Fuck Cancer / Thank You MGoBlog

Submitted by Cali Wolverine on
As many of you know, my wife (a fellow UM '98 grad) has been battling cancer for the past 6 years. She was diagnosed with breast cancer while pregnant with our youngest daughter. Despite spreading to the lung and brain, she battled through surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, experimental trials, parp inhibitors, and immunotherapy. We traveled around the country for the best treatment trying to find that home run cure, or at a minimum so she could be a mom to our two little girls for as long as possible. Unfortunately, we started hospice care a few weeks back after exhausting all of our options and no longer being able to control the cancer. My wife continues to hang on even though she could leave us at any moment. I just want to thank MGoBlog and all of its contributors for providing such an amazing outlet for one of my greatest passions...Michigan Sports. MGoBlog was the perfect remedy for many restless nights, medical appointments and hospitals visits. The Michigan family will be losing an amazing wife, mom and alum. But like any true Wolverine she battled to the very end. Fuck you cancer - we are coming for you with a cure soon. And fuck the assholes that are negging people's comments. EDIT: We lost her this afternoon.

andidklein

March 1st, 2017 at 5:10 PM ^

It 4 times. She wasn't so lucky the fifth time as she passed last September after being diagnosed exactly two months earlier. So yes, FUCK CANCER!!!

Stay strong, this really sucks, but I am pulling for you and your family.

crg

March 1st, 2017 at 5:22 PM ^

Very sorry to hear about the burden placed upon you & your family.  You will all be in prayers here.  Make the most of the last moments.  Remember what was good and fight to keep that alive & well long after loved ones are gone.

True Blue Grit

March 1st, 2017 at 5:33 PM ^

for what your wife and family have been going through.  Her spirit will live on whatever happens.  It sounds like she is as Chad Tough as they come.  Stay strong my friend.

big john lives on 67

March 1st, 2017 at 5:36 PM ^

Lost my mom to this vile disease. I am an adult and it still hurts very badly. I cannot even imagine the emotions that are felt with your wife's situation.

We will keep you in prayer.

HelloHeisman91

March 1st, 2017 at 5:37 PM ^

I lost my mother to cancer in '06 and completely understand your appreciation for sports providing a distraction. Everybody here remembers the '06 football season, I'm sure. I had tickets to the Iowa game and couldn't go because of the wake and I'll never forget walking out to my car to check the score on the radio to get away for a few minutes. Stay strong, brother.

JBM

March 1st, 2017 at 5:39 PM ^

It's great that you've had this time with her.  My prayers will be with you.  And we on this board will always be there to lean on.

Umich98

March 1st, 2017 at 5:46 PM ^

Fellow UM '98 Grad, I joined to say stay strong!  I lost my mother last November to cancer and still hurt every day.  I can't imagine what you are going through.  Keep her memory alive through stories for your kids.  Good luck Cali Wolverine and God Bless!

RHammer - SNRE 98

March 1st, 2017 at 5:48 PM ^

So very sorry to hear that; I hope you and your family can find strength to help her through this difficult time, and solace in memories of happier times together to help each other get through this as well.  You're in our family's thoughts & prayers

Go Blue in NC

March 1st, 2017 at 5:48 PM ^

Prayers going up for you Cali. I hope your wife, your children, and you are able to find peace as much as possible at this incredibly difficult moment in your life. The MGo community will definitely be sending good vibes your way.

DadBodHermosa

March 1st, 2017 at 5:53 PM ^

Dear Cali,

I am so sorry to hear of your wife's situation and can only imagine how hard this is on everyone involved. I am also a 1998 Michigan grad and am very lucky to have a wife and three young daughters. I honestly can't imagine what you're going through.

We have a strong, supportive MGoCommunity in the Hermosa Beach area and have strong ties to an organization called Walk With Sally (www.walkwithsally.org) that may be of help to you and your kids. 

Please don't hesitate to reach out if you're anywhere near the Hermosa Beach area.

Best of luck,

Matt Abbott

 

UNCWolverine

March 1st, 2017 at 6:08 PM ^

Cali, I am so sorry. I too am a 1998 Michigan alum. dadbod above and I live just blocks away from each other in Hermosa Beach and have been friends since taking classes together in 1995. He mentioned Walk With Sally and I want to expand on that a bit. 

Walk With Sally is a fantastic local LA organization, but we have plans to expand up and down the coast as well as to other states. It's basically a mentoring charity for children that have lost a parent to cancer, or their parent is dealing with cancer. What sets it apart from the rest is that all mentors have also gone through the same cancer-related struggles that the children have gone through. That way they can empathaize with the child, tell them that they too have been there and they can make it through.

I will try to embed this video in a different post, but feel free to check this out which tells the story of Max and me. Max lost his father when he was just 6 years old. I have now been his mentor for over 8 years. He is now a junior in HS and we plan to visit Michigan this summer and have him apply there. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DbMG341SHVI

Do you live in the LA area? I would love to get you involved in WWS to help you and your childresn as best we can. And as my buddy dadbod said above, you are more than welcome to connect with us so that we can help you during this difficult time for you and your family.

 

-UNCWolverine

 

LSAClassOf2000

March 1st, 2017 at 5:54 PM ^

Extremely sorry to hear all this, Cali Wolverine. All of us here will keep your family in our thoughts. Deepest sympathies to you and your family, and stay strong. The MGoCommunity is at your disposal.

East German Judge

March 1st, 2017 at 6:03 PM ^

Dear Cali, I am so so sorry to hear of the stage of your wife's cancer, but she's fought an exceptional battle and my heart goes out to her, you and your two little angels. Me and my family were fortunate that my wife was able to battle it as we caught it early, but I know what you were going through. Love to you all brother.

Hotel Putingrad

March 1st, 2017 at 6:04 PM ^

I hope you and your girls can find a way to cope and always remember your wife's awesome strength in combating this horrible disease (rather than focusing on the agony she's enduring). May God Bless All of You.

michgoblue

March 1st, 2017 at 6:05 PM ^

Cali, I don't know you (other than from your posts), but I can't express how sorry I am for what you and your family are going through. I am also a 98 grad; and the thought of losing a spouse so young is unbearable to me. If you need anything at all, just want to talk to a complete stranger to vent or whatever, just respond to this message.

I have been having a really rough few weeks. The group in which I am a partner at a large law firm is about to be laid off, and my employment prospects in the immediate future are not great - looking at a massive pay cut and a significant demotion in title if I find something new at all. I have been completely down and walking around with a knot in my stomach / stressed out beyond belief for a month now. After reading this, I am going to go home, hug my wife and kids and just be thankful for what I have. I know that this wasn't your purpose in posting, but thank you for the much needed perspective. Your post seriously impacted my outlook today.

Hang in there, Cali.