Letting Go.

Happy Birthday Kyle. He has completed 19 years of growing up. It has been so fast. I can remember when he was .... Oh, I better not get started.

For his birthday Kyle will enjoy an all expense paid trip to Fort McMurry, Alberta to attend the annual Spring Carnival held at the Thickwood Recreation Complex. He and one other travelling companion will stay at the Nomad Inn and they both will be treated to sandwiches, doughnuts and bottled water back stage between shows and return to Vancouver with a monetary bonus.

Actually Kyle and Brady are covering this out of town gig for a weak and queezy Meeks the Clown. The Meeks Brothers Juggling Duo are stepping up for 2 stage shows and 2 hours of roving entertainment. It was an easy sell to the agent from Edmonton who has seen them perform together. They have worked hard and put together a great show for Fort McMurry.

I'm seeing that passing a baton requires letting go. God speed boys !

Blessings in difficult times

My family and I thank you for the love and support you are sharing wth us in our time of need. It is so good to know we are loved. We love you.
This whole ordeal is God’s work. We Meekings are just in the middle of it. Now, you are compassionately jumping in with us. Weeks ago, after initial news went out to people, honest heartfelt support started rolling in. This showed me that God is working.
People would say to me, “I don’t usually pray, but I will pray for you Mike.” Cool, I thought, people getting closer to God.
Another wonderful response, “You know when Jacob wrestled with the angel of the Lord and would not let go until the Lord blessed Jacob? That is what my family is doing for you Mike.” Wow, such intensity for God.
Friends, whatever you to decide to share as a gift is part of God’s work. He knows what is going on and He knows what He is doing. Your gift is between you and Him. It is really none of our family’s business. This has been an awkward thing to say because it is an awkward situation.
I am praying for all of us that as we cozy up to God each and every one of us will be touched by the gravity of His presence and His infinite wisdom and love for us all.

Radiation - a profitable resourse

Those of you who have asked about our financal situation, Mike thinks that he has come up with a sure fire win-win answer for a home business. Here its is. We will be selling the Meeks home radiation kit. Have a look...

Seriously, a "helps" account has been set up for us at:

Bank of Montreal

Broadway & Arbutus Branch

Transit # 2713

Account # 8215-151

Two of five consecutive radiation treatments to the lung (at the CANCER CLINIC!) are complete. The bleeding has decreased considerably!

Thanks for your support & prayers.

God with us.....

Friday April 20 has been an eventful day. One background detail I should add is that since I have had this condition I have been moving bloody mucus from my lungs. My oncologist Dr. Ho said that, "This goes with the disease however, if anything changes please let me know."
So, on Friday there were changes. Lets just call it an episode that left me with a bleeder in my lung. I called Dr. Ho at 8am. She doesn't begin her day at the cancer clinic until 9am. But, on Friday she had an early meeting. This caused her to be near her desk during the exact 2 minutes when I called. Our conversation was a good exchange of information then she sent us to Vanc. General after sending ahead our paper work. The emergency nurses expediently put us in a room then off for a chest xray within 20 minutes. Before another 30 minutes passed there was a team of respiroligists checking me up and down. The respiroligists told me they could do a bronchosopy to see what was bleeding inside the lung and if this was done by a surgeon, the bleeding could be controlled by a procedure. So, contact to a group of Surgeons who were in the hospital was made. While waiting to hear from a surgeon, I had a nap! Dr. Ho arrived and spent about 20 minutes sharing her take on the situation and answering our questions before going to see another patient in VGH. She returned with news that on her way to visit her patient she rode the elevator with one of the surgeons who was contacted, so they had a face to face meeting about my situation. The decision was made that the surgical route was too invasive and radiation treatment on the lung tumour would be the best option. So, now it is 2:30. Dr. Ho will contact the cancer clinic to see when we can start the radiation treatment possibly Saturday or Monday. No luck getting through. Jody and I are told that we'll get a call when something is set up. Dr. Ho leaves. Jody goes to make some calls to update friends but comes right back to say, she heard a nurse on the phone with the cancer clinic for Dr. Ho. We wait and try listen to the call. Dr. Ho returns to say," You have a radiation appointment at 3:00 down the street at the cancer clinic." Transport came for us. This is an orderly with a wheel chair. The route to the cancer clinic is a series of elevators and hallways 3.5 blocks long. One of the hallways was very long, narrow and low. I was sitting in the chair with Jody walking beside me. Looking up at her in the low narrow hallway she looked quite big!!

