The Michael Figiel

Yes, it’s true. I’m finally home and continue to get better everyday. I just want to say thank you to everyone for all of your support. It’s just absolutely amazing what you guys have done for me. The Fieg-uary denim event was great, love the pictures from B-Ham and the Chicago office. My family is truly in awe of how supportive the entire Martin organization has been during this tough time and they all thank you as well. I’ll try to keep everyone updated as I continue therapy.

Again, I cannot say it enough how thankful I am for all that has been done. I’m very blessed with family, friends and great co-workers.

Sincerely,
Figiel

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Welcome.  The TABS above: MEET MICHAEL, HIS STORY etc. will direct you to different sections of the site, or READ below for the latest posts.  Click DONATE to the right to help MIKE AND MEG after and incredible recovery from his car accident.

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Meg shot over an update yesterday. Continued good news as Mike works on a full recovery!!!

Hey guys:

Things are getting back to normal around here. Mike got his drain taken out last Friday. He is also done with home therapy and will be going to outpatient. He should have full weight bearing by April 17th! He doing really well. Today he is seeing the kidney specialist! So hopefully he will be off the diet!

We actually were able to go grocery shopping and out to lunch on Saturday! Ill keep you posted with any new developments.

Thanks again Everyone for the CONTINUED support!!

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Went and hung with the man last night for the first time in a while. We’ve all missed him, and we all want to know the next steps to help…. the worst part is; there really aren’t any. He’s getting better, much better. Mike is now allowed to put 30 lbs of pressure on the left leg and continues with physical therapy. I shot Feegs the password and username for the site, so when you see the updates from him they are REAL!!!!!!!

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Even the Team all the way down in “Bama represented for MIKE!!

Here’s the Chicago Office:

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OK, OK - SORRY for the delay on updates.
The site went down because my buddy’s server (where he’s hosting this for free for us) went down in flames on Friday. So, now the site is up and we’re good to go.

MIKE IS HOME!!!!

He shot me an email:
J-Lee,

Finally, I am out of hospitals!!! Feels good to be home and sleep in my own bed. I was released from Marianjoy on Thursday. Going to have in-home physical therapy for a couple of weeks until I can put some weight on the left leg (then I will go to an out-patient center). I will also be doing a lot of follow-up visits will all the different doctors in the next couple of weeks. Went to see the orthopedic doctor last week, they took some x-rays of the hip and everything is healing well. I’m feeling much better but still have a lot of work to do with the left leg when I’m able to put some weight on it.

Feegs

Email Mike: mike_figiel@hotmail.com

Now that Mike’s home we can coordinate getting lunches to the house etc. etc.

HE’S FINALLY HOME ladies and Gentlemen.  Mike wants everyone to know the support, prayers, thoughts…. everything - has helped and he greatly appreciates ALL of our Support.

Thanks again everyone.  I know the road will be long, but in my mind - it’s getting shorter.  He’s come a very long way and this is an incredible, incredible, incredible story of recover.  Let’s do all we can to continue the support.  You know how to get a hold of me.

I’ll talk to Mike, but maybe I can get a calendar up here to help coordinate schedules.

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Here are some pictures of Mike last Sunday when the family joined him for Mass.

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Quick update for everyone -

Visited with Mike on Monday after returning home and had some time to catch up with him on his current conditions.  He looks even better and is actually enjoying physical therapy.  While I was there he was able to get into his wheelchair with minimal help, but he was beat from the physical therapy session he had earlier that morning.

More Positive News:

Meg bounced me a note yesterday that they REMOVED the port for dialysis!!!  Mike commented several times that the dialysis really wiped him out and Monday he repeatedly expressed his desire to NOT go through that anymore, so this is great great news.

More Great News:

Mike had mentioned that he was meeting with the doctors this week (the whole team) to discuss a discharge date and that they were hopeful it may be sooner than originally planned!!!

Keep the comments comin’  - he’ll be logged on before we know it!

