The Michael Figiel

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

Tweet This Post 

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

Tweet This Post 

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!!!!!!

Tweet This Post 

The update below is from Meg (Mike’s Fiance) she sent me Monday Morning.

Apologize for the delay, I was on the road.  OUT OF THE ICU GREAT NEWS FOR MIKE!!

Hi Guys:

Update on Michael!

Michael was moved to Marion Joy on Friday night! By Saturday morning, they had him up and in his own clothes! He is anxious to start therapy! He is in really good spirits. The doctors are still watching his blood pressure and kidney very closely. He is glad to be out of Good Sam and moving around more. Today is his first full day of therapy and he will begin to have dialysis three times a week! they will give us a possible discharge date this week! He is super busy during the week! The best days to see him are Saturday later in the afternoon and Sundays.

Meghan

ANOTHER quick Update:

We’re all proud to say the donations ahve continued to pour in, but please pass the link on to family, friends, and collegues that can help us help Mike!!

Tweet This Post 

I can’t take credit for the creativeness of Fieg-uary. Our boss came up with it to support Mike this month - MUCH more to come on this very very soon courtesy of Scott.

Status Update: 2/1/09

I finally had a chance to visit with Mike this morning for the first time in almost a week.  I’ve been traveling for work and I’ll be back on the road all this week, but I’ll do my best to keep this updated.  Make sure to check the “Wall” on the right for updates from everyone AND post your thoughts for Mike to read!!!

As usual I was greeted by Mike’s entire family when I arrived to his room in the ICU.  His Parents, Fiance, Mother-in-Law - what an incredible core group of family that has never left his side remain in his room and never fail to offer up hugs and smiles.  They are truly incredible.

The easiest way to explain his current status: They took all the tubes out this morning! I still don’t know all of the tubes that they actually had in, stomach, gall bladder, chest!?!?  They had given him some pain meds before I arrived so they could remove the tubes and he was feeling nauseous from the medicine, but he’s totally conscious and talkative. He made it VERY clear that he’s just trying to get well enough to get the hell out of there.  His Mom showed me the x-ray/MRI (one of those two) of his pelvis that they took this morning and Meg joked that they’re calling him the $1,000,000 man based on the amount of titanium that’s now holding his pelvis together.  The plate looks very impressive and there are a good number of pins that you can very clearly see in the picture.  Hopefully before long we could get a copy of it to post on the site.

I’ll try and get a comprehensive MEDICAL update from Meg or his Mom that we can post, since this is just my observations.

Please keep him in your prayers as he continues heal. Everyone’s support has been awesome; remember the family needs your prayers too!

We’ll get some pictures up before long!

Tweet This Post 

Sunday Night 1/25/09

I finally had a chance to go see and see Mike tonight.  Keep in mid that the last time I visited was before leaving for a road trip through Ohio and Detroit, it was last Tuesday.

I struggle to place words on this virtual page that can explain the difference in Mike since I last had a chance to spend some time with him.

The ventilator is out, the hip and pelvis are “repaired”, his glasses are on and he is cracking the one-liners like nothing happened.

He recognized me the instant I walked in and gave the “JLee” that I’m so used to hearing as I approach my cube each morning.  I returned with the usual “Hey Feegs” in amazement.  It’s very hard to describe the roller coaster of emotions over the last 10 days for me, and I won’t pretend to have any clue what Meg or his family have been through, but to be able to talk to Mike again, have a conversation, see him without the damn tube down his throat - made my year.  I know it’s early in 2009, but it’s going to be hard for anything to top tonight.

He had 7 or 8 people in the room tonight, so I decided I wouldn’t stay as long as usual, and I found it more difficult to stop and “connect”, sit, talk, hope, concentrate,  like I had the chance to do before I left because the room was buzzing with family and nurses. I can’t imagine how overwhelmed he felt tonight.  You could tell he just wanted some rest and some time without 18 million eyes hovering over him.  I’ll get up there tomorrow when some of the other people are working so hopefully I can spend some time just hanging out with him.