Chemo Begins

I have been approached by friends to look into certain diet regimes to build my resistance to cancer. Thank you, it is good. Jody and I have been clean living for 25 years and believe in strong mind, body and spirit. It goes to show that we have only so much control over our lives.
God is at work and I happen to be in the middle of His job site while He is using the big machinery. I will be open to whatever God has planned for my healing as He leads me.
For now – out with the holistic and in with the ballistic. Wednesday I began six 21 day cycles of chemotherapy treatment.

A quote from the sunny streets of Kitsilano. A catholic grama on my street said to me," Mike I am praying for you. Now you go fight like hell."

Radiation to the brain, completed.

I have completed 5 radiation treatments. From my perspective the actual treatment is nothing. One minute beam on one side then one minute beam on the other then it is over. The science is that the radiation just keeps on working killing the cancer cells . During this time I have been taking a steroid medication. It is true what they say about steroids - it is an upper like cocaine. Those who know me , can you imagine me on uppers? I have organised some cupboards .It has been a trip for my family to deal with this hyped up guy who thinks he needs to say what he thinks and even when he doesn't think. It also increases the appetite, so in two weeks I have gained 10 pounds. I have been struggling with hand stands now I know why - I'm getting fat. Not what you would expect when fighting lung cancer. This whole thing is so weird to me. Here is a photo of Bill and I - he won the belly prize.

February 18 - April 14 updates

This photo taken at Kits Beach April 14. Bald heads on Mike , Brady Alex and Kyle. New short cut for Kayla. Jody and Aunt Penny fully supportive.

Here is the story of our journey since February. These entries are taken from Emails to friends and family over this time.

February 18, 2007
I have some news. I had a chest xray last week and it shows that I have a mass on the upper lobe of my left lung. Scary. Wednesday Feb.21 I will have a scope to see what it is. It could be a fungus, TB or some kind of tumor. Whatever it turns out to be I'm going to get rid of it in the swiftest way possible.
So much for clean living - I'm thinking that partying was the way to go. Not really, now I'm strong, otherwise healthy and ready to do battle.
The reason I had a chest xray was last weekend while playing (roller) hockey I was on the bench working on my usual lung butter and it got redder and redder. I thought "Man, I'm sick."

Now I'm ready for the next game of afflictionary. You know when people talk about what ails them - This one could be a topper.
So, pray for me and I'll keep you posted.

February 21, 2007
I just got back from having a bronchoscopy test done. What that is, is a tube down your throat and into your lungs with a fiber optic and a camera. I was awake when they did it so I could see inside my own lungs. Like on Discovery Channel I watched the whole thing on a monitor and noticed every time I gagged the camera would jump all over the place.
I didn't really know what I was looking at but I asked the doctor to talk while he was doing the test.There is definately something there. I could see a well defined blob just at the top of my right lung. Last email I told you left lung - I must have looked at the xray backwards.This thing is inside my lung floating around and pretty much blocking air to my right lung. No wonder I have felt tired for the past year. I thought I was getting old.
Anyway, this blob is a tumor.They took some pieces of it to test to see what kind of tumor. I may have the results before the end of the week.

February 23,2007
I have preliminary results from the biopsy.The cells do not look like cancer. Preliminary results means that there are other tests that have yet to be completed. And my doctor said that they may want to get more cells from the middle of the mass. So this news is good so far but not complete news. It does confirm how I have been feeling about it. We are relieved - I suggested we should celebrate with cigars. Once more I will keep you posted when hews comes in. Contact me any time.

March 1, 2007
Today Jody and I went to see the lung specialist who did the brochoscopy last week. We went to get the results from the biopsy that he took. The results are inconclusive. They did gleen enough information to say that it is a tumor in my lung. The lung specialist is certain that it can be removed so he has sent us onto a Thoracic Surgeon. While we were waiting to see when the appointment would be with this next specialist I was asked if 2:00 today was ok. Sure I said.The short story is that this next specialist is going to cut it out of me but only after he does some more tests to confirm if it is cancer then what type it is and what stage it is at and if there is any more in other parts of my body. There are 4 tests I need to do. Blood test (done), brochoscopy (again for bigger deeper biopsys), CT scan (star wars-cigar tube), lung function (tubes and treadmill). All this is to happen before Thursday next week.

