Juggling brain cancer and a second baby on the way, the journey of Mike, Michelle, Fynn and Little Roo
Fundraising campaign by
Mikes Support Network
-
AU$26,880raised of AU$30,000.00 goal goal
Campaign Story
In summary:
On Monday 24 July, Mike had the majority of an aggressive brain tumour removed at the Mater Hospital in Brisbane. However not all cancerous cells were able to be removed. Mike has been given a prognosis of 12-14 months life expectancy. Mike's partner Michelle is six months pregnant with their second child (due November 2017). They also have a daughter Fynn, 5 years old. In addition to the costs of setting up a second residence in Brisbane and gathering the essentials for a new baby, Mike and Michelle have incurred approximately $5,000 of medical expenses in less than a week. We are aiming to raise $30,000 in funds to assist Mike and Michelle in this journey.
Further information:
Mike Higgins and Michelle Finnan are long time residents of Nhulunbuy, also known as Gove, in the Northern Territory. Mike and Michelle have a five year old daughter, Fynn Higgins. Michelle is due to give birth to their second child in November. Their unborn baby is affectionately referred to as 'Little Roo'.
Over the last two and a half months, Mike has suffered from two major seizures, as well as symptoms such as facial sensations, headaches, dysphasia, tumbling thoughts, involuntary left handed movements, tingling and weakness down the left side of his body, and moments of disassociation from his environment. The last seizure hit Mike when he was having coffee at the Three C's Café in Gove on Wednesday, 19 July and lasted approximately 25 minutes. Gove Hospital sent Mike by Care flight back to Darwin hospital, at which time the tumour was diagnosed.
Mike has a Glioblastomas (GBM) tumour. It is highly malignant (cancerous) because the cells produce quickly and they are supported by a large network of blood vessels. The tumour is located in Mike's right front lobe of the brain. GBM is difficult to treat because the tumour contains so many different types of cells. Some cells may respond well to certain therapies, while others may not be affected at all. This is why a treatment plan for GBM may combine several approaches.
Once the tumour had been identified in the scans, the consulting neurologist ordered Mike's transfer from Darwin hospital to the Mater Hospital in Brisbane on Saturday 22 July. On Monday, 24 July, Mike underwent emergency surgery to remove the tumour to relieve the pressure on the brain, however it was not possible to remove all of the tumour. Cancerous cells had spread throughout Mike's brain and were unable to be surgically removed. Surgically removing more of the tumour would have resulted in Mike losing important functions such as language and coordination, as well as personality.
Mike was discharged from the Mater Hospital on Friday, 28 July to recover from brain surgery in the company of his family. After a short period of recovery from surgery, Mike will commence an intensive program of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. However, Mike will have to remain on a chemotherapy program for the remainder of his life.
Having only bought a suitcase of essentials with them, Mike, Michelle and Fynn are unable to return home to Gove for at least the next 4-6 months. In the interim, they will stay with Michelle's mum. Mike will become very weak from treatment, and they will therefore look for accommodation close to the hospital to reduce the travel burden on Mike, as well as a heavily pregnant Michelle. In addition to the costs of living away from home, setting up a second residence and gathering the essentials for a new baby, Mike and Michelle have incurred approximately $5,000 of medical expenses in less than a week. Some of these costs can be recouped through medical insurance, however long-term treatment will result in a significant financial burden.
Mike and Michelle have commenced a complete lifestyle overhaul to incorporate healing therapies, such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy, nutritional and environmental medicines, and meditation. With the support of Mike's partner, family, friends and community, Mike and Michelle aim to contain the growth of cancer, and be in fine spirits for the birth of their second baby in November.
Thank you in advance for the support and encouragement that you are providing to Mike, Michelle, Fynn and Little Roo.
Organizer
- Mikes Support Network
- Campaign Owner
- Nhulunbuy, AU
Donors
- Anonymous
- Donated on Aug 24, 2019
- Anonymous
- Donated on Feb 20, 2018
Stay strong. I hope you feel loved and supported at this time. You are inspiring Mike.
- Rosalind Schmitz
- Donated on Feb 18, 2018
May Gods peace be with all of you
Message from Michelle
Update posted by Mikes Support Network at 10:18 amA relieving day... Ist post radiation MRI inconclusive: existing oedema in line with expectations of sequela of radiation damage . Some oedema could be leaky vessls from cancer but there is no way of determining that at this stage . resection site has shrunk. All I know is now I
Message from Michelle
Update posted by Mikes Support Network at 10:18 amA relieving day... Ist post radiation MRI inconclusive: existing oedema in line with expectations of sequela of radiation damage . Some oedema could be leaky vessls from cancer but there is no way of determining that at this stage . resection site has shrunk. All I know is now I
Last day of radiation treatment today!
Update posted by Mikes Support Network at 10:43 pmToday is the day! 🎉Last radiation session at 4pm!!oncologist at 4.30pm super anti inflammatory supplement program starts tomorrow, and a 4 week break to recover from this intense treatment.Well done Mike!
Last day of radiation treatment today!
Update posted by Mikes Support Network at 10:42 pmToday is the day! 🎉Last radiation session at 4pm!!oncologist at 4.30pm super anti inflammatory supplement program starts tomorrow, and a 4 week break to recover from this intense treatment.Well done Mike!
6 week treatment nearly completed
Update posted by Mikes Support Network at 11:14 amThe countdown is on! Only 2 more days of radiation treatment left! 🙌followed by a 4 week treatment break and scans...The last couple of weeks have been very hard on Mike, with tiredness and very sore eyes and blurry vision, but that's possibly a side affect of the trail drug
4 weeks of treatment done....
Update posted by Mikes Support Network at 08:17 amMike is in week 4 of the 6 week treatment already, and going strong! 👏Radiation will be bumped up by 25% in the last 2 weeks of radiation treatment, whilst staying on a low dose of chemo and the clinical trial; immunotherapy treatment which will continue for 2 years with. . . . .
Mike and Michelle have been blown away by your generosity
Update posted by Mikes Support Network at 01:53 amHi all, Mike and Michelle have been blown away by your generosity! Michelle tells me that Mike is not sleeping for thinking about how he can thank everyone.Your generosity, your heartfelt comments and messages have touched them at the core, and they both feel overwhelmed with a sense of love. . . . .
Donors & Comments
- Anonymous
- Donated on Aug 24, 2019
- Anonymous
- Donated on Feb 20, 2018
Stay strong. I hope you feel loved and supported at this time. You are inspiring Mike.
- Rosalind Schmitz
- Donated on Feb 18, 2018
May Gods peace be with all of you
- Anonymous
- Donated on Nov 30, 2017
- Alma & Hrishi Joglekar
- Donated on Sep 26, 2017
Hi Mike and Michelle, our best wishes and hope in these challenging times. Stay strong and positive.
- Julie Horn
- Donated on Sep 17, 2017
- Tessa, Doug and Sianae Byles
- Donated on Sep 05, 2017
Michelle here is a small donation for all those coffees that one seems to have to consume as one waits around for those doctors appointments. Chocolate cake helps too. You have put our life back into perspective. Doug has been doing the inside the skull thing recently so we feel for what you are all going through.
- Margaret Couper
- Donated on Sep 02, 2017
You are a strong person, just stay positive.
- Ellie Buttel
- Donated on Aug 31, 2017
All my love, hope & best wishes to my old primary school teacher and his family ♥
- Anonymous
- Donated on Aug 31, 2017
Stay positive. You are an inspiration to us all.