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.