<br>I just got off the phone with Lena, Mike's wife, and I asked her if it would be ok to post something here updating you all on Mike's condition. She said it would be fine.<br><br>I'm not sure who all knows, but Mike was diagnosed with thyroid cancer last April. He had an operation and some treatment. Well, unknown to them, the cancer spread to his liver. By the time they discovered it, the tumors were rather large.<br><br>They decided to operate but it was too late. They had to put in a feeding tube last month after the operation because Mike couldn't swallow anything. Mike was discharged and hospice came to his house to assist. Mike slipped into a coma the other day and apparently has some infections. Doctors say Mike could go in one day or 10 days. <br><br>I first heard about the cancer in the early part of June. Mike and I corresponded via PM here since he told me about it. Lately the PM's had gotten fewer from him...and I kept sending more, thinking it was the chemo keeping him down and that he would be back. Unfortunately, he won't. <br><br>He kept an online blog about his condition, it's here. I post it now so that we can remember Mike. <br><br>Even though Mike and I butted heads at first, we developed an online friendship as time went on. He is one guy I really considered a friend here. I'm sad that I never got to meet him in person like I had hoped to one day.<br><br>Please keep Mike and his wife Lena in your prayers/thoughts. I'm sure Lena is going through a really tough time right now. I'll try to get an address (unless someone else has it) so we can send cards/flowers/etc if you want.<br><br>"You mean they're taking the thoughts we think we thought and making them thoughts we think we thought... I think." - Patrick <P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1><EM>Edited by JohnR on 08/03/04 08:34 PM (server time).</EM></FONT></P>

That is just terrible. Thanks for posting the message. <br><br>Mike and I always butted heads in the forum over anything to do with politics, but it was never personal and we had a nice friendship via PM where we would talk about computers and he would send me Buy.com coupon codes. <br><br>What sad news. Count me in on anything you guys want to put together. <br>

Oh man, I am completely blown away, I had no idea. <br>It is such a hard thing to go through, I know because my wife's cousin died of cancer over a year ago and the ordeal was painful for all.<br><br>My prayers go out to Lena, Mike and their families. <br><br>

Thank you John for sharing that with us. If Lena is aware of this post, I want her to know that she and Mike are in my prayers. I'm so sorry this is happening to them. <br><br>

I'm just blown away myself...he played it off like it wasn't anything.<br><br>"You mean they're taking the thoughts we think we thought and making them thoughts we think we thought... I think." - Patrick

OMG, I suspected that, but I had no idea it was that bad. Thanks John for letting us know. My thoughts will be with him.<br>

I just wish the big lug would get back here and post that he was joking!<br><br><br><br>"You mean they're taking the thoughts we think we thought and making them thoughts we think we thought... I think." - Patrick

Wow. This is unimaginable.<br><br>As much as we butt heads around this place, we are all, in essence, family. We share our thoughts and feelings, share in our victories and defeats, at times look like heroes and other times look like dopes. Like I said, we're like a family.<br><br>Like others, I've butted heads with Mike, but he's part of my MacMinute family and I'm sick that he's going though this. <br><br>We will say a prayer for Mike, and his family, with hope and faith that his health returns. <br><br>****************<br><br>[color:red]VOTE for President George W. Bush on November 2, 2004</font color=red>

mmhh.... that totally sucks... sometimes I wonder why bad things happen to good people.... sometimes I wonder why bi^&*(ng about work, and some other stupid things and not live at 110%... FUBAR! =(<br><br><br>%-) <--- me?

Matt, <br>unfortunately, I don't think Mike will recover from this. <br><br>"You mean they're taking the thoughts we think we thought and making them thoughts we think we thought... I think." - Patrick