update from marian - mri results

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. Please 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: 4230 N Oakland Ave, #178, Shorewood, WI 53211. For Silent auction items, please contact Lucy Saunders, lucy@beercook.com. Blogger software is having trouble with comments so email is best.

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

facebook page for the benefit on April 14

Here's a link to a Facebook page about the tasting & silent auction to benefit Michael; please share with your friends. Our goal is to have 100 people there - and many wonderful gifts and services have already been donated, including 19th century china mini-teapot, Pewabic pottery tile, artwork, and more...


And in case the imbedded link isn't working:
http://www.facebook.com/reqs.php#/event.php?eid=73325119679

April 14th at the Newberry Library - the first tasting fundraiser

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