The Hikin' Mike Update Thread

“After all that has been going on lately, I thought I’d post a little update for anyone that’s interested.

Some of you may know I haven’t been able to walk on my own for almost two years. This whole ordeal started about two years ago with elbow and shoulder pain. My doctors diagnosed me with Lyme Disease and I was put on antibiotics. This helped my elbow and shoulder pain, but then I started having trouble with my knees. They continued different treatments to no avail. Recent x-rays and MRIs of both knees show very little cartilage left. My only option now is total joint replacement.

The doctors aren’t 100% sure what caused my knees to deteriorate so quickly, but suspect it has a lot to do with my weakened immune system. Because my immune system is so weak I’ve been receiving monthly IVIg infusions for the past two years. I will most likely have to continue this long (~5 hours) and expensive (~$4500) treatment for the rest of my life. Thank goodness for insurance!

Because of my weakened immune system and the possibility of infection, the surgeon will only do one knee at a time. Because my right knee is worse (only by a margin), I’m having it replaced on April 17. I’m not sure on recovery time, but I’m hoping by June/July I’ll have the other knee replaced and maybe by September/October I’ll be 100% again, but I’ll settle for a strong 75%!

After not being able to walk without either a cane, or a walker, the thought of being able to walk with my wife and kids again is almost something I can’t comprehend and describe. While I can’t say I’m glad this happened, it did help me to appreciate the simple things in life that I used to take for granted. I tried, sometimes not very successfully, (ask my wife) to use this as a learning experience. What did it teach me?

It has also taught me how to accept and sometimes ask for the help of friends and strangers. This was a tough one. I’ve always tried to help others when I could; be it financially through special collections at church, to hands on help like fixing cars for those less mechanically inclined. Since I can no longer do a lot of things myself, I’ve had to rely on the help of friends, family and even strangers.

As a Christian, I wish I could say this was the best thing that ever happened to me, but I can’t. I can’t begin to count the times I’ve literally cursed God. But, looking back I can also see the little things He has done to bring me up out of the pit I was in. Is my faith stronger because of this? I really don’t know. I do know it hasn’t been lost and I guess that’s all that matters.

As a photographer, it has taught me to look at my surroundings differently. Not being able to get around and get to the “money shots”, I had to get creative, sometimes shooting from inside my car.

The last and most important thing I’ve learned and hope to pass on to others is this: Please don’t take anything for granted.

Thanks for listening…”

“I'm pulling for you Mike! You are truly an inspiration. Good luck, I think your knee replacement surgeries will go well. : )”

“Thanks for sharing, Mike. We can all benefit from your words................”

“Good luck Mike.”

“Thanks, Mike! You've done a great job with that camera, wherever you are.

My father had a knee replacement and it went fine. May yours go well. My thoughts and prayers are with you.”

“You are in my prayers! I hope you have a speedy recovery and are able to be mobile! It is hard to see something like this as good or as a growing experience...well enough with the growing and on with life!!!

I hope to hike with you someday!!”

“All the best to you and your family Mike.”

“Positive vibes Mike! Thanks for sharing.”

“Thanks for sharing and congrats on keeping to move forward. You and your family will be in my prayers.”

“Mike, thanks for keeping us update. All the best to you and your family”

“Good luck Mike!”

“Glad you're keeping the faith! Your photography shows you've got a great head on your shoulders - you'll come out of this great. You're in my prayers.”

“Mike, thanks for the update. Best of luck to you. Lyme disease has taken on a bit of a special meaning to me over the past 7 months and, as you know, I've been trying to follow your progress. I'm elated that there is an alternative that may serve you well. My hopes to hear those words have been just that since I first started monitoring your story. Stay strong, Mike. You seem to have a great perspective on life. Keep us posted...”

“I say this from the heart: disease sucks. Good luck. You're an inspiration.”

“Mike - What is happening with your Lyme disease these days? Is that still in your system? I will be keeping my fingers crossed that the surgery makes you more mobile and comfortable.”

“we're rootin' for ya Hikin' Mike.”

“Thanks for sharing, Mike. Our prayers are with you and your family.”

“Thanks everybody!

