"I've Got Sunshine"

Mike passed away surrounded by love.
He never stopped fighting.
He never stopped loving life.
He never stopped loving you.

As the days and years go by, always keep Mike's spirit close to your heart, and never forget how to: #fightlikeMike

                                                                    Mike Palermo                                                            
                                                                  Live, Love, Sing

Just Ask Mike

As we approach this blessed holiday week, our family is grateful for all the love you have shown us. Mike finished his 4 day chemo drug to help rid his body of the the HLH and combat the lymphoma. He continues to fight each day with out knowing where his levels will be.  The one thing we do know is that Mike loves his family and friends.  He is holding on for all of us!  Mike wants to be home for his Christmas Eve birthday, he wants to be with the grandkids Christmas morning, he wants to hold Bonnie tightly, and he wants to give a big thank-you shout out, to all of his cherished friends.  Right now he is extremely tired and he just wants this treatment to work so he can have more time.

                                                       (5 days ago)

Friends stop wishing about the things you want to do and make a plan to do it this coming year. Do something kind for a stranger and for goodness sake, love your family.  Life is precious in every way! Through the mountains and valleys find the good in your journey, find the good in others, and find the good in yourself.  If you are unsure about how to do this....just ask Mike.

Contradiction

Mike is back at UNC.  We met with another doctor on his team and he said that Mike was a contradiction.  Mike's PT scan showed one thing and the numbers showed another.  After listening and researching,  this genius doctor hopefully found a missing link.  Mike has HLH, an autoimmune disease on top of the lymphoma. The HLH and the lymphoma are fighting, making the cancer do strange things. Mike started another chemo last night, which will hopefully get the HLH out of his body. Friends, we prayed for answers and now we have them, thank you! Keep praying for Mike and Bonnie's strength during these next few weeks.

                 This photo was taken 2 weeks ago with his pastor/life-long friends from PA.

Stronger

Lymphoma can be a beast, but it has made us stronger, closer, and has us praying even harder.  Mike came home this week with a big decision weighing on him.  His levels have slowly come up on their own, it's a huge relief.    Mike and Bonnie have been overwhelmed by the love and support of their friends and random acts of kindness by strangers.  We are convinced that guardian angels have been looking out for Mike on this journey!  Please keep praying because it's working.

Reactions To Blood

Mike's levels dropped drastically low on Monday and he was transfused.  He had a severe reaction to the blood and started again with rigors (severe shakes), fever, and rash.  Later in the afternoon another fever occurred, which would not go down after taking medication.  They called an Urgent Response Nurse to the floor to get him moved into the Step Down-ICU floor, which would have a cooling blanket.  The fever eventually came down and he received a boost of platelets. Mike was able to receive the majority of the dose before another fever occurred and rigors.  We have a new set of eyes looking at Dad today, along with his team following him on the Step Down floor.  Hopefully sometime today he will be moved back to Oncology after his levels come up.

Canes Fight Cancer

This picture is from Sunday. Mike was overwhelmed and so happy to receive this jersey from his friends at the Carolina Hurricanes, thank you!

The benefit was a great success as well.  It was truly heartwarming to hear how many people showed up to support Mike.  Words can not express how this love has lifted his spirits.

Think Green and Fight

Mike came home from the hospital last weekend, but is now back at UNC.  He started getting fevers again.  His levels are very low so they have been giving him platelets and blood for the past 2 days. Mike's voice is strong, but he is very tired.  Thanks for your continued prayers.  Mike's benefit concert is being held tomorrow.

JOIN US:
#fightlikeMike Benefit Show
November 19th from 7-10pm,
Caddy's at Rose Hill Golf Club
4 Clubhouse Dr.
Bluffton, SC 29910

Here are the bracelets to help support Mike and green is the color for Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma.
https://funds.gofundme.com/dashboard/MichaelPalermo