Mike Howard Jazz Blog

Debi Howard said,
July 27, 2008 at 1:54 pm

Sunday morning, July 27, 2008

We have such wonderful news for you! Mike rec’d a further amputation on his right leg on June 28th (the wound was not healing at all) and this past Wed. we got the official word from Mike’s vascular surgeon, Dr. Jeromy Brink, that this amputation is totally healed!

It has been the biggest challenge for me to determine when, where & how Mike would be getting treatment for the Multiple Myeloma. Many of you are aware that Barbara Kavanagh from the AZ Multilple Myeloma Network referred us personally to Dr. Rafael Fonseca, Director of Multiple Myeloma Research & Treatment at Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, AZ. After email connections were made, Mike had an appt. for evaluation within 2 weeks. Dr. Peter Bergsegal is looking after Mike’s health situation and decided to start him on Valcade chemo in IV form, 2 more pill form chemo meds and antibiotics. We are sheduled to get treatments, checkups & lab work every Monday. The drs. said to give it 4 weeks treatment to see it this treatment is effective for our situation. Drs. advise that we not travel just yet. We may be able to take a visit to L. A. in 3 weeks or so.

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Mike got transferred to Healthsouth Re-Hab Hospital on Monday afternoon. He’s doing better and glad to be in re-hab. Thank goodness he loves the food there and knows the nurses and doctors already. This is his 3rd stay this year. So, weekly he is evaluated. I’m gonna guess that he will be there for 2 weeks. You are welcome to visit or call him. He would love the company now that he’s feeling better and out of the grogginess from so much anethesia/meds.

John Vold, a wonderful guitar player is filling in for Mike at Bobby C’s Sunday Brunch and this past Sunday, John came with his guitar and amp and played for Mike & the Good Sam Hospital ward of Pod 1A greatly benefited also. Wendy from Jazz in AZ came also. A couple of our nurse friends, Kristen & Iris were saying that they felt we needed a fog machine to go with the music!!!!

We are hanging in their with lots of faith and thanks for all of you, family & the Lord’s prayers answered daily.

Blessings,
Deb

A real good sign: Mike wants ‘another’ guitar – just like John’s. It’s an Ibanez electric hollow body. I’ll get it for him sometime this week.

Hello everyone mike has been in the hospital since last thursday, june 26th.

He received an angiogram on his left leg to clear some blockage & it was necessary to
amputate more of his rt leg above the knee. We are blessed w an appt july 21st
with the specialists for multiple myeloma at the mayo clinic  in scottsdale, az.
He is currently having a slow time clearing mentally from anesthia & not exactly
sure yet if that is the cause.

Doctors will be running tests. Pls continue prayers and thx for all your caring, faith & love.

Deb

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Here is the video of the last Jazz Benefit held for Mike Howard.  Great music, great crowd and great place.

Click here for Video

You can also find this video on the video menu to the right.