His color is great, yellowness has dissipated, wincing face of the confusing painful dreamland finally at peace, bloodshot eyes are white, and sense of humor and showmanship have all returned.  I can’t put words to tonight, I’ll try tomorrow, but I’m happy, excited, and thankful.

Medical Stuff:

No major update that I can share past the fact that the tests on the GI tract went well and that doctor has been satisfied with progress.  They have a tube working to drain his stomach - probably because Mike’s been eating too many ice chips and drinking anything within reach.

Say your Prayers, keep him AND the family in your thoughts.

The kid is looking so much, almost unbelievably, better that I can’t put it all in text.  I’ll add to the post tomorrow, this is just my first reaction.

Tweet This Post 

Hate that I missed this today, but I’ve been traveling for work. Check out what Candice, who works with us, wrote. UNBELIEVABLE!
THANKS CK!!

OK lets see, you know the ventilator is out so he is obviously talking. When we got there he was with physical therapist or some kind of doctor so we just waited outside for a while with Meg and Megan (we brought them Chipotle). Meg just filled us in on all the stuff Mike has been saying when he woke up like telling her to wipe his nose, needs more ice chips, etc. Seems to still have his sense of humor that’s for sure! She said he was a little shook up when she told him that he had his kidney removed but then joked about it and how he’ll never drink again or something.

When we did get to go in he seemed a little out of it and probably really tired but he said a few times that he really appreciates our support. Meg had told him about the website you created so he knew about that. He asked how you were and I told him you were lost without him haha. Meg had told him you were at the hospital a lot but that you were in Detroit today.

He can not remember anything, asked Allyson how she found out about it. She told him how she passed by it and he asked where he was going, where it happened, etc. He asked how long he’s been out of work. I think he was surprised to hear it had been a week. He looked good, just a little puffy and his eyes a bit bloodshot. Honestly I have no clue if he knew it was me cause he didn’t have his glasses on, but he definitely knew AP was there.

He seems to have lots of family around like you said so I know he definitely won’t be alone for very long!

Tweet This Post 

Great news! Candice and I went and saw Fig during lunch today and considering everything he has been through in the past week he looks great. He’s still a little loopy, but definitely has a great sense of humor right now. He has a long road of recovery ahead of him, but I think he is a very strong-willed person and will bounce back 110%. My thoughts and prayers are with him and his family through all of this. Mike, Meg & Family: If there’s anything we can do for you, please please let us know! GET WELL SOON MIKE!

Allyson

Tweet This Post 

I’m on the road in Cleveland and Detroit until tomorrow, but below is an update from more people that care about Mike from our office!

Allyson and I went to see Mike during lunch today and Mike looks great! We got to talk to him a bit and while he was probably very tired, he was in good spirits. He definitely has not lost his sense of humor telling us that only the “cool” kids get to come visit him. For now he doesn’t remember anything that has happened to him this last week and apparently was surprised to find out that he is one kidney short. We did tell him the whole Martin Retail family is thinking of him and he was very grateful. I don’t think he has seen the Top 10 list yet but I’m sure he’ll get a kick out of it.

Meg and fam - PLEASE let us know if there is anything we can do to help. We know this must be a very hard time for you all.

Mike - get better, we’re all rooting for you to get well soon! The office just isn’t the same with out you…

