Day 57

Today Mike has been very tired he ask Radation Dr. why he was so sleepy and tired all the time he told him he has 3 strikes against him to make him exhausted all the time and that was Radation,Chemo and the Cancer itself wich makes alot of since.We have only 5 radation treatments left and 1 chemo.....We will stay an extra week or so to make sure he stays hydrated and blood count don't drop or have to have more blood before we make the trip home.Tonite is new years eve and we are at the apt. just letting him get his rest hoping and praying for a great new year to come.God has been so good to us thru this whole ordeal.No one can understand what it is like from day to day not knowing how he will feel until he wakes that day and God has given me strength to deal with this day by day.I have been with Mike for almost 22 years and Love him with all my heart and everyone that knows him, knows he is a very loving caring person and will do anything for anyone.I look foward to being with him for many years to come and I truly belive it is Gods will for the cancer to be cured.Happy New year to eveyone we miss and love you all. Please keep us in your prayers.

DAY 56

Mike has only 6more radation treatments left we will be doing his last chemo on Friday and hope an pray everything goes ok and we will be home in about three weeks.We will stay about a week after everything is done to make sure his blood counts and everything is ok. We sure want to thank all of our friends and family that came out here and spent time with us that sure helped time go faster and Mike always tried to keep his spirite and energy up for all of you. We love and miss all of you.Keep us in your prayers.

DAY 54 & 55

We took Jess and Corey to airport a little bit ago we will miss them sooooooooooo much we want know how to act with just me , Mike and Mema. Mike is feeling kinda tired again wich worries me I hop it is just all the company and not his blood count again.We are counting down the treatments we are so ready to come home. We miss and love everyone. Keep us in your prayers I know God has been with us thru all of this and we will continue to lean on him and put it all in his hands.

day 53

Mike is a little better today he ate a good breakfast and seems to have a little more energy. The Kids have 2 more days then they will be flying home.We will miss them so much. we love and miss all of our friends and family.we have 8 more radation treatments and 1 more chemo,thank goodness.Please keep us in your hearts and prayers.

day 52

Mike is feeling better still a little tired but glad to be back @ the apt. He ate a really good breafast and dinner so that is great.The kids will go home on Monday so I know we will miss them.We hope everything stays on track now where it will not put us off going home soon. Our christmas this year was totally different than any years in the past but it was still good because Mike is feeling better. We miss and love everyone. Keep us in your prayers.

day 51

Mike got to come home today around 2pm thank goodness we were so ready to leave that hospital.He got 2 units of blood last night because his red blood count was real low.They gave him some new meds. so maybe they will work. Now he will get his last chemo @ the end of radation and we have 9 radation treatments left so we hope his blood count will not drop anymore. Keep us in your prayers. We love and miss you all.

Day 50

It is Christmas Eve and Mike is still in the hospital his blood count has went up to 2.7 so that is an answered prayer in itself. We have to get it to @ least 4.3 or 4.5 to go home we are hoping we can go home tommorow. This is so amazing to me this time last year we were having Christmas @ Mema's(Mike's mother) this has been tradation for many years this is the first time in I think Mema told me in 51 years she has not spent her christmas with her children and family.It makes you think we are not promised tommorow so this is an eye opener for our entire family.Corey & Jess are here so that helps his spirits also.Everyone here@ the hospital has been so nice. We Love and miss everyone, please keep us in your prayers. Merry Christmas to everyone.

Day 49

Mike is still in the hospital is white blood count is still low it was 1.3 yesterday went up to 1.4 today normal is4.3 or higher.He has lost alittle more weight he is about 181 now. We hope to get the blood count up and get out of here, because his immune system is so low he could catch anything while in the hospital. Keep us in your prayers , we love and miss everyone.... They have a computer in thoe lobby @ the hospital so this is great I can still post the blog.Mike's mother and I bot h stayed the night last night and will continue to saty until he gets to go home. Merry Christmas to everyone we love you all the Hicks Family.

day 48

Mike was admitted to the hospital today his white blood count is very low and he is very sick. I came home to get his clothes. Please keep him in your prayers.

