Fighter Friday - Michael
Tell us about yourself or your fighter: Michael was born April 14, 1976. During delivery his heart rate fluctuated so they placed a probe on him to record heart. After delivery his heart rate was fine but we noticed he slept and sweated a lot. At his three month check up his pediatrician heard a heart murmur and immediately ordered test. The Dr. from Denver were coming to Wyoming in a couple of weeks. Dr. McGrath examined Michael and we took him to Denver Children's Hospital within a week. His first surgery, August 23, 1976, was banding of the pulmonary artery and increase size of aorta valve by slicing the valve 3/4 of the way and adding a dacron patch. There were many setbacks after surgery, high blood pressure, lung collapses three times, high blood pressure and labored breathing. Second surgery was March 31, 1978 to first take band off of pulmonary artery and patch the hole in between the left and right ventricles of his heart, VSD. The hole in his heart was the size of a nickel and they had to cut through the left pumping chamber of his heart to repair the hole with a dacron patch. His third surgery was on June 17, 1982 by Dr. Mahoney. There was an obstruction in the aortic valve it worse then they thought but were able patch it. The fourth surgery was on December 10, 2002 to replace the aortic valve with a pig valve. The fifth surgery was on January 20, 2014 were they replaced the pig valve with a mechanical valve. The on May 28, 2017 Michael was in a UTV accident where they needed to repair the T12. He was told he would never walk again and be in a wheelchair. Michael is walking with a cane and doing amazing.
Can you share a memorable moment that embodies your child's bravery and fighting spirit?: Michael has been a fighter since birth. I remember him wanting to go outside after second surgery and sitting in chair in his bathrobe. He was so happy to be outside. Michel finished the King of Hammers UTV race using hand controls in 2023.
Michael's motto: Never give up even when you're told you can't. He is living proof of determination and never giving up on his dreams.