Angels learning Gaelic now - Michael passed yesterday

"The angels are all speaking Gaelic tonight."

The photo was taken by Lucy in September, during her last visit. Michael slept much of the time then.

Sad news: Michael passed away yesterday at 11 am.

He was much the same at the last - both Marian and Andrew spent time with him Thursday, just holding his hand and talking to him. Angela Hospice did a great job making him as comfortable as possible.

And, true to Michael, he managed to slip away just as Andrew was pulling into the parking lot yesterday. He always hated long good-byes.

The family will have some kind of a memorial service in the coming month, at Christ Church Cranbrook.

As friend WAPjohn wrote, "As I sat in his room last Tuesday, it struck me that with his beard and its spot of grey...Michael never looked more Irish...I was in the company of an elfin prince."

Thank you to everyone who cared, called and visited, shared, donated to hospice care, loved and supported Michael through his life and last days. We will post information about the memorial service.

september note

When Andrew visited his brother today, Michael was awake. The room was darkened. Michael was pushing food around. He doesn't have much appetite and has not been successful keeping food down; this has been going on for about a week.

He did enjoy listening to a family story.

Michael is stoic and always tells the nurses only one thing "I'm fine." That's his way....

Michael is surrounded by caring people in a peaceful, soothing environment. He knows that he has many friends. All of you and all the rest, who've shown that he is important to them. Thank you and please keep Michael in your thoughts.

- from a note from Marian

a new place for Michael - Angela Hospice

Today, Michael moved to a smaller hospice in Michigan, highly recommended by the Gratch family and friends in the area. The name is Angela Hospice Home Care, and the website is http://www.angelahospice.org/

Michael's new address is:
c/o
Angela Hospice Home Care
14100 Newburgh Road
Livonia, Michigan 48154-5010
TEL: 734.464.7810 | Toll Free: 866.464.7810
Fax: 734.464.6930

It will be much easier to reach Michael by phone, as he has a direct line. Please email Lucy if you'd like to have it - am not sure if he wants it posted on the blog....

It promises to be a more peaceful environment, and lots of supportive people. Shaunna was visiting this weekend and able to help. Andrew and Marian had put Michael's name on the hospice waiting list at the recommendation of his doctors, and so with assistance from family and friends, Michael is resting in his new bed. Cards and letters are welcome; you may phone the hospice for visiting hours.

michael's room decorating - update from marian

Michael's room decorating - for more color and a view - WAP John put up the green rocky coast picture directly over Michael's head on the ceiling; now McM can go to sleep dreaming of Ireland...

He also hung the special quilt Michael's friends and fans from NaGaeil and IAHC created for him - due to wall space issues only half can be visible at any one time, so Andy and I will rotate regularly. We have also found Michael's iPod, which he had requested. So his environment is steadily becoming more comfortable for him. Andy visited today, and Michael's mood is good and he reports he is feeling "OK, considering."

Thank you for your donations, which make the hospice care possible and comfortable.

more art to give a quiet room a vista, a view

dark and mystical clouds over green hills: a fresh visual for M

WAP John visited McM yesterday and found some hi-res images to decorate the space - here's a JPG of mystical clouds that he chose

visiting hours for Michael

Marian & Andrew visited Michael yesterday - as did high school friend WAP John - and pass along the news that he would like to have short visits with friends. Visiting hours are 8am-9pm, at the
West Bloomfield Care Center,
6445 West Maple
West Bloomfield, MI 78322

Michael enjoys going to the sitting room or would like walks around the campus using the wheelchair.

a traditional Gaelic blessing

Deep Peace

Deep peace of the running wave to you
Deep peace of the flowing air to you
Deep peace of the quiet earth to you
Deep peace of the shining stars to you
Deep peace of the gentle night to you
Moon and stars pour their healing light on you

Deep peace deep peace
Deep peace of the sleeping stones to you
Deep peace of the wandering wind to you

Deep peace of the flock of stars to you

Deep peace deep peace
Deep peace of the eastern wind to you

Deep peace of the western wind to you

Deep peace of the northern wind to you
Blue wind of the south to you
Pure red of the whirling flame to you
Pure white of the silver moon to you
Pure green of the emerald grass to you
Deep peace deep peace

Deep peace of the running wave to you
Deep peace of the flowing air to you
Deep peace of the quiet earth to you
Deep peace of the shining stars to you
Deep peace of the gentle night to you
Moon and stars pour their healing light on you