day 47

Mike is still not feeling to good has sept most the day.This is the worse day i a week now it seems like we get one thing well something else happens.We have chemo Christmas eve so please keep him in your prayers this will be the last one until we find out if the cancer is gone in a month are so.We only have 10 more radation treatments.We love and miss everyone.

day 46

Mike is starting to hav a hard time talking his throat is very sore. At night he seems to be struggling to breath he woke up with a horrible coughing spell and was having a hard time catching his breath. He still can not eat because his mouth has those horrible blisters in it and the meds are not helping.I gave him 4 cans of milk and he is tolerating it better now.Keep us in your prayers, we love and miss everyone.

day 45

Today has been a good day Mike still can not hardly eat becaus of the blisters in his mouth.But he is taking meds to help this. We went to airport to pick Jessie up this afternoon so we have her and Corey here with us for Christmas this is really going to help him so much. Please keep praying we love and miss everyone.

Day 44

Today was a good day we have got him up to 3 cans of milk a night and he is trying to eat but has blisters all in his mouth from the radation so they gave him another medication for this. He ate breakfast this morning and they also gave him a medication for him to have an appetite and it is working but he can not eat because of the blisters. His spirits is alot better now I know seeing Jo'leigh was the best medicine, and all of our other family that came. He has chemo again on Dec. 24th so keep us in your prayers. We miss and love all of yuo.

day 43

We tookour family to the airport today we were sad to see them go.Mike's mouth has gotten bad again he has thrush and he can not hardly eat are drink anything.I am going to give him 3 cans of milk tonight. His spirits are up because our son Corey is here and our daughter Jessie will be here Friday. Time really goes quick when we have company. Keep us in your prayers we love and miss everyone.

day 41 & 42

Yesterday and today have been really busy days our family is here and we have been on the go alot.Mike had a good day yesterday but started getting nauseated again this morning we pretty much stayed home today because he was so tired and sick. We did radation treatment number 23 today 12 more to go then chemo on Christmas Eve so keep us in your prayers we love and miss everyone.

Day 40

Today was good day we went to Riverwalk and the Alamo and ate @Rain Forest Cafe. He got tired early so we went home it was a great day seeing his spirits up so much.We all are tired but had a great day. We love all of you keep us in your prayers.

Day 39

Today was a good day. We got up went to couple of yardsales just to get out.Mike ate agood breakfast 2 eggs and a waffle.He is still taking 2 cans of milk @ night.We are all tired we have company,Debbie,Kay, Margie,Jennifer, Corey and Jo'leigh came tonite and we are so excited.It really helped Mike's spirits. Keep us in your prayers. We miss and love all of you.

Day 38

Mike is better today, he ate 2 fried eggs & grits this morning he ate a little pasta @ lunch.We went and bought him a couple pair new jeans he went from size 36 in the waist to a 32.Then we went and walked some so I know all the prayers we got going on are really helping so please keep them coming.He still has a long way to go but we can and will beat this cancer.Please keep us in your prayers we love and miss everyone.

day 37

Hey everyone We went to Gastor dr. today everything is good no blockages anywhere.They are slowing the feeding rate down thru the machine and what we gave him last night stayed down thank goodness.We were @ drs. all day say we are all tired. We are so excited about our company coming.Mike acted as if he felt a little better today so if we can improve just alittle evry day that is great.We miss and love everyone and keep praying for us.

Day 36

We were back @ Dr. today getting IV fluids the machine did not help he is still throwing up the milk. We wil go to gastro. Dr tommorrow to do endoscopy to see if anything is going on in his stomach. Got the nauseua patches tonite just put one on hope and pray it works. It has been along day, keep praying and we love and miss all of you.

day 35

Hey everyone was back @ dr. today getting IV fluids still can not keep anything down the dr gave us new nausea patch for 2 without ins. is $784.00 with our ins. it will be $100.00 they will last 7 days.They also sent out a machine to feed him the milk slow during the night to see if he can keep it down that way if not the next step is a pick line.He is so sick and has no energy he has been in bed since chemo on last Wensday.Thank everyone for all your prayers for Mike and all of us, I am starting to get tired but know I have to stay strong for him, we have been together 21 years and I am not willing to loose him.I know god has a plan for Mike and I pray to him every day and night. I know our God can heal Mike and I truly think that is his will. Again many thanks for all your prayers we love and miss everyone.

