Its been a while, live continues to fly by.....where does the time go. Well I have a lot to talk about. We have great news to share with everyone. Michael returned to CHOP yesterday for his weekly appointment. It had been a week since he was last seen. This was the longest time lapse since Michael had been first diagnosed. The doctors wanted to see if they could stretch his blood transfusions to an entire week. And, we made it!!!! Stacey couldn't have been happier after yesterdays visit. Even better, after not receiving transfusions for a week, he didn't even need one yesterday. The doctor was pleased with the outcome and said he will see us in another week. We were also stopping the night shots for his immunosuppressive therapy. If all goes well we will be decreasing his steroids next week and hopefully get him off of those also. Fingers crossed that his body reacts and produces on its own.

Michael had an event filled weekend. He had a surprise visit from a local husband and wife who read his article in the paper and wanted to do something for Michael. They contacted me last week and said that they personally know David Akers, kicker for the Philadelphia Eagles and they had something from him to delivery to Michael. On, Saturday they personally delivered a jersey and hat signed by David for Michael. He was shocked and very surprised that they were personally signed for him. It was so nice for a complete stranger to do something like this. Watching his face light up when they gave it to him felt so good. Michael is especially thankful to this couple, as well as David Akers.

Saturday evening, we took Michael to the store because he wanted to buy something for his mom for mothers day. He picked out a necklace for her all by his self. He couldn't wait to give it to her, so as soon as we got home he gave it to her.

That's it for today and next time it will not be so long for an update!

Good morning all-

What a weekend!!!! The benefit was amazing, Stacey would like to thank each and every person. It was such a success. The support was amazing. Michael was very grateful for being able to attend, he was looking forward to it all week. He spent Sunday resting, he was very tired after the benefit. He returned to CHOP clinic on Monday for his transfusion and returned home for some more rest. No other news to report. I will be posting pictures from the benefit this evening.

Happy Easter!! Hope everyone had a great day. Michael is hanging in there, he is a tough boy. Michael was able to spend Easter with everyone. His counts are the highest they have been in a long time! Great news for them. He is still undergoing all of his treatments and is very tired, experiencing muscle spasms and bone pain. Stacey and the family was very thankful to have Michael home for the holiday. Michael spent a lot of time with his family and friends and everyone was very happy to have him home and be able to spend quality time with him. Easter day was very busy for him. It is the most activity that Michael has had in a while. He spent yesterday resting and recovering from it.

We are preparing for the benefit, it will be here before we know it. If anyone still needs tickets, please contact Roslyn Wright at 856-297-8927. For those of you that need the address for the Big Apple, it is: 528 S. Harding Hwy, Buena NJ. We look forward to Saturday and will see everyone then.

Michael is home and currently is doing well. His counts have been increasing, which is great. He is continuing to go to CHOP and receive transfusions a couple times a week. Michael celebrated his birthday on Thursday and was able to make a short visit to his school. He was so nice for him to see his friends, it really brightened up his day. Although his counts are increasing, Michael is still very tired and weak. He is having a difficult time with his treatments and medications. They have some side effects that have been affecting him. Please continue to pray and have HOPE for Michael.

I am extremely happy and thankful for the outpouring of kindness that this benefit has brought. From friends, family, individuals and businesses. Stacey and her family would like to personally thank everyone for the gracious donations. Stacey has also received an email from a local family in Vineland who has a son who has aplastic anemia. He was diagnosed a year ago and has recently relapsed and is in need of a bone marrow transplant. So please pray for this family.

Michael came home on Tuesday evening and is still undergoing his home treatments as well as going to CHOP a couple time a week. It has been very hard and a big adjustment. Michael has to be given a shoots in the morning and at night as well as several pills throughout the day. He is still receiving blood transfusions a couple times a week. Michael has also been experiencing side effects to many of his medications and as a result has been in a great deal of pain.