Deep Peace to you

With love to Michael, from Joseph Jacobs, a Buddhist counselor in San Francisco, and friends

a new address for Michael

Shaunna sends the news that Michael is now stable enough to be moved to an extended care facility. As of this afternoon, he will be at West Bloomfield Care Center. He will be able to continue with Beaumont Hospice which is good also.
Address for cards and well-wishes:
c/oWest Bloomfield Care Center
6445 West Maple
West Bloomfield, MI 78322

Please keep Michael in your thoughts and prayers. He especially likes photos and cards. Thank you to Shaunna for all her care and continued communications.

saturday's update from shaunna

Michael was able to get a full night's sleep. That, in addition to the unbelieveable beautiful quilt he received yesterday from the Na Gaeil folks, is some of the best medicine money can buy. While he is sleeping more (which is to be expected), when he is awake, his speech is clearer. I believe we have found the right combination of meds to control pain and such and still allow for some quality time. We will try to respond to emails and such as Michael is able.

Thanks again for everyone's support.

an update from shaunna - new hospice for michael

Shaunna is caring for Michael in hospice, and send this update:

Thursday was a good day with Michael being able to spend some time with his family outside. The night was not as good as he had another small seizure.

Good news is that, as the symptoms appear to have stabilized, the plan will be for him to move to a hospice outside of the hospital. Yea!!!

So his family is to start looking for a suitable place and another BIG thank you for everyone's efforts, as this will allow him to continue to get the best care possible.

The big highlight of the day will be the arrival of the quilt from the Na Gail folks.
Go raibh maith agat.

prayers and peace - hospice care for McM

Thank you to all for your help and donations on behalf of Michael - the funds from the trust are allowing Michael to receive the best care available.

Shaunna came to Michigan late Wednesday night to spend a few days with Michael to assist with care issues. On Thursday, August 6, he had a seizure after breakfast so instead of the scheduled chemotherapy, his doctor sent him to the emergency department for an MRI.

After a CT scan, MRI of the brain, MRI of his entire spine, and an EEG; the news is not good. The tumor is larger, and spreading into the spine with multiple metastases. In light of these developments and on the recommendation of his oncologist, Michael has stopped treatment and is now on inpatient hospice, and receiving pain medications.

Because of the donations, Michael is able to go to inpatient hospice and receive the best care available. Without this money, that would not have been possible as Medicaid pays for hospice care - but not a bed in the hospice unit. That is considered to be an 'out of pocket' expense. (Something is really wrong with a health care system that allows for hospice care, but not a hospice bed!)

Please keep Michael in your prayers and wish him peace. Please write a note to him at this email address: ceolformichael@gmail.com and Noah will forward. Thank you from all Michael's friends and family.

amazing results from June fundraiser and update

Thanks to Noah, Kelly, and the rest of the Na Gaeil friends and supporters, the June fundraiser on behalf of Michael was the largest and most successful yet. Through the concerts, donations and silent auction, almost $10K was raised, truly wondrous. Each donation means so much to Michael and family/friends. Thank you from our hearts.

The update is less wondrous.

Rules being the rules, our current U.S. health care system mandates a specifically onerous level of poverty one must achieve (fall) before being able to qualify for Medicaid before the predetermined age of eligibility. Michael has to dispose of his savings and other assets now and so has moved into a small apartment near his family in Michigan. It is a private place - and at this time, no mailing address is available. However, well wishes and prayers are welcome....

find wonderful gifts at the silent auction and concert tomorrow!

Thanks to Maureen Neylon and Kelly Doherty, who have worked hard alongside Noah Smulkis and the rest of the Na Gaeil group, to assemble a tremendous selection of gift items for tomorrow's silent auction. The auction is part of the benefit concert on June 21 at the Irish American Heritage Center. Here's a preview:

hand-painted 60-year old vase

hand-knit Aran sweater

hand-painted ogham wishes, framed

pair of Waterford flutes, Spirit of America pattern

4 tickets to IAHC Irish Fest in July 17-19 plus one-year family or individual membership

gift certificate for 1 term Gaelic classes, plus reference books

framed artistic photography

And many DVDs, CDs and books in Irish Gaelic!

preview for the benefit concert and email contact

Noah Smulkis has created a special email address for Na Gaeil and the benefit concert on June 21 at the Irish American Heritage Center - to write for details or answers to any questions regarding the silent auction:
ceolformichael@gmail.com

New ads for performers also appear on Noah and Baal Tinne's myspace pages:
http://www.myspace.com/noahsmulkis
http://www.myspace.com/baaltinne

Be sure to tune in tonight, June 1st, to Irish FM radio in Chicago - "Feast of Irish Folk" starts off in the evening from 5-6:30 PM CST on WHPK, where they will cover the Benefit Concert as well as playing some Irish traditional music - streaming online at www.whpk.org.