day 34

We went to radation this morning Mike has lost 11 pounds by there sccales since last Monday.His home healt nurse is going to bring out a machine and we are going to try to feed him slow during the night to see if it will stay down that way.He is still not eating by mouth @ all but we are steady pushing fluids @ him. I know with all the prayers going on for him he will surely beat this nasty diease. We will all just keep on keeping on.LOVE & Miss ALL OUR FAMILY & FRIENDS.

day 33

Mike is still putting up a good fight against his cancer, he tries really hard to hide is pain but you can look @ him and know he is going thru a horrible time.He has not been eating by mouth,still drinking lots of fluids and feeding him thru stomach tube he is only taking about 2 cans nows dr. wants him up to 4-6 cans a day.We go back to radation tommorrow he has 24 treatments left.PLEASE KEEP HIM IN YOUR PRAYERS!!!! WE LOVE & MISS EVERYONE!!!!

Day 32

Mike is feeling alot better today, still tired and nausated but @ least he is up and moving around.Yesterday was a horrible day for all of us. We are so looking foward to our family coming out next weekend maybe he will be feeling better by then. Please keep us in your prayers.

Day 31

Today Mike has been ver sick from the chemo had to take him back to chemo dr. thought they were going to admit him to hospital but they did not. He has lost 7 pounds since chemo on wensday.They gave him IV fluids and meds he has been in bed all day.Hope and pray he gets stronger in the next few days.Please keep us in your prayers Weove and miss everyone.

day 30

Mike has beenreal tired and sick today from the chemo. He took his fifteenth readation treatment today just 20 more to go.He has no energy at all and can not taste anythhing so he is not eating by mouth.We or forcing him to drink as much as possible. Maybe tommorow will be better. Please keep us in your prayers we love and miss everyone.

day 29

Mike had chemo today he is doing ok just tired. He has not eaten today I gave him 3 cans of milk today. We are all tired from today it was a very long day.His blood count is still down and his blood pressure is also still low. We went and rented him a recliner so he he would be comfortable and could just rest. Please keep us in your prayers we love and miss everyone.

day 28

Today was a better day for Mike.He demanded we put up the tree so we didand it looks really good. It kinda makes the apartment kinda homey now.Mike will do chemo tommorow for 6 hours so we have a long day ahead of us.He has gotten to the point nothing taste good to him which they said this would happen and it makes it harder to get him to eat.We have gotten him up to 2 cans of Isosource a day thru his stomach tube. Keep us in your prayers we miss and love everyone.

day 27

Mike had to go to chemo dr. today and get IV fluids for nausea he will go back for chemo on Wed. he has gained 3 pounds so that was good news I know alot of people have quit posting to the blogs but I still want everyone to know whatis going on and how his days are going. We really want to come home but we feel this is the best place to be for now. Keep us in your prayers, we miss and love all of you.

day 26

Mike has had a good day today, He ate a very good breakfast,lunch and dinner.It is just so odd how some days are good and some are not so good we do chemo in 3 more days that will be an all day thing, I hope he stays strong and continues to fight as hard as ever. We went to get a christmas tree today me & mema was going to get a small tree for the counter, Mike was not having that we ended up with a 6 foot tree. We will try to get it up in the next couple of days. Keep us in your prayers. We love and miss everyone.

day 25

Mike is not feeling to good he has no energy and is just very weak.We took Jessie,Debbie and Tyrone to the airport today and we cried.We had a great time spending time with or family for Thanksgiving.Corey will be coming out in a couple of weeks and we are excited about that. Debbie, Kay, Jennifer and Margie are coming out also. So that helps his spirit alot.I think Mike's blood count is down, I tried to call his Dr. today but they were not there I think he needs some more IV drugs to give him strength. We miss everyone, keep us un your prayers.We love all of you.

day 24

Today Mike has not been feeling to good @ all.The nurse came his blood pressure is better than last week but his stomach tube is not looking to good. He is not eating like he should and the dr. wants him up to 4 cans of the nutritional milk put in his tube but he can hardly tolarate 2 cans a day. We have enjoyed our family being here but they will leave tommorow and it will be a sad day they fly out tommorow.We were going to watch the christmas parade downtown and he got sick so we came home for him to rest. We Love and miss everyone keep us in your prayers.

