Michael’s Story

Site created on June 13, 2018

welcome  to our CaringBridge website. We are using it to keep family and friends updated in one place. We appreciate your support and words of hope and encouragement. Thank you for visiting. 3months ago Michael started noticing some pain in his neck, assuming it was college stress related he saw a doctor near his campus and was advised it was probably muscular and prescribed muscle relaxants. By April he noticed more swollen lymph nodes on both sides of his neck, so we figured it was now time to be seen again. Due to college finals he came home and we went to ER. When ER doctor came in to provide results of labs, and CT he stated that radiologist interpretation was that his nodes were 2 cm to 3 cm within cervical area. He added that they were concerned that it could be Lymphoma or Leukemia and needs a biopsy. I did schedule him to see a ENT for evaluation and he ordered additional lab work including a mono test "EBV", which did show he has had mono. ENT wanted to see him back in 2 weeks to recheck nodules. When we followed up he again stated he would like to wait another month. Michaels primary MD requested a visit with a head and neck surgeon whom we saw on 6/7. Surgeon saw on ultra sound they had increased to 4cm in size now and agreed with Radiologist a biopsy is needed. Her recommendation was to remove 1 of the lymph nodes and biopsy for Lymphoma and Leukemia. Surgery was completed on 6/14 , she is also sending cultures to microbiology for infectious disease consult as well. She advised it will take approximately 10 days for a full difinituve interpretation but that regardless she is referring him to a Oncologist. So now we wait , this is heart breaking and beyond words scary to know that there is something there going on but what is it and what will our steps be. Michael is unbelievable strong and mature, I'm so proud of him. He knows God has a plan and trusts whatever his plan to be. We're trying to occupy the time and remain positive and hopeful that there is a really good logical explanation for this and Michael will return to school in August with both feet running. Results are in Gods hands right now, please pray for a good outcome for him and to get thru these 10 days .

I will keep updating as information is available.

Newest Update

Journal entry by Tamara Houle

Michael is improving a lot . His temperature has been normal all day and his color has returned as well. He still has 2 IV’s going with fluids and 2 different antibiotics but whatever their giving him is most certainly helping. Infectious disease doctor saw him today and reassured him they will figure out why he has so many large lymph nodes in his neck. He said they will continue with broad spectrum antibiotics until cultures confirm what bacteria their dealing with. He also said that he does not understand as of yet how a normal healthy 20 year old could be so sick and developed a abscess , Cellulitis , and Sepsis so quickly. We feel relieved that we are seeing improvement and feeling hopeful again.
Michael is so anxious to go home. We’re hopeful that some cultures will be back tomorrow and we can continue to add pieces to this enormous puzzle.
Thank you for all your prayers, they are WORKING
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