UPDATE
Mike passed away after a long fight with head and neck cancer on Veteran's Day, 11-11-06.
Mike's Obit in The Atlanta Constitution Journal
I love you Mike.
Billy
PS I hear God is a Dallas Cowboys fan. Don't be too hard on him, OK?
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Hi, my name is Mike. My brothers and sister call me Mikey. My brother Bill is writing this for me. I have cancer and don't get around very well right now. But that's gonna change. I'm tough. I'm a Raiders fan. I'm gonna kick it's ass!
Bill posted information about me, my condition, and my love for Oakland Raiders football on his daughter's website (Cassie Bones, RN). Please stop in, check on my progress, and drop me a line. I'll write back as soon as I'm stronger. I promise.
Here is what my brother wrote at Cassie Bones, RN:
Cassie's uncle, my brother Mike, is also an RN. In April 2005, after having been ill for months, Mike was diagnosed with Stage 4A tongue cancer.
Mike wouldn't let the cancer keep him down. Even after the diagnosis, he continued to work in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at the Southern Regional Medical Center in Riverdale, GA.
By July 2006 his health had deteriorated to the point that he could no longer care for the babies. Now he stays at home between visits to the hospital.
Mike never smoked a day in his life, nor did he chew tobacco. The diagnosis was unexpected. The aggressive path the cancer took was one of those things -- one of those horrible and inexplicable things that seems to happen to really good people.
Anyone who knows Mike also knows he's a big fan of Oakland Raiders Football. Has been all his life. And like the Raiders, he's having a bad year. But Mike likes to fight, and he loves to win. He puts on his game face every day. And each time he hits the field he comes out a little stronger and much more determined to win.
With the love and support of his wife, children, extended family and friends, Mike is undergoing yet another round of exhausting chemotherapy. I applaud his strength. I admire his determination. I love and respect him very much.
My hat's off to you Mike. I know you'll continue to fight until you beat this thing.
As the #1 Raiders fan likes to say...
"Just Win, Baby."
- Al Davis
I'd like to ask you to add me to your network of friends, because I could use some love and support right now.
Thank you,
Mikey