day 23

Today Mike was not feeling to good we went to eat Thanksgiving dinner @ Lubby's it was a buffet and he hardly ate anything.Then we took Shane his nephew to the airport to go back to GA.Then we went to Riverwalk and walked around and he started getting tired so we came home.His stomach tube looks like it is getting infected so I will call the dr. tommorow to check to see what we have to do. Keep the prayers coming we love and miss everyone.

day 22

Mike felt pretty good today. Went to Alamo walked around got some good exercise.He started getting tired which they said the chemo and radation would do that.We hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving we miss and love everyone.

day 21

Today has been a pretty good day he has started new meds for his mouth he has an infection and the radation is burning his mouth really bad. The meds may interfere with his other meds and efect his breathing so cross your fingers and pray it has no side effects on him. We are up to 2 cans of his protein drinks a day we have to feed thru his stomach tube the drs. goal is 6 cans a day. We go to chemo next week so keep us in your prayers. We miss and love everyone.

day 20

Mike had a pretty good day he has started getting nauseated some but I give him meds for that and it seems to help. We went to Bass pro shop and walked some today. Then walked some @ the mall and pretty much tired us all out not just Mike. We got some cards in the mail from people from our church and they are all so sweet.Went to dr. and Mike has lost 3 more pounds.
Keep the prayers coming we miss and love everyone.

day 19

Today was agod day. We have tried to start him on the feeding tube he is not to happy about that.We went to River walk and the Alamo today,our family made it in late last nightthey drove16 hours straight to get here and they made it safe.Mike got sick late this afternoon and is feeling kinda tired. He still has a bad infection in his mouth I will ask the dr. tommorow about it. We miss and love all of you. Keep us in your prayers please.

day 18

Mike is feeling a little tired today.The nurse came out and showed me how to startmfeeding him thru his stomach tube. He still is not happy about it but it will help with his weight.Our daughter Jessie and ,Mike's sister Debbie and her husband Tyrone and nephew Shane are on their way out they are driving our car so we can turn in the rent a car.Then they will fly home next Sat. So we are very excited to see them.His spirit is really up the past few days so that is awesome.Keep the prayers coiming we miss everyone and Love yall to.

day 17

Today has been agood day so far. Mike is kinda ill somtimes or should I say short tempered.His nurse will come out tommorow and show me how to start feeding him thru the feeding tube so maybe he will not keep losing weight. i am going to post an e-mail our niece Jennifer Ward has sent out to family and friends.Keep all os us in your prayers and we do chemo againg on Dec. 3rd & Dec, 24 and radation is every day but Sat. and Sunday. here is the e-mail Jennifer sent out.


Dear Friends and Family of Michael Hicks, For those of you that do not know who I am, I am Jennifer Ward, the niece(Debbie's daughter) of Mike Hicks. I believe everyone is aware of the unfortunate diagnosis that Uncle Mike was given several weeks ago. If so, you are also aware of the long and hard journey that he has begun to fight it. He, my aunt Missy and my Meemaw took off a little over two weeks ago to Texas to begin treatments. He has left behind many loved ones that are on his team fighting with him as well. A lot of you have read his blog and have kept updated on how his trip has been going. A great deal of people have seemed very concerned leaving emotional and sincere thoughts and prayers. I cannot express how touching it is to read all the messages and how thankful I am that he has so many people here at home cheering him on. All the messages have not only been good for him, but also for my Aunt Missy and Meemaw as well. It is good for them to hear words of encouragement from home. As the blog has read, Uncle Mike has already experienced some really tough days and we know there will be many more ahead, but, at the same time we believe that it is all your prayers that have helped him through it so far. Please keep the prayers coming. He is going to beat this battle and we are all going to help! The road to recovery is not going to be easy, but as we all know, Uncle Mike is a fighter....a tough ole' fella that is going to be hard to beat! I am not only emailing to say thanks for all the thoughts and prayers, but also to let everyone know about a donation account that I have set up in his name. As you all know, they are going to be in Texas for at least 2 months. That means 2 months they will be out of work. I believe it is times like these that family and friends need to get together and help each other. My husband and I began planning a fundraiser, but being they are in Texas and all friends and family are scattered everywhere else, we thought this would be easier to do. The account is at Bank of America. The account number is 334020112959. If you want to donate anything, you can make the deposit yourself at any Bank of America. You may also send it to me at 2486 Warwick Highway Ashburn, Georgia 31714 and I will make the deposit for you. If you want your amount and name listed, you may email (jenward567@yahoo.com)or mail it or leave it on the blog (www.hicksfamilynews.blogspot.com). I will be sending all messages I get by email to Aunt Missy. Thanks again for all your thoughts and prayers! Sincerely, Jennifer WardP.S. Please send this to anyone in your mailbox that you think would be interested in helping them out.

