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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