prayed for! If you'd like information on this free service for someone you love, contact Deanne or Mike.
Journal
March 17th, 2008
Good news, and great news! Elaine called and said that Mike's brain looks beautiful. The even better news, is that his oncologists have given Mike the "ok" to move his scans to every six months. For anyone who knows this type of cancer in depth, this is rare. We like to call it a miracle. I can't believe we get to just "live" and not think about MRI's for six months. God hears each and every one of our prayers. Thank you for praying for him and for our family.
If you know any couples who are going through cancer, and if you live in our area, give us a call. Mike and I will be going to a couples retreat near Lake Michigan called Camp Bluebird. God is really calling us to give back. We can't wait to give our support and hope to others on a similar journey!
Sounds like we have one more snow storm coming tomorrow, and then I hope it's done! Enjoy getting out that shovel one last time.
Deanne
Well, we finally did it. We called Elaine down at Duke and asked her if we could take a break from flying down there for Mike's check-up. To our surprise, she said we could skip this one. We don't have to go back until September!!! The kids are excited.
Mike still has to have the MRI sent, but at least we can save some money on airfare. He's having the scan done at 8:45 this morning, so please send a prayer to the big guy. We'll let you know what the results are, and remember to make everyday count! Hugs to you all.
February 10, 2008
It's cold. I mean really cold. They have actually declared a "Civil Emergency" here due to "impassible roads". I've been around for almost 38 years and have never seen that before. Anyway, it may be cold outside, but inside it is warm enough.
A quick update on our lives at the moment. Deanne has been substitute teaching in both Wyoming and Jenison schools. She actually had 15 minutes of fame a couple of weeks ago as she was teaching economics to 5th graders at a local JC Penney, and two local news stations captured her on film and showed her beautiful face on the evening news to all of Grand Rapids. Emily has been extremely busy with Basketball, Honors Choir, and Orchestra. We like to encourage her to participate in extra-curricular activities, but "Whew!" Alex is cruising through second grade, and Christian loves pre-school. As for me, I seem to be working harder than ever. Not to complain though in light of our poor economy - a lot of people are out of work.
I'll be getting another MRI in approximately 4 weeks, and then another trip down to Duke. Every time I'm down there, they make me do these crazy tests, like saying three words and having me repeat them later, or making me count backwards by 7 from 100. I usually ace these things, but I think I may just screw them up next time on purpose to freak people out (I will of course let Deanne know I am going to do this). In all seriousness though, if the scans are good again (and we pray that they will be), we may ask them if we have to keep coming down. Its time away from the kids and tends to be pretty expensive.
Anyway, I hope and pray that life finds you well. Don't worry about tommorow, it has its own problems. Just live in today.
God Bless!!
Mike Messinger (from the Great White North, eh!!)
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