day 16

Today was so much better Mike acts like a different person today.We went to see chemo dr. said blood count looked good also said to keep eye on his weight may have to start using feeding tube soon.Mike is no happy about that but I think Mema and me can over rule on that one.We rode for a couple hours today went got new meds filled,man all the meds he is taking is starting to run together. Keep praying for us and we miss all of you.

day 15

Mike was sick all night last night trhowing up all night long.We called the chemo dr. they told us to bring him in and they started IV fluids @ 8am this morning he got them for about 3 hours,and some nausea meds IV also. After that he want to go get his head shaved so we did.Then he actually want KFC so he ate alittle bit and keep it down. He will not take the amafostine shot before radation any more they think that on top of his chemo made him so deathly sick. He has lost from 204 to 191 since last Wend. (he atrted out @ 228) So we may have to start using the stomach tube sooner than we thought.He lokks better tonight so all your prayers are surley helping keep them coming. We love and miss all of you.

day 14

Another bad day,Mike's blood pressure is still very very low.Dr gave new meds for infection in his mouth today.He is very sick has been in bed all day today has been very nauesated and can not keep anything down.I called chemo dr. wants us to bring him in tommorow after radation to give him IV fluids and meds thru his veins to keep him from dehydrating. Mike's spirits are really down, I have been with him 21 years and never ever seen him like this. Please, pray for him to be strong thru the tough roads ahead of us. We love and miss everyone

day 13

Today has been Mike's worse day yet.We went to radation they started to give him the shot to help save his saliva glands(Each shot cost$561.00 and they plan on giving it every day with radation) they checked his blood pressure it was 90/60 the nurse had to ask the dr. about giving it to him because one of the side effects is it lowers your blood pressure,they went a head and gave it to him took is blood pressure 15 mints. later and it was 84/56. We had to stay until they got his blood pressure up alittle when we left it was 96/58.Mike has been on high blood pressure meds for about 2 years now. Anyway he came to the apartment and went to bed and has been there all day.This is so scary he was feeling good yesterday then today he has been so sick.I want to thank all of you for your prayers and comments this is really helping us alot. Please as always keep him in your prayers we love and miss everyone.

day 12

Mike had a good day today. he is still complaining about things not tasting or smelling right. He ate a pretty good breakfast this morning. We went to walk some @ Walmart and he got tired pretty quick. We are trying to get him to eat as much as possible,the more he eats the dr. say the better he will be.We start radation again tommorow he will go every day this week. We are so ready to come home we miss and love everyone. Keep us in your prayers.

day 11

Today we went to the forbidden caverns and walked about an hour and 10 mints.They were very awesome and it tired us out but we made the whole tour.We went to craker barrel and he ate half of his meatloaf,greens and mashed potatoes. He did really good today we got back to the aparment around 3pm and he has layed around most the afternoon. He acts like he feels alot better today.I hope this continues, the dr. said the chemo would last in his system for 21 days and he would have good ones and bad ones. We are praying for him to keep strong and healthy so they can continue treatments. Keep us in your prayers we miss and love all of you!!!!

day 10

Mike went to stomach dr. today still waiting on biopsy on esophagus.Went to radation, he said things are starting to taste funny his taste and smell is starting to change, which the dr. said it would.He acts like he is feeling better today he has eaten alot better.We went to walmart and walked around for about an hour or so.The dr. told him to try to stay active so we are trying to walk him some every day. Keep the posting and prayers coming. Miss and love all of you.

