Thanks to the Newberry Library, where Michael taught Gaelic language classes for many years, the first fundraiser will be held on April 14th. We'll add more details as they are confirmed....
There will be a suggested donation asked of all attendees, between $20 and $45, according to ability to pay.
Do you know any volunteers who could help organize a silent auction? It would be great to have some books and arts and crafts available to bid on to raise more money for Michael.
I'll be bringing artisan cheeses to taste, as well as a selection of tasty beverages, but will need help with volunteer bartenders to pour. Let me know if there are any other foodstuffs you could donate!
cheers, Lucy
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Dear Michael: I look forward to speaking with you when you are up to it - ten Gratches, plus Mommy, plus 12 nieces and nephews (and many, many animals) = maybe too much catching up to do.
ReplyDeleteSo maybe I will just listen for a change!
We all were thinking of you on St. Padraig's Day - Mommy wore her Kelly Green sweater though it was 70 degrees plus outside. I kept trying to think of the Gaelic greeting I learned at Kingswood during a 3-week class, which greeting I never got right and which you continually tried to assist me with...
My love and positive thoughts are with you, Michael.
Karen Gratch
Hello!
ReplyDeleteLucy: you are an such an amazing, wonderful friend to Michael and to our family. Everyone: Michael smiles so easily despite the situation. He is calm and patient.
We are waiting for the results of the MRI taken on Friday, Andrew and I keep calling. The surgeon ordered one at no charge (THANKS Dr. Michael of Beaumont!) since he owns a machine at his office. We have put in several calls, anxious to hear the news of how the tumor has changed since the surgery, radiation and chemo.
The surgeon was only able to remove 70% of the tumor because it's the really bad kind with tentacles. We don't know how long Michael has had it; surgeon thinks it's very aggressive. The first symptoms began after Thanksgiving. By early December, he was not functioning: not eating, not dressing, not communicating, not leaving the apartment. We thank God that we were able to learn that he was in trouble. We also thank the angel on the ground Kelly Doherty, who helped us figure out what was happening to him in Chicago...and has been helping with Michael's cats and apartment issues (along with husband Jamie) ever since!
Michael's brother Andrew drove to Chicago and brought Michael back here to Michigan since he was not and cannot take care of himself. It is wonderful to hear from so many people who care about Michael. He's had some friends come to visit, people have sent cards and called.
The Speech Center of the brain is the where the tumor is located; Michael understands what is said to him but is very short on words, and tries to express a complex thought but cannot. He also has great difficulty trying to write anything. He has difficulty with balance and there are times when he must hold on to a wall and we put a chair behind him; he simply can't go on.
Unless he has a Doctor's appointment, his days are spent here at our home, where he reads the newspaper, walks around the house looking at things, watches TV or sleeps. We have a great room for him in our fully finished basement with a large full bathroom. He is able to get down the stairs while holding on to the railing. One interesting thing: before the tumor was partially removed, he was more likely to speak Irish rather than English, and not even realize he was doing it! That is better now. He is eating every bite of his meals.
Michael currently has about $100,000.00 in medical bills and no health insurance. It looks like he will receive some social security, and he also applied for medicaid but we haven't heard anything about that yet. Michael has built his life around his ideals. He has lived simply and healthily, he walked everywhere. He is a vegetarian and practiced yoga. With all that healthy living, it seems so unfair that he should have this horrible cancer. He indulged only one thing: his desire for knowledge. He has this tremendous love for the Irish language and lore, and has been generous about spreading the knowledge for many, many years. Well folks, I could go on and on and on...this is the first time I have blogged in my life! Thank you for your interest and caring about Michael. Anything you can do to help is greatly appreciated!
Marian McMechan (Michael's sister in law, Andrew's wife.)
I will plan to post updates every few days so everyone will know what is going on. First of all, tell all your friends about the Newberry Library Event on April 14. People are donating some really nice things for the Silent Auction; Lucy is doing an amazing job for Michael. Four people from Borders are going to volunteer their help at the Newberry.
ReplyDeletePlease do whatever you can to GET THE WORD OUT! Anyone who cannot attend but wants to make a donation to help Michael should write a check to DISCRETIONARY TRUST FUND FOR MICHAEL S. MCMECHAN. Mailing address is: 1765 Shipman Blvd. Birmingham, MI 48009. For Silent auction items, please contact Lucy Saunders.
We've had some good news lately. The MRI results show that since the surgery, the tumor has grown less than expected. Michael has been approved for Social Security (starting in June) and Medicaid. I found out he has NOT received Short term disability from Aetna--those darned insurance companies! We're not done with them yet! We will also work on Guardianship for Michael which he has agreed is a sensible course. Michael has made the decision to proceed with treatment. He started Chemo last night. There will be steroids to reduce swelling of the brain and stomache medication for expected side effects.
The lease on Michael's Chicago apartment will end this month. Kelly Doherty is rallying friends to help with that project; Michael's brother Andrew (my husband) plans to make the trip from Michigan to work with Kelly and make the tough decisions. Kelly was here yesterday; we got to meet her! She made the trek via Bloomington, Indiana to Michigan. Michael wanted to come along for a drive to show Kelly the house on Pilgrim where Michael grew up, Christ Church Cranbrook, where he was baptized and confirmed, and the Cranbrook Campus, where he studied as a boy. We were out for maybe 15 minutes when Michael became ill and we had to return. It was still good for him to get out, even for a bit, I think. His balance problems continue; he has agreed to use a nice cane more often (good decision!) I told him he's just like HOUSE with the cane so that's cool....He is very, very thin and needs some more clothes. We worry when he goes down the stairs to his nice room and bath that he will fall. We urge him to hold on and use the cane.
The benefit for him is to have some privacy and personal space so we want to continue the arrangement as long as possible.
Thank you to everyone who has sent him cards.
Thank you to the people at Christ Church and to Lucy for referrals so we know who to go to when we need help with Michael's care. We've heard from Shaunna McIntosh, Michael's ex-wife, and she has provided some helpful information as well. It's amazing how many people come forth when stuff happens. I can tell you that there's a lot of good people in this world. They aren't as obvious as the rotten ones; God speaks in a whisper, you know.
LOVE AND THANKS TO ALL OF YOU CARING PEOPLE!
Marian