Wonderful News regarding Mike’s progress
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.
Mike was released from Healthsouth Re-Hab Hospital this past Thursday. We will get home care with an RN & Physical Therapists twice a week. Will then go to out-patient OT & PT therapy there after. We plan to use physical therapy in the pool for less weight baring stress on his left leg & for more flexibility.
We are all doing our best and continue to let you know when we can, how much your prayers and love keep us above and beyond the situation and how many miracles keep appearing for us. Most of you know that I am not surprised, but, so amazed and thankful when I can see them!!!! Mike thanks you from the bottom of his big, big, heart and even though he does not feel like talking on the phone or having visitors just yet, pls. know how much we appreciate everything in our lives and that includes you all.
Our sons, Anson, Preston and Derrick (that lives in Texas) are being upheld by God’s grace and are so trusting in God’s guidance in our lives and challenges.
Pls. email us a line or two and I will be posting photos of the the 2nd jazz jam a.s.a.p. It as so wonderful that Mike was able to attend. He thoroughly enjoyed it!
From your help & support, I bought Mike a beautiful Ibanez hollow-body electric guitar in red sunburst and black background. Will send a photo of his playing soon. He is able to practice sometimes.
Blessings & Miracles Everywhere,
Deb, Mike, Anson, Preston & Derrick & Michelle Howard
Sven said,
August 20, 2008 at 1:47 am
As a long time fan of the “Donny Hathaway Live” album, I was glad to finally see Mike Howard’s name finally come up after a recent google search after listening again this weekend (DONNY HATHAWAY: “Second movement Y’all… From Washington D.C…. On guitar…. In the right corner…. Mike Howard! You got it Mike…”).
I was then shocked to see the news, as that is the last thing I wanted to read. Luckily it seems that things are stabilizing a bit after your recent surgery. I am thankful for Mike’s music, and even more grateful to have spoken to him today, what a monster on guitar, and so full of soul, even just talking. I’m glad you’re in good spirits, and we’re with you Mike!
—Sven
debi33 said,
August 20, 2008 at 3:07 pm
Hello Everyone,
This is the best time we’ve experienced in 9 months, every since Mike was first entered into the hospital & later officially diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma. Mike began receiving weekly chemotherapy treatments 4 weeks ago. The first blood test on the 2nd week of treatment showed his condition improved with only 1 treatment & with each week thereafter!!! We are so grateful & thankful to have been blessed to be involved with the Mayo Clinic Multiple Myeloma doctors & research here in Scottsdale, AZ. We go on our weekly ‘date’ for blood tests, doctor visit & chemo treatment. We have lunch in between waiting (a great cafe!!!). Thanks again Barbara Kavanagh, Alan & Eileen Roth & Dr. Rafael Fonseca for getting us to Mayo!
Since Mike’s right leg amputation is totally healed, Mike began outpatient re-hab yesterday to prepare him for a prosthesis for his right leg. Just before we started therapy, I got a call from a fan named Sven. He has written a comment under ‘About Mike’. We spoke for a little while and he explained because he heard Alicia Keys in an interview talk about Donny Hathaway, he looked up and found Mike’s blog.
Thank you Paul Duplantis for setting up this blog and we will be going further with this to add on interviews with Mike, myself and Mike’s musician friends to tell the stories of their careers. We will also be downloading some of Mike’s music with Donny Hathaway, Moe Denham, Joey DeFrancesco & more.
We will be notifying alot of you via telcon & email to see if you want to be included in our blog email list to notify you of Mike’s blog updates.
Thanks to all of you of family, friends & fans that have helped us to get to the road of recovery with all of your support & prayers. We will always have you in our hearts & minds.
Blessings & Continued Miracles,
Debi, Mike & Family