The Michael Figiel

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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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!!

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Quick update for the Crew.  Meg and I texted back and forth yesterday, and she’s going to be sending over an update for everyone that I can post, but here’s what I know:

MIKE FINALLY MOVED OUT OF ICU at The Good Samaritan and they have moved him to a new hospital to begin rehab!  Meg said he was up all morning yesterday using the walker and did a great job.  She said he was beat yesterday afternoon from all the moving around, but that he was in really good spirits.  Hopefully I can see him today and let everyone know what else I find out!

If you don’t know his story click HERE and start the blog at the bottom where the details begin about the accident…

JLee

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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!

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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.

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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!

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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

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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

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GREAT NEWS TONIGHT ALL!!!

I just returned from the hospital tonight and it is the most encouraged I’ve been since the accident last week.  It is hard to believe that it was only last Thursday, it feel like an eternity.

Andrea, my Wife, and I went back up to the hospital tonight after work to visit with the Family and Mike.  For the first time since I’ve been up in the room with him he responded to seeing me.  Greg (Dad) leaned over and told Mike that we were there and asked if he could see us.  Keep in mind the poor kid doesn’t have his contacts in so I’m sure we’re all blurry fuzz, but nonetheless Greg asked if he could see me.  After a moment Mike opened his eyes and focused on me and shook his head yes.

I said some words, let him know how good he looked and told him everyone was thinking about him.

His arms are still loosely restrained because he really wants the ventilator tube out of his mouth, so he’s moving his arms and feet around quite a bit.  I’m sure he’s half stretching and half really really pissed off he can’t move his arms.

On multiple occasions he signaled that he wanted a pen to write with, but with his arms in the position they are he won’t be able to write.  His Sister Meg was very soothing and was reassuring Mike that he was ok and that the accident wasn’t his fault. “Just relax and let your body heal” she and his Mom were telling him.

Can’t express how Happy I am this evening.

On another note his Mother and Dan shared the current condition:

1. Surgery at 1:00 tomorrow to re-build the pelvis and hip bones as long as the kidney is functioning how the doctors want

2. The remaining kidney is having trouble filter as well as the doctors require.

Amy (Mom) explained the kidney is having problems filter Creat so he may need a couple rounds of dialysis  to jump start that sucker.

The trauma doctor who would have performed the procedure if he were in town is back on duty and gave the family a full download today.  I won’t go into any details fearing I’d confuse people and definitely don’t know everything BUT:

The doctor did say he would’ve taken the ventilator out today if it weren’t for the surgery scheduled tomorrow. GREAT NEWS

Keep saying thoughts Prayers and keep him in your thoughts.

Great Progress today - “Beat the CREAT!”

Justin

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