Doctors don't think I have it anymore and I'm inclined to believe them. From what I know about the disease, it doesn't destroy cartilage and I've seen my x-rays...it ain't pretty!

The docs think my immune system allowed something to get in and cause inflamation in my knees. It's that inflamation they believe cause the sudden deterioration of my cartilage.

April won't be here soon enough! :-)”

“My thoughts are with you.

Mike have you ever heard of taking sharks fin? I have a close friend that swears it worked miracles on him although it is a lengthy process. All the cartilage was destroyed in his hands to point he could no longer do carpentry work which was his life. He's now making a living doing it again. Just a thought.”

“John, I took Shark Cartilage for a while to no avail. :(”

“I have a good friend in CA that just had both her knees replaced. The surgery was tough as was the first few weeks or recovery, but after that she bounced back really quickly. She was walking with a cane for a while and now you would never know she had them replaced. Quite a magical procedure. She was quite young to have them replaced. It was a shock to all that knew her.”

“Mike,
I think that the heavy meds used for a long period can cause cartiledge damage. I was on high doses of antibiotics as well as steriods for an illness and now I have problems in my hips. Something to think about.
I'm sure all will go well for you and wish to see you on the trail next fall.”

“Mike, I'm sure you've felt like Job during this ordeal. You may or may not realize it, but you are an inspiration and I am praying for you. Knowing you are like many of us, with a deep love of God's creation and an adventurous spirit and desire to explore what He has made, I can feel for what you're going through and the longings you must have. I also feel that once you are physically able to get out again, you will appreciate it on a level much higher than us, and provide motivation and inspiration to others who also have physical limitations to do as the things they love. Through your experience you will be used for good things, I really feel this to be true.”

“I have a feeling that I'll need to bring 10lbs of tissue with me on my first backpacking trip because of the tears of joy I'll probably shed! :-)”

“Be glad to help ya carry those tissues, Mike!!”

“Mike, you really are an inspiration. I hope I would have your attitude if I was in your situation. If you can't be thankful for what you do have, it makes life a sad experience. Thanks for helping me step back and see God's grace in my life.”

“Mike, it's been so hard to think of the lively, energetic man I met in Yosemite being grounded as you have been. That's the trouble with Lyme disease...the cure often brings horrific complications.

I know getting out, seeing God's gift to us in the form of our earth and the support of your family, friends and church has helped a great deal but you have helped us also by the courage, strength and perserverence you have brought to your trials. I know that I, after my illness, shed many tears of joy on my California trip thanking God that I was able to see the magnificence he lavished on that State...the Pacific Ocean, Coastal Redwoods, Sequoias, Kings Canyon and the incomparable Yosemite...

I look forward to hearing about your return to the wilderness and the pictures you will share your with us....”

“Just had a cancellation this morning. My new surgery date is February 24th!!!”

“Such great news.

Totally inspired by your progress and perseverance. And I'm really thinking some goal setting for an up-and-coming trip might help with your recovery. You know, get that fire going inside to get outside and more among us wildlife.

If you need help while coming out of surgery or during recovery, just say the word. =)”

“Hikin Mike, I almost missed this thread. Thank you for being you, for sharing what's in your heart. I mean it. You restore my sometimes shaken faith.

Great or not so great about that it may not be Lyme's disease? Does that mean things should generally be better? I hope so.

Great about the sooner date for surgery. Knee replacements seem to be one of those surgeries that I'm always hearing good things about. I'm counting on you to keep it that way.”

“good luck mike.”

“I don't think this is due to Lyme.

Timing wise, the surgery will be a strain on the family, but I can't put it off any longer. My wife has an out-patient nasal surgery the day before mine. Not 100% sure how I'm going to get to Stanford, but I think my father-in-law may take me, or someone from our church.

James, I've already been thinking about trips, but I really don't know what to expect as far as recovery time. I'm hoping it will be possible to be walking again by September.

I already know where I'm going for a first trip. I'm taking the wife and kids on a day hike to May Lake in Yosemite. It's just going to be a "baby step", as far as distance, but it is something I'm really holding on to for recovery.

As soon as I feel 100% again I'm going to put together an overnight trip, destination TBD. Everybody that wants to come will be invited to share in this milestone.”