Candice

Tweet This Post 

On a very cold, WAY below 0 degrees, Thursday January morning I was driving to work with my wife when my cell phone rang. It was a co-worker who asked if I had talked to Figs (Feegs) yet this morning. I told her I hadn’t, but it was 7:25a and that wasn’t a rarity. Through tears she said she had driven by and accident on the way to the office and thought she saw Mike’s car. I called Mike’s phone, no answer - sent text messages, emails, called, called and called again - no answers. I arrived at the office at 7:45a and figured we’d wait until after 8:00a before we started to worry. At 8:30a Allyson called the hospital closest to the Accident and found Mike. I informed our Boss who was at an off site meeting and we left for the hospital. Once we arrived the nurse said we could go back and see him in a minute, then she walked back to his room. She returned and said he had gone for a CT scan, typical procedure after an accident, and when he returned we could see him. She asked about insurance and I provided my card figuring he was on the same the plan. I asked if anyone had been contacted and she informed me that they did not have any emergency contact information. The owner of our company forwarded Mike’s Father’s Home and Cell phone numbers to me and I provided them to the nurse. After the owner of the company called Mike’s Dad directly and let him know I was on-site at the hospital he immediately called my cell phone. I didn’t have any information, but told him the name of the hospital and handed the phone to the nurse. When she returned she told me that the nurse had time to talk with his Father. I called him back and he told me Mike had broken ribs, a broken hip, and an issue with his spleen - my heart dropped, throat closed up. I was in complete shock - neither myself or my co-worker who was with me believed the situation was this dire. The nurse told me they were moving him to the ICU at a different hospital where they more capable of performing the surgeries he was going to need. My co-worker and I loitered not know what to do and proceeded back to my car in the parking lot. We waited and waited and finally watched them put him in the Ambulance marked with ICU and a police escort.

The following Email was sent out:
All,
I like to think of the team as a family….families pull together and we all need to be thinking about one of our family members who was in a very serious automobile accident this morning.
Michael Figiel, a very special young man on our BPG team in the North Central region needs to be in your thoughts and prayers. He has just recently come out of surgery where among other things his spleen and a kidney were removed. Also his hip and pelvis has been shattered. The next 24-48 hours will be critical .

Michael’s family is in Chicago with him at the hospital….let’s make sure we are with him in spirit.

We will keep you posted on Michael’s progress, although it may be a while before we have something new to report.

Thank you for your support of Michael.

Surgery #1
Mike immediately went into Surgery at the next hospital where they removed his spleen and kidney and examined the remainder of his internal organs.  After the first surgery they left him open so the doctors could continually monitor for signs of internal bleeding.

Here the email I launched after I spoke with Meg Friday Morning:

Quick update for you guys,

Spoke with Meg this morning and she sounds 1000% better than yesterday. At this point he made it through the night with no major issues and the family is very optimistic based on what the doctors have shared with them.  All the fluids going in are coming out clean which is a VERY good sign that the rest of his organs that are intact are all doing their job.  He’ll have one more surgery to examine some possible bruising on his liver and close him back up - he’s still open from yesterday for observation. Last night he was moving his arms and legs and tried to pull the ventilator tube from his mouth, so he’s moving around and doesn’t appear to have any major spine injuries.  He’s getting his neck scanned today to make sure nothing is fractured so that they can remove the neck collar.  I’m going to swing by today and drop off flowers or gift basket with the RJM Worldwide sign he made back in the day after we found out MRM was outsourcing everything so he’ll know we’re all thinking about him.  24 more hours and he should be out of the most critical stage so keep him in your thoughts.  He’s already in traction for the hip and pelvis and they’re meeting with orthopedic surgeon next week to determine the next steps.

I’ll keep everyone posted to what I find out.

JLee

My Boss and I went to the hospital for the first time Friday evening after picking up a foam core boar with the “Top Ten things waiting for You when you Return” card and a gift basket for the family. You all would not believe the amount of family and friends that had made the trip to the hospital.  We all know about Mike’s pasta Sunday’s and multiple stops to family members homes on Christmas, but I can official verify he wasn’t BS-ing.  There were 20+ people in the waiting room; 19 were there for Mike.

My first Visit

Completely unexpectedly Meg invited Scott, Andrea, and Me up to Mike’s room that evening. *Heart Stops, throat swells*

We entered Mike’s Room and visited - Here’s the email I sent immediately following:

All of us have heard Figs talk about the Pasta Sunday’s, massive family gatherings, and multiple Christmas locations he and Meg had to travel to, and now I can officially confirm that he wasn’t bullshitting.  The family waiting room was dominated by his relatives, there had to be between 15 and 20 family, friends, and cousins.  He has a great support network saying their prayers and constantly visiting him in his room in the ICU.