Also, from 7-9 PM CST, tune into WDCB 90.9 FM for "Blarney on the Air" with our good friends Shay Clarke and Bill Margeson, streaming online at www.wdcb.org.

Benefit Concert on June 21 at the Irish American Heritage Center

Michael McMechan, is a Gaelic scholar and a true inspiration to all who attend classes with the Na Gaeil Irish Language group at the Irish American Heritage Center in Chicago. He has volunteered his time to teach the ‘ard-rang’ (advanced class) for more than 20 years with Na Gaeil and he has also prepared and taught courses on Irish Mythology at the Newberry Library. He has such a tremendous passion and dedication for the Irish language (Gaeilge) that shines brightly through his classes and through the materials that he hand prepares twice a week, each week year-round for his devoted students.

Our group Na Gaeil has organized a Benefit concert at the Irish American Heritage Center in order to raise funds to assist Michael with his medical bills for both his debt and his ongoing care.

The date is Sunday, June 21^st from 4-8pm, held at the Irish American Heritage Center’s Fifth Province Pub and Lounge. There will be basket raffle prizes, a silent auction, and live Irish music entertainment from some of Chicago’s finest performers including: John Williams and Friends, Baal Tinne, Deorad, Academy of Irish Music, and Tantrum featuring Kathleen Keane.

Come on out and help us to raise funds in support of one of Chicago’s best Irish language teachers and academics, win some raffle prizes, and enjoy the fine music entertainment!

Admission for the event is only $10 at the door. Children 12 and under are free. Be sure to bring out the entire family!

The Fifth Province Pub will be open for business and the music starts promptly at 4pm. We hope to see you there.

Be sure to visit our Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Benefit-Concert-for-Michael-McMechan/95199660989

Go mbeannaí Dia daoibh.

Noah Smulkis

new mail box address

Thanks for the many contributions for Michael's care - as Lucy is embarking on a period of travel in the next few months, there is now a new mail box address in Michigan. Please note the new address!

The Discretionary Trust for Michael S. McMechan
c/o Andrew McMechan
P. O. Box 2317
Birmingham, MI 48012-9998

If you've already sent a donation c/o Lucy, it will be forwarded - in fact, hand delivery tomorrow in time for the tasting benefit in Beverly Hills! Many thanks, Lucy

Michael update + Friday is the Michigan Tasting!

Hi all
Michael said goodbye to his home in Chicago on Sunday and is now sorting through boxes here.
Great friends including Shaunna, Kelly, and the extremely hard working Noah were there; I also heard Lisa mentioned and I know there were others....you guys made all the difference for Michael to get through a huge undertaking.
Thanks to everyone who has helped out with the tastings and of course the trust itself! It blows me away how many wonderful people there are who care about Michael.
He continues to be feeling very good and enjoyed a spring walk yesterday. We are so glad for him! He just finished another course of chemo and is now in the rest period before another.
Michael plans to visit this Friday's tasting with his brother Andrew; maybe he'll see you there?
Marian

Save the date: Na Gaeil’s fundraiser on June 21 at 4 p.m.

Kelly Doherty announces the confirmation of the date, June 21, 2009, for the Na Gaeil's fundraiser on behalf of Michael McMechan. The sponsor of the Irish language classes is producing the event, including live music, and the venue is the Irish American Heritage Center on the north side, 4626 N Knox Ave Chicago, IL. Kelly promises more details to come.....and please save the date...June 21, 2009, from 4 PM on.

Latest news about Michael

Hi everyone
Just a quick note: Michael is doing so well right now that he has gone to Chicago to work on shutting down his apartment. Shaunna is coming April 25 to help. Kelly and Jamie are also there for Michael. He insisted on doing this and we think it's wonderful that he can.
Lucy is hosting an event for Michael May 8 in Michigan. She is amazing!
Thanks to EVERYONE who is doing so much --in so many ways-- to help him!
Marian