On Friday, Michael was seen at CHOP for a treatment and we were notified that his blood counts were very low and they would continue to closely monitor him. He came home and hours later was doing worse and had a fever. Stacey and Doug took him back to CHOP and they admitted him again. He had a very very rough night and was in a lot of pain. The doctors told Doug and Stacey that this in and out of the hospital would unfortunately probably become the norm for them for a while. It could be months before they know whether or not the treatments are working.


The doctors have also said that he is NOT ALLOWED TO HAVE ANY VISITORS AT ALL!!!! This is very important for him, because of his low blood counts and fever.

Just a reminder to all, please contact Roslyn to purchase tickets for the Miracle for Michael

It has been a difficult weekend. On Friday the doctors has talked about letting Michael go home and being able to continue his treatment at home and going back up to the hospital a couple times a week. But, then on Saturday morning his blood counts were back down, so they recinded the plan of discharging him. His body is not responding to the current treatment. In the beginning of the treatments the doctors were very happy with his response to the treatments. But, shortly after his body was no longer responding. Tomorrow the doctors will be discussing what the next step of treatments are. Please, continue to pray for Michael, we need prayers. We are all hoping that Michael's body just need some additional time to respond to the treatments.

It has been such an emotional roller coaster for him and the family. One day his blood counts are up and things are looking great and before you can blink things are not looking so bright again. Michael is tired and is experiencing some side effects from the treatments.

The benefit is underway and family and friends are working hard to make this a complete success.

Please leave comments on the blog for Michael, he would enjoy reading them and knowing that people are thinking about him.

Good night

Hello everyone, I just got home after spending some time with Stacey. She is so strong! She has taken a short break from the hospital to get some much need rest. We have encouraged her to come home every couple of days to do what she needs to do and most of all spend time with her other child, Ariyana (2). For the most part Stacey spends all of her time at the hospital. Her parents and Michael's father take turns staying over for her when she needs to get some stuff done at home. She was just saying she wouldn't know what to do if she did not have such a great support system. Stacey was attending college full time, but due to the recent diagnosis of Michael, she has withdrawn. She was really trying to continue the semester, but after some thought decided her son needed her most.

Michael is hanging in there, its been so tough for him. He has been pretty much confined to his room (except for an occasional walk). He has video games, coloring books, magazines and visitors to keep in occupied. The new treatment that he has been receiving has made him very tired and he spends much of his time resting. I heard that he received a DVD from his class and that he really enjoyed it. Stacey said his face lit up and he was smiling. His room is filled with cards from his classmates. Stacey has taped the cards all around his room, we all enjoy reading the get well wishes, kids say the cutest things.

As far as news, they have not really received any new news. These treatments could take a couple weeks before they really have any new answers.

Also, we have a benefit planned for Saturday, April 18, 2009. Michael was admitted to CHOP on February 23 and is going through various tests and ongoing treatments, he has a long road ahead. As you know these expenses can be costly. We are hoping the benefit will raise money for his family to help cover some of these costs. The benefit will take place at the Big Apple in Buena (Route 40) from 7-12. Tickets are available and cost $25.00 for adults and $15.00 for children. Ticket price includes a buffet meal and soda. Cash bar, 50-50, entertainment and chinese auction. For tickets please call 856-297-8927 Roslyn Wright.

Launch of Miracle for Michael

Hello everyone! Welcome to the launch of Miracle for Michael, a blog to keep Michael's family and friends informed. As most of you already know, Michael has been diagnosed with SEVERE aplastic anemia. Aplastic anemia is a rare and serious blood disorder in which the bone marrow (sponge-like tissue inside the bones) is unable to function properly and results in low red and white blood counts as well as a low platelet count. In the United States, about 500-1,000 people develop this type of anemia each year. He is currently receiving blood and platelet transfusions and is currently undergoing immunosuppressive therapy(ATG).

We are currently in beginning stages of planing a benefit for Michael and as more information becomes available it will be posted. Feel free to leave questions or comments for Michael and his family by adding a comment to the posting.

Please continue to read the site, learn about what Michael is going through.