Meg and Mike’s Mom invited us up to the room where Mike is currently healing.  Since they limit the number of people at one time Mike’s Mom stayed downstairs and Snyder, Andrea, and I went upstairs into his room.

This is hard, hard for all of us – but please believe me when I tell you, and Snyder will back me 100% - ONCE you got past the fact that he had the ventilator tube in and there were countless machines, tubes, IV Bags, and traction cords hooked up to him – he looked unbelievably GREAT.  His face, arms, and legs have no visible damage beyond some bruising on his arms.  He’s “poofy” from all of the fluids but his color is good, temperature to the touch was normal, and beard was growing at his typical grizzly pace.   We were in his room for quite awhile and we let him know that we were ALL saying our prayers and he needed to hang on.

He is scheduled for his second surgery tomorrow morning at 7:30A to remove the internal packing and check for bleeding and bruising on his liver.  If all is well they’ll finally close him up tomorrow morning.  If he’s stable Meg said they would try to take him off the ventilator tomorrow because his lungs are in great shape and slowly reduce the amount of sedation.

Meg is going to call me tomorrow morning after the surgery and give me an update.

We  have purchased FigsCube.com.  I have a buddy in Boston who is going to host it for us on his servers for free.  I’ll begin to design and update posts on the site tomorrow if all goes well getting the servers set-up.

I need your help.  Let me know any ideas for the site that you have.  I’m planning an area for “Meet Mike” that will include the dance video from the Leo party last year, but I need some quotes and pictures. We’ll have an area for medical updates, cube updates (figure we can foil it, bubble wrap it, Styrofoam peanuts, etc) – Whatever we can come up with.  Andrea threw out the idea of setting up a webcam at his house when he gets home so everyone can see him real-time – he’d F-ing KILL ME, but man would it be awesome to see him real-time (could be a huge following)!!!!  So I need ideas, pictures, quotes, etc. and I’ll set it up so that you all can add blog posts etc., and I think his fam will probably get involved.  Welcome to healing 2.0 – any support will be appreciated.

He’s got another 24 we need to help him get through, say the prayers or whatever you all do – keep him in your thoughts and don’t forget Meg needs our support too.

Hit the Cell anytime,

JLee

Saturday 1/17

Meg texted me early and I sent out:

GREAT NEWS This morning everyone!

Figs surgery this morning went great!!!

I don’t have any additional details past the fact that they were able to finally close him up and remove all of the internal packing this morning. They will begin to wean him off the ventilator tomorrow.

Next couple of hours are still very critical – say an extra prayer this morning.

Thanks all.

JLee

In the evening:

I headed up to the hospital and spent some time with the family re-hashing old stories and hilarious memories.  Just a couple of lesser know facts:

Meg met Mike at a Halloween Party where Figs was dressed as Michale BOLTON with the full blonde wig; passing out autographed pictures and cds. Mike was wearing Meg’s costume belt as a bandanna at the bar before the night was over - imagine that.

Meg, Meg’s Mom, Mike’s Dad, Mom, Sister, and I visited the room again on Saturday evening.  They had been with him ALL day rotating family through the room, but it was the first time I had seem in today.

After I left I launched the following email late Saturday:

Just leaving the ICU. Spent another couple hours with Meg and the family and was in the room for about 2 hours. They closed him up, but there’s a bit of a problem with his remaining kidney. It may just be in shock after surgery this morning. He needs to get his heart rate lower before they can take out the tube for the ventilator, but we are hopeful it will come out tomorrow.

Hip and pelvis surgery are scheduled for Thursday if everything stays on track. Need 8 more hours of good progress and the worst could be over.

Very very limited visiting tomorrow and Monday with the ventilator getting turned off. It takes hours and they have advised only one or two people will be allowed all day.

I’ll let you guys know if I hear anything further.

JLee

Tweet This Post