March 8, 2007
Monday March 26 is my surgery date. Dr. Finley is the surgeon. Today he did a bronchoscopy (my second, but the first that Dr. Finley did on me). The reason for the second was the results of the biopsies were inconclusive from the first one last week. When they take the piece off the tumour they have a fiber optic to see right up close. Right after the test he made an appointment for Jody and I to have a meeting with him later in the day. He says that he is 93% sure that it is cancer. Once he is able to take the whole thing out then there will be tests to say for sure. Also, when he takes out the tumour he will test the lymph nodes as well to see if there is cancer in other parts of my body.
93 % , where did he get that number? I'm sure it has some psychological effect. Anyways folks, please cosy up to God on my behalf and pray for me - it works! Monday March 26 - I have always hated Mondays.

March 16, 2007
Since the surgeon told us he was 93% sure we are dealing with cancer, things have changed. Now, as of today, Friday March 16, the latest test results are in. The biopsy that was taken of the tumor came back as necrotic (dead) cells - no cancer found in the tumor. Great news.
However, the CT scan showed spots on my liver. One big and a few small. The CT scan showed swollen lymph nodes around the brochial tubes. This called for a liver biopsy, which I had today - if I was still a bartender, I would mix Newfie Screech, Amaretto and Scotch, pour it over a tequila worm and call it a liver biopsy - it may go down just as easily! - I think I had some "discomfort" that they said I might experience. We will wait for the results of this latest test. They need to determine exactly what they are dealing with before they do any surgery. Confused yet?
Thanks to all of you for your love, support & prayers...we need it all.
More later.


March 20, 2007
Today, we were called in to see the surgeon. Now, we will backtrack. He was right about the tumour. It is cancer. The biopsy done last Friday on Mike's liver showed cancer. It originated in his lung but this tumour has "outgrown" itself and is now dead cells. There will be no surgery for now. Mike has been referred to an Oncologist. He is on the "Urgent" list and awaiting an appointment. The surgeon thinks chemotherapy will be the way. They may also do radiation on the tumour in the lung. All this is speculation for now.
We will need your ongoing support and thank you for it.


March 30, 2007
Well, we thought we wouldn't be writing for awhile, at least until the chemotherapy treatments had begun.
The direction has changed a bit. Mike went for a pre- booked CT Scan of his head today. The results were not good. It revealed three tumours in his brain.
The chemo is on hold now and he will receive five consecutive radiation treatments on his head starting early next week. After radiation is complete he will then begin chemotherapy.
We know we are in the Lord's hands and believe it's amazing that Mike has been able to function so well despite all this being undetected for so long (they say years.)
My prayer in the beginning was that the Doctors would have wisdom as they treated him and that ALL the cancer would be revealed..............
So, since we're praying for a MIRACLE why not pray for a BIG MIRACLE.
Mike has said many times through this that he loves laughing with people and now everyone is sad & it's because of him. He's so concerned about everyone else.
Thanks once again for your love, prayers & support during such a trying time.

April 2, 2007
Thanks for your concern. We are doing well considering the circumstances. Lots is going on and seems to be changing day by day. We are discovering this all now but actually I have had cancer growing in me for 6-8 years. Go figure.
The day by day routines have changed quite a bit. I'm not working. Not driving. I'm taking it easy because I get tired. ( sounds like a holiday doesn't it.) Waiting for appointment schedules. The big picture has not changed but is now in sharper focus. My family is still the most important to me. This is God's richest blessing in my life and still is during this time of crisis. My health has always been important to me - death is still the ememy. Just now it seems a little closer than it was 2 months ago, but actually back then I was only kidding myself - who really knows.

April 14, 2007

My hair is coming off my head by the handful. Today we will shave it off. Kyle, Alex and Brady have been preparing for this day. It is Jody's birthday - Party shave Saturday.