“Hikin Mike, I want to officially volunteer to 'sherpa' for your family trip. I would love to carry gear for you and your wife and kids, and I'm sure my husband would, too. We could drop it off and then fade into the background and come back to help you carry it out. I can think of nothing I would like to do more.”

“Thanks for the offer, I don't think it will be necessary.

I am going to really consider going lightweight now. Trouble is, now that I've been bitten by the photography bug, all the weight savings will be cancelled by the photo gear!”

“Lightweight is good. Now we need to teach our photography stuff to walk by itself. I hope you won't need any help, too, but if you do or if it lets you get out sooner, the offer stands.”

“HM, have you heard of the new minimally invasive technique where the Dr. goes in and applies titanium to the ends of the bones and doesn't have to put pins in the ends of the bones? A friend of mine just told me about it.”

“Like Wannabp I hadn't caught this thread before.

Mike: I deeply respect you for hanging in there and doing your utmost to stay positive and real at the same time. I'm really looking forward to your next backpacking trip report. I'm sure there will be 10lbs of tissue used across the country when its posted.”

“Happy to hear the encouraging news, Mike. Hang in there. Seems like the good vibes are with you now. May you get on a roll from here and not stop until the mission's accomplished. Best of luck!”

“I'm into this light weight thing and all Mike, but...Titanium knees? If a spork costs $15......Wow! ;)

Great news!!! I am confident that victory will come in time Mike...hang in there!

I await the day we can leave the roads behind once again. I will also offer sherpa services on the first trip.

Thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.”

“I think this is the "non-evasive" procedure. My surgeon told me the procedure is "just like capping a tooth". It takes about 1-1.5 hours to do.

Kinda wondering how much them new knees are going to cost too! My insurance didn't want to continue paying for a high dollar antibiodic that was helping me. Now they have to pay for two knee surgeries. Serves them right.

Now I need to come up with a new trail name. I'm thinkin' Robo Hiker...”

“Good luck to ya big guy!! I will do everything in my power to hike your milestone hike with you!!!”

“Now I need to come up with a new trail name. I'm thinkin' Robo Hiker...”
Hikin Mike
12:59:36 PM
2/06/06
ignore this user

What about $6Million Hiker?

“Gentlemen, we can rebuild him. We have the technology. We have the capability to make the world’s first bionic man. Hikin' Mike will be that man. Better than he was before. Better. Stronger. Faster.”

Good luck with the surgeries.”

“Good luck Mike!”

“Oh my gosh Hikin' Mike....I'm sorry you're having to go through all this :( I hope you heal up real soon and that you stay healthy going forward.

This is all from Lyme Disease? I never really knew how bad Lyme disease was. Thank you for your post and sharing your challenges with the TT'ers. I will send good thoughts your way.

ps - we could all chip in a buy you a donkey to photo hunt on! That's supoosed to be funny haha...you'd have to change your name to someting like "Riding on donkey Mike" hehe”

“I am reminded of the book of Job.
You keep hanging in there and we'll keep rooting for you.”

“LOL Lumberzac!

TwinkleToes,
Not sure if this is from Lyme. Probably never will know.

HPM,
Big difference between Job and I. He never cursed God...”

“Howdy All!!

I've had a rough few months to say the least! About a month after my first surgery, I had some drainage that the doctors were concerned about, so they opened up the knee again to "clean things up". There was no infection, but to be safe, I've been on daily IV antibiodics. About a few weeks after that, I started bleeding and after a week of trying to stop it, they decided to put me in a full leg cast. I got the cast off last week and now only wear a leg brace. I had a few days of drainage after the cast was removed, but it's been 4 days and no problems. To add to that, two days ago I found out me and about 20 others at work no longer have a job due to a company buy-out.

This is the first day that I've felt up to walking down the hall and down a step to get to the computer. I hope to be on here more often now, but I can't promise anything.

Thanks everybody for your cards, phone calls and prayers!”

“Hey Mike, best wishes!!

Its nice to see long time TT'ers check in!!”

“Hang in, Mike!!!! And do keep updating frequently.”

“Thanks guys. Unless anything unforseen happens, I'll probably check in every few days.
last edited: 5/12/06 2:43:45 PM”