Saturday, September 6, 2008

Hospitalized at Mayo

Where do I start.... It seems like several steps forward and a half mile backwards. Michael was taken last Sunday (Aug 31st) back to Mayo by my parents to be admitted to the hospital for treatment or a blood infection. He is growing a species of Clostridium in his blood that they have been unable to identify yet. He has been on antibiotics for a week and had no fever or chills up until this evening. Know we are taking steps backward once again. We thought he would be coming home in the morning but looks like he bought himself a CT in the am and at least a few more days in the hospital. He feels pretty good and has little discomfort. He is just bored with the hospital and its food. His 3rd dose of chemo will be put on hold until this blood infection gets cleared up. We are still uncertain how he got the infection in his blood and are still searching for a source. I am home getting the kids back into a routine with school. My brother, Jay, is getting first hand experience of what raising four kids entails. He has been summoned on numerous occasions to take kids to school, pick them up from the bus and babysit while I catch babies. He's probably thinking he didn't move back to Gaylord for this. That's what he gets for living across the field from his big sister. We continue to take one day and sometimes one hour at a time. The kids are holding up very well.

Winter was able to make in out to Colorado Springs, CO for Nationals in triathlon. She got to spend three days at the Olympic Training Center. Winter placed 10th in the United States in triathlon for 9-10 year olds. Not bad for a nine year old from Gaylord, MI. The boys and Winter are getting geared up for a huge race at Disney in two weeks. Many of you know they have teamed up with Athletes for a Cure and are the host family at the Inaugural Triathlon for prostate cancer. The race is held at Fort Wilderness Campground on Disney property. Several families from Gaylord will be attending the event to help support Team Winter, including the Butka's (YEAH!) Besides myself and the kids, Chris Dandeneau, Gabby Rose and Lisa Tobin will be racing under Team Winter in support of Michael. Michael should be well enough to travel we hope!!! He has alot of supporters he needs to meet and thank down in Florida. The event will have about 1000 athletes racing for one cause "Team Winter" and Prostate Cancer awareness. If you have not seen the website, go to http://www.afactri.com/. They have created a guest book for Michael and we would like as many people as possible to sign it. Team Winter has raised over $10,000 to date. The Safeway Foundation is matching our amount so it is actually $20,000. Thanks to all those who have so graciously donated to Winter and the boys (Yukon, Magnum, Ruger) and me. We are continuing to collect donations, especially since Sept. is prostate cancer awareness month. Any amount you donate will be matched by the Safeway Foundation http://www.athletesforacure.org Let's try and get Team Winter to $15,000 over the next 2 weeks. To donate, go to the http://afactri.com/ website and click on Join Team Winter. You can then click on any of the kids names which will bring up their donation page. Michael is so proud of what the kids have done for the Prostate Cancer Foundation. This is one of the only ways the kids feel they can have a direct impact and can help fight their dad's cancer. Team Winter is working, people came up to Winter in Colorado because they recognized her name and what she was doing for the Prostate Cancer Foundation, especially thanks to the you tube video put out by Athletes for a Cure. More people are aware of prostate cancer and that 40 year olds can be afflicted, thanks to just four short months Team Winter has been around. What possible impact will Team Winter have 10 years from now!!! Stay-tuned.

Michael has not given up and neither has Team Winter!
Support Team Winter
Dawn & Kids

12 comments:

OBShell said...

GO TEAM WINTER!!!!
YOU ROCK!

Anonymous said...

hey, Michael, I'm heading back to Rochester, too. Hopefully you won't still be there by the time I get there (this Saturday), but I'll give you a buzz to see how you're doing and I'll drop by if you're still there. Take care buddy!!

heidimw said...

Michael,
What a great picture of all of you! What a beautiful family. Sorry to hear that you are back at Mayo again! MAJOR Bummer! Get rid of that infection so you can enjoy yourself in a couple of weeks at Disney! I am sure you are so proud of your family's efforts to fight this disease along with you...very inspiring to us all...

When you are at Disney...don't leave there until you ride SOARIN at Epcot. We were there this past spring...and SOARIN was the best flying experience ever! Highly recommend it...2 thumbs up...

Hope you are having a GOOD day! Stay strong...and smile...thinking of you always...

Hugs,
Heidi(Hella)

jester said...

Hey Michael - Sorry to hear you're back in MN so soon, but hopefully it's for a short stay. If you're still hanging out at Mayo when I'm back from CA (on the 15th), I'll try to catch up with you and drop by. Take care of yourself!! Eric

Anonymous said...

Hola mi amigo!
Nice pic!! Hope you are doing better in Mayo. Maybe you can hire your own personal chef to bring you goodies from the outside world!

Not much to report from the West of Ireland. You've obviously had another chat with the weather fairies..it's NOT raining today!

xxx, Shelley

Sean O'Connor said...

Hi Vineckis,

Just checking in, Mike. I hope you can get down to Orlando. It's got to be a drag to have to go out to Mayo again, but, as my dad used to say, "ya gotta do what ya gotta do". He was a wise man, if not always articulate.

Take care, we're thinking about you.

Sean and Cathy

jan said...

Michael: I sure wish you didn't have to have setbacks and that you were able to just concentrate on fighting the cancer. I think of you all the time and am so hopeful you are having a good day. Email me if you get a minute. Take care, Michael, and stay strong.
jan

Becky said...

Michael,

I hope that you are home by now... I haven't had much time to sit and catch up with blogs, discussion boards ect. in the past few weeks... I (we at MSAA) have not forgotten about you... I had a moment of silence at our Aug. auction for you and others who needed prayer...

Keep strong... and as I have seen in the new family photo... Your are ...

Smilin' Keep it going...

With prayers from the heart...

Becky

Anonymous said...

Total stranger here, just wanted to say you and your family are an inspiration. I'll be racing this weekend at Disney, and look forward to seeing the level of support and excitement you guys have been able to generate. Looks like the fundraising has been going well, which is awesome. Winter is an amazing little girl, you all must be so proud of what she has been able to accomplish. If your story and her efforts are enough to get a total stranger to sign up and fundraise for Team Winter (which I did!!) then your obviously doing something right!! Here's to Michael's health, finding a cure, and to a great race weekend in Disney.

heidimw said...

Good Luck "Team Winter" this weekend! I am sure some of you are on your way down to WARM sunny Florida right now! We are all racing along with you...from afar...racing for a cure. You have touched many around the world...Team Winter...you are truly an inspiration!

Michael...wishing you warm Florida sun on your face, and special time with your family and friends. Cannot wait to hear about this weekend's adventure. Safe travels!

Smile and stay strong...
Hugs,
Heidi(Hella)

the parental unit said...

Good Luck to Team Winter!! I'm sure you guys will do a fantastic job in your fight for a cure.
Michael, I don't know if you're out of the hospital yet, but I pray that you are and are feeling well enough to travel do Florida with the family!
Still keeping you in my prayers!
God Bless and safe travels!

Lyne :)

Anonymous said...

If I had been a cheerleader in high school, I might have a fantastic clapping, rhyming, jumping, diving, somersaulting cheer for you. But, since I was a mere mortal and geeky drama girl, all I can say is: GO TEAM WINTER!!!