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Most of you know that I’ve been traveling and trying to get updates from the road onto the site, but it has been more challenging then I imagined. Tonight I had my first chance in a week to visit Mike… [long dramatic pause...wait for it, wait for it] HOLY SH*T - I don’t swear often but I mean it.

The night goes like this:
Had an insane day catching up after being on the road, but shot Meg (Fiance) an email to ask if I could visit before I have to jump on a plane tomorrow morning. Meg bounced back in 2 seconds and said she had graduate class tonight so she didn’t know how he’d be after dialysis. I shot Mike’s Mom an email and asked if I could stop by the new hospital he’s in for Rehab called Marianjoy. She said they skipped dialysis so Andrea and I could stop by. - BIG SMILE.

Andrea and I walked in and were directed to his room. On a side note; Not having to walk up to the ICU made me feel SOOO much more comfortable with his situation. So Andrea and I hopped into the elevator not knowing what to expect, just really excited.

We take ONE STEP out of the elevator and look over to see Mike in a wheel chair talking with his Dad.. [another long pause, wait for it..... gasp].

HOLY [FILL IN ANY EXPLETIVE HERE NOW] It’s MIKE!!!

Keep in Mind I saw Mike a week ago when he was as yellow as a piece of construction paper you used in kinder garden for a project in the ICU at Good Sam still hooked up to 38 machines beeping every other minute and a room full of concerned family and nurses. Now, 7 days later he’s in a wheel chair, no major drugs, talking, hand-slapping, and laughing like the guy WE ALL KNEW WOULD MAKE IT THROUGH THIS!!! Skin color is great, pail because he’s always paranoid about the sun, but not yellow!

The only thing that looks different is he’s wearing glasses - seriously. NO tubes, IVs, huge machines, ventilators, traction, family tears, non-stop nurses, and the occasional nod of acknowledgment with a smile from him.

It took our breath away and took more than a minute to process what we were witnessing.

After we talked with Mike and his Dad for awhile his Mom walked over and we talked about the current medical status.  Our conversation was like catching up in status after a month of crazy dealer meetings.  We covered work topics, dealers, Lutz retiring, he HAD to know the current incentive load and what we were advertising in each market (atta boy!) - then talked about his next steps - possible discharge within a couple of weeks, rehab, brain tests (aced every one so far!), pain meds, sore hands from using the walker, etc.  His spirits are great, his family support unreal, his appreciation for all of you reading this site and caring - unbelievable.

Here’s the medical update:

1. They did stop/postpone the dialysis for the first time today out of the regular 3 time a week schedule because the kidney is getting BETTER and the doctors wanted to check it’s performance without the dialysis.
2. They removed the pik (spelling) line today (one less hole and tube!!)
3. He thoroughly enjoys, and looks forward to, the physical therapy everyday.  He’s been working with the walker to start getting the leg back into shape - OBVIOUSLY the bones, plates, and pins need to heal up before he can put any weight onto the hip, pelvis, knee, leg.
4. The rest of the major issues we were all worried about, including the blood clots, are progressing in the RIGHT direction FINALLY

Can’t express how excited I am and how unbelievably relieved I feel.  The path to a full recovery will be long, but attainable, and we all know that.  I know Mike will make it back to being the guy that traveled for months with me and will continue to kill me in NBA Jams - but honestly there was a stretch where I didn’t know what else we could do and felt unbelievably helpless - to SEE Mike in the state I did tonight….  unreal.

Traveling with Mike throughout Ohio: $1,268.91

Lost productivity because of NBA Jams with Mike: $61,497.98

Seeing Mike in his current state Tonight: Priceless

JLee

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Hi guys:

Michael is continuing to do well at Marianjoy. He met with his TEAM of therapist yesterday and they discussed a possible discharge date for home in 2 WEEKS! It might be a tad longer if he has to continue dialysis, but they cant do much more until he has more weight barring on the left leg. When he comes home he will have outpatient therapy there I think.

As for visitors, the best days to see him are Tuesdays Thursdays and weekends. He really perks up when people are around.

Miss Meghan Russell

On a SEPERATE update:  Total DONATIONS Have officially reached $1,029 for MICHAEL AND MEG!!!!!!

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