Thoughts and prayers for Mike Irby

[Deana_King]

From his daughter on Facebook:

Hello family
We have just finished with daddy's visit with Dr Decastro. He is certain daddy has converted from MDS to AML(acute Myleiod Lukemia) daddy's hgb today is 6.6 with persistent cough, fever, fatigue and lethargy. Dr Decastro said he did not need to perform a bone marrow biopsy for confirmation because he sees cell changes (morphology) under slides from his blood work the last 2 visits. Choices are: 1) admit to hospital, treat him aggressively with chemotherapy with a 30% chance he may have an additional 6 months of life. 2) Continue with transfusions as long as he can for as long as he can with the understanding he is getting progressively worse 3) stop everything and Dr Decastro will call in hospice.
When he returns in two weeks we will see Dr Decastro again and daddy will have to have made a decision then.
Just know daddy is tired both physically and mentally. I told daddy we absolutely support him in his decision whatever it may be. He is reeling from information overload and was not prepared for that discussion today. Everybody send daddy positivity through prayer and your love. Prayers for him to be at peace with his decision and to know we love and stand behind him 100%. This has really knocked him for a loop today. Love y'all Irby Strong

 

[JP4UNC2020]

Prayers to Mike and his family. May God bless them and keep them strong.

 

[Raising Heel]

From his daughter on Facebook:

Hello family
We have just finished with daddy's visit with Dr Decastro. He is certain daddy has converted from MDS to AML(acute Myleiod Lukemia) daddy's hgb today is 6.6 with persistent cough, fever, fatigue and lethargy. Dr Decastro said he did not need to perform a bone marrow biopsy for confirmation because he sees cell changes (morphology) under slides from his blood work the last 2 visits. Choices are: 1) admit to hospital, treat him aggressively with chemotherapy with a 30% chance he may have an additional 6 months of life. 2) Continue with transfusions as long as he can for as long as he can with the understanding he is getting progressively worse 3) stop everything and Dr Decastro will call in hospice.
When he returns in two weeks we will see Dr Decastro again and daddy will have to have made a decision then.
Just know daddy is tired both physically and mentally. I told daddy we absolutely support him in his decision whatever it may be. He is reeling from information overload and was not prepared for that discussion today. Everybody send daddy positivity through prayer and your love. Prayers for him to be at peace with his decision and to know we love and stand behind him 100%. This has really knocked him for a loop today. Love y'all Irby Strong

Thanks for sharing, Deana. Mike goes way back on these boards and has been an important part of the THI and UNC family. I hope the rest of our online community will join me in sending prayers of comfort for Mike and his family.

 

[Archer2]

We love you Mike and will be praying for you and your family. May God give you strength as you prepare to end this journey and embark upon another one. Our thoughts are with you.

 

[WoadBlue]

Saint Peregrine, pray for Mike Irby

 

[Tigertown_a_Rick]

Mike, you and I have never met even though we've resided on opposite ends of the same County....What I can say as a fellow Transylvania County resident is that you have been a true inspiration for a lot of people who have been inflicted by Cancer or some other dreadful disease....My father also had a never give up attitude that added 25 years to his life....A life lived with only 1 lung for those last 25 years, but his persistence, determination and down right will to live is something that I have carried with me all my life....I know that your fight against this disease has been long, hard and undeserved, but know that you have a lot of good folk who are sending prayers your way, and your inspiration and never quit spirit will live forever in the hearts and minds of your friends and love ones....

God Bless you and your family and may God give you Peace and Comfort in knowing that a better place awaits those of us who believe in our Heavenly Father....

 

[sctarheel30]

Prayers for mike and family sent. Hang in there sir. Cancer sucks and yes I should know.

Mike, you and I have never met even though we've resided on opposite ends of the same County....What I can say as a fellow Transylvania County resident is that you have been a true inspiration for a lot of people who have been inflicted by Cancer or some other dreadful disease....My father also had a never give up attitude that added 25 years to his life....A life lived with only 1 lung for those last 25 years, but his persistence, determination and down right will to live is something that I have carried with me all my life....I know that your fight against this disease has been long, hard and undeserved, but know that you have a lot of good folk who are sending prayers your way, and your inspiration and never quit spirit will live forever in the hearts and minds of your friends and love ones....

God Bless you and your family and may God give you Peace and Comfort in knowing that a better place awaits those of us who believe in our Heavenly Father....

Well said