Go Duke!
I don’t really care about sports, but I am a huge Duke fan. Almost irrationally so. My blue runs Duke Blue. When there was the controversy with their lacrosse team, I couldn’t believe they had done anything wrong. If it had been any other school, I would have thought something was suspicious with the whole situation. But Duke couldn’t possibly do anything wrong!
You see, two and a half years ago, when Mike was getting treatment in Savannah, his doctors told him after only one round of treatment that since he still had cancer cells in his colon, there was nothing more they could do. Dr Hammen told us he wouldn’t be offended if we got a second opinion. I’m so grateful for that because I was more concerned about hurting the doctor’s feelings than I was about saving Mike’s life!
Mike had just turned 31. Mike was so sick he couldn’t fight for himself. At 6 feet tall, he weighed only 108 pounds. Someone on the street tried to sell him crack, and he asked me, “Do I look that bad?” And the answer was, “Yes, you do.”
I couldn’t accept that this was the end and neither could Leslie. We researched where else could Mike get treatment without insurance. That’s when we found Duke.
Less than a month after the doctors in Savannah gave up on him, Mike had his first consultation with Dr Hurwitz At Duke’s cancer center. Dr Hurwitz took one look at Mike, listened to our stories, and realized if he didn’t take care of Mike, he would surely be dead within a month. Instead, because of how hard Dr Hurwitz and Duke fought, Mike lived another two years.
Even though he didn’t have insurance, Mike was lucky enough to have people in his life who could fight for him when he couldn’t. And we were lucky enough to find Duke. But still, I can’t help but think if he had quality care from the beginning, Mike would have survived.
Tags: Patient Pals & Family Friends
Life o' Mike has a peer support program for people with one or more serious or chronic medical issues or disabilities.
We aim to reduce isolation and fear among people who have conditions, including psychiatric illness, HIV/AIDS, diabetes, mild dementia or other cognitive disorder or disability, thereby reducing depression and complications as people learn to improve self-management of their medical conditions.
Patient Pals help alleviate feelings of isolation and frustration. They can help people develop a list of questions to ask the doctor and then accompany the person to the doctor to make sure all the questions are answered, taking notes to be sure the person understands the doctor’s answers.
Our trained volunteers also accompany their “Pals” to art exhibits, movies and walks outdoors, meet for coffee, call to check in and more.
Our Pals have experienced weight loss, improvement in diabetes, HIV, psoriasis, depression and more, just because they have someone who cares about them. Some relationships develop into longer-term friendships; other Pals move on to more independent lives.
Family Friends are there to help caregivers and other family members grow into their new role.
We need volunteers, who are asked to donate a minimum of one hour a week. Training is free and includes information on active listening, ways to help and when to know more help is needed.
And of course, we need funding.
To learn more, call Leslie Boyd at 828-243-6712 or e-mail lifeomike@gmail.com.
Post a comment