Mike Kislyak

Mike Kislyak is a strong willed, kind hearted father, son, brother and husband.  On the weekend of January 13th, 2018, Mike and his wife Tanya were faced with unimaginable challenges that will forever change their lives.  
Mike was at home with his family and began having severe headaches and nausea/vomiting.  After two trips to the ER, and his wife Tanya's vigilant persistance, Mike was admitted to the ICU at Sacred Heart Medical Center late Saturday/Early Sunday January 14th.  
After CT and MRI studies, Mike was diagnosed with an abnormally large Pituitary Tumor.  A pituitary tumor of this size can gravely affect your hormone function, brain function, vision and overall health.  Mike had experienced vision loss, speech difficulty and decreased alertness.  He was emergently intubated to protect his airway. To complicate matters further, Mike was also diagnosed with influenza and pneumonia.  
Mike remained on a ventilator in the ICU with his wife Tanya at his bedside and an extensive circle of family and friends praying for Mike and everyone involved. Tanya and Mike's parents and siblings stepped up immediately to help care for their 3 young children.  
Tanya is a smart and caring Nurse who works in Cardiac Surgery at Sacred Heart Medical Center, so you can imagine the difficulties she faced having a strong grasp of the daunting reality of Mike's condition.  
 A team of Doctors, Nurses and Specialists discussed and strategized  the best approach for stabilizing Mike in order to prepare him for a complex surgery that was inevitably necessary and increasingly urgent. 
Over the past week, Mike has battled the odds and pulled through the flu and pneumonia, fighting to be stable enough to have surgery this Thursday January 25th. 
He has gained back a little bit of strength each day.  Mike was able to be extubated and off the ventilator as of Friday Jan 19th and has since been breathing on his own.  
He has become more responsive and alert and has been working with Occupational Therapists, RNs and family to get back some basic skills and functions.  Mike was able to be out of bed sitting in a chair, walking a bit and even ate some of his favorite meal that his family excitedly prepared for him and brought to the hospital.  
Tanya's only requests are prayers and hope for Mike.  However, we know as her and her family continue this battle and move toward recovery they will have various needs such as meals, help with the kids, support and friendship as Mike faces a series of complex surgeries and a lengthy recovery.  
Monetary assistance or donations would also be welcome, considering that Tanya had to take a leave from work and school, and that Mike is incapable of working at this time.  
Please feel free to send Tanya any comments or words of encouragement on this site.  
Please see the "ways to help" link of this site to offer assistance, or speak with Molly Parker, RN-CVOR or Andrea Torbensen, OR Secretary if you would like to donate or help out.