day 9

Mike went to radation today. The chemo kicked in today he is not feeling good, not eating or drinking hardly anything.He is really nasuated and tired.We went out to the mall to walk some and he walked a little but he started getting sick,if he has not eaten anything by in the morning we will have to take him back to chemo dr. to get IV fluids so he will not dehydrate.I hope and pray he gets to feeling better it is not like him to be like this.EVERYONE PLEASE KEEP PRAYER GOING FOR HIM!!!! We miss everyone and love all of you.

day 8

Today has been a rough day Mike had his first radation and then had to go to chemo for 6 hours straight. They told him he will loose his hair in a week or so and will keep a check on his blood count to make sure his white blood cells and red blood cells are where they need to be.Just being curious I guess he ask them today @ chemo without treatmeant how long would he have lived and they told him 6 months so we are really blessed that we caught it when we did. He has been really ill and hurting but that is to be expected.We love and miss everyone just keep praying love yall......

day 7

We went this morning @ 6am to get Mike's stomach tube(peg) put in they had to go down his throat and into his esphougas to make sure they got the tube in the right place, while doing that they found some lesions in the esphougas and did biopsy's on this to see if it is cancer.He is hurting really bad he ate a good lunch but not very hungry tonite.Well we start radation & chemo tommorow keep him in your prayers.We miss and love everyone please keep the posting coming in it really makes his day when I read this to him everyday.

day 6

We went to chemo dr. today to do blood work went to get meds. for his nausea for chemo 6 pills cost $630.00 but with our ins. we only paid $35.oo he has to have these 6 pills every time they do chemo.Mike has been eating better the last couple days and now weighs 204 has lost from 228. We are trying to make him eat as much as possible to keep him strong.He has not been sick today and actually worked on the phone alittle tonite.If you would like tocall us the apt. # is 210-314-8173. We love and miss everyone.

day 5

Things are still about the same we went to take Debbie and Margie to airport today that was really sad I wish they could have been here longer we love and miss them. Mike ate a really good breakfast and supper today so that was a good thing. We misss and love all of our friends and family and hope this 8 weeks will fly by and Mike will be cured and we can come home. Please keep us in your prayers everyday!
We miss and love all of you.......

day 4

Mike got his new teeth today and we went to the Alamo he had a pretty good day just really tired alot and still having alot of pain and nausea.His sister Debbie's birthday was today and he got up really early and went and bought her a cake and dozen Roses. That was so sweet. Mike has lost 18 pounds so we are trying to make him eat as much as possible.We have been in the apartment for several days and are getting things unpacked and settling in. This city is so big and hard toget use to traffic is horrible we are very bleesed his dr.s are about 3 miles from us. We miss and love everyone Keep us in your prayers.

day 3

Things getting alittle crazy here so many dr. appoiments they are running together.Went to dentist today for new teeth that Mike lost in toliet when he got sick then flushed them by accident. He is in alot of pain and has good days and bad ones also. He will go for stomach tube on Tuesday then the ball will start rolling. will be here @ least 8 weeks is what dr. is saying. Please keep us in your prayers.

day 2

Went to chemo dr. today will start chemo and radation Tuesday, dr.said 60% sucess rate.He also said will possibly lose some hearing also will lose his hair. He will have low blood count so will be very easliy to get sick from anything, his immune system will drop really low and will be very tired alot. We had a hard day today we pray for a better one tommorow. We miss and love everyone keep us in your prayers.

day one

Hey everyone made it to Texas saw the radiation doctor today will see chemo doctor tommorow. Mike is doing ok having some pain in his throat and mouth Dr. gave new medications so maybe his pain will become more tolerable. The Dr. seems to think there is an 80% cure rate so that is awesome. Will hopefully start radiation on Monday or Tuesday. Keep us in your prayers. We miss everyone.

WELCOME!

Thank you for visiting our blog! We have created HicksFamilyNews as a way to stay in touch with our family and friends and keep each of you informed of the events and progress during Mikes cancer treatment. In advance, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your thoughts and prayers.


Mike, Missy, Corey and Jessie