Cards, Letters, Phone Calls - Address

4:00 p.m.
Hi everyone. Friday Michael is being downgraded on the transplant list to a level 1-b. Please say prayers...all he needs is a new heart. Just one new heart so he can continue being an awesome Father, Husband, and Friend. He is such a good man. I also wish to thank all of you who have sent personal prayers.

The following update is being provided by Michael himself. How cool is that! "They put me in the room usually used for transplant patients waiting for transplant. It's bigger than my old room and has the best TV on the floor. I have room for an exercise bike and my own fridge.
They want me in good shape prior to going into the transplant so I can better handle it. They have arm exercises for me to do, and walking, or using the bike.

Thank you for the cards and letters of support! Wow, it helps so very much to get letters of support and encouragement! I love you all." --Michael

Mike's New Address is;

Michael DuBois
c/o St. Mary's Hospital
MB4-744
1216 2nd ST SW
Rochester MN 55904.

Or to call, it's 507- 255-5783 and just ask the receptionist for his room. Please call or write to him. It can be really boring in the hospital and a friendly phone call, card, or letter is wonderful diversion!
Keep those cards and letters coming! They will help brighten Michael's spirits (and this is so very important), and they will also cheer up his room. Thank you everyone! Hugs--

New Home in Rochester

Enjoy the Fall Mums from our garden.

I apologize for the lack of updates recently. We've had flooding rains which required us to attend to our bridge.

Tonja and the kids have moved to their new home in Rochester to be near Michael. I would like to thank everyone for helping make this possible. Your donations are much appreciated. As we spoke, Tonja was cooking breakfast in their new home! She sounded well rested for the first time in over a month. The children were very excited and love their new home; it actually has running hot water and heat!! Eventually Tonja will return to Missouri to finish packing. Tonja with help from Mike's pastor Neal, from Missouri (Sandy Church), helped haul their belongings to Rochester. They had a good visit with Michael, and the pastor's wife Leanne, played the banjo for Mike. The nurses were pleased as they say the floor is usually fairly quiet. The children visited with their Daddy, and were very happy to see him. Tonja found a part time job with a nursing home she used to work for, and will be working nights.

Mike has been walking across the room unaided, by holding on to his IV pole. He works with physical therapy to daily gain strength. The Recreational Therapist brings books, magazines, and other activities to try to help keep Mike occupied and quell the boredom. From my own experience, hospitals can be a very boring place to be.


We all pray, a heart is soon found for Michael, and that he grows stronger and stronger each day. Blessings to all and much love to everyone!

Continue with Prayers

11:00 a.m. Mike is doing well. Played scrabble with Joyce yesterday. Richard spoke with him on the phone. He is missing his family so hopefully they'll be back in Minnesota soon. Michael is resting and recovering. Building his energy for that transplant. Mike has to stay in the hospital until they find him a heart. He is on special IV meds. Still on antibiotics for the infections. The children looked very happy to see their mama! They are such awesomely sweet children! Actually, they are a really neat family!

Let's keep up the prayers that a heart is found soon. Michael needs to get stronger and stronger every day and kick that infection. Also, let's continue with prayers that his rhythm remain steady and strong with no arrhythmias.

Prayer Request; Pneumonia & Staph

3:00 p.m. Michael has been walking around. He requires assistance and the use of a walker. He is fighting pneumonia and a staph infection (blood), and is on 3 different antibiotics***BUT he is doing very well. The best part is, he has had no rhythm problems!! Tonja is currently in Missouri picking up their children and housing supplies.

Please say prayers for Michael, that he continues to do well and heals quickly from the pneumonia and staph, and please pray for Tonja and the children.

Many thanks to all of you for your prayers and support.

By the way, we are currently at 72% of our fundraising goal. If you can help, please click on this link. Thank you to all for your donations. The family is most appreciative.

No Updates Today

We have no updates today. Instead, you'll find links to information on Marfan Syndrome

General Information;

From Wiki

National Marfan Foundation

Mayo Clinic

General Information

Educational Materials;

Posters/Pamphlets They have one that is excellent for coaches, school nurses, and other fitness instructors.

For Emergency Medical Personnel;

Triage Nurses

EMS Providers Just a note; I was told when Michael was suffering a life threatening tear, the EMS workers, believing him to have indigestion, insisted he walk down 3 flights of stairs to the ER. When he arrived, doctors had 17 minutes to ice him and get him to surgery. I think a little education would help, so if you can, please educate your local EMT's and emergency room workers.

Hope everyone has a great day today. Many thanks for your continued prayers.

First Steps

This is the house where Michael, Tonja, and their children will live while in Minnesota.

1:30 p.m. Tonja: Michael walked with a walker today, about 15ft!! YEAH BABY!! It's like learning to walk all over again. He did great, now he is tired and needing a nap....God is great!!! Thank you all for your prayers!

Michael's Friends; We apologize for the lean updates but Tonja is out of cell phone minutes. Thank you all for your prayers and support! Michael has come a long way and is doing awesome.

I want to let everyone know, we have reached 72% of our goal! This is amazing considering the short period of time we've had. This fundraiser will provide the down payment on the home in the photo above, and allow Michael to remain close to the hospital after discharge. If anyone would like to contribute a story, thoughts, etc, just drop us a line. Many folks have shared with us, incredible experiences they've had while journeying on this road with Michael.

You Tube and Burger King...a reason to celebrate!

The photo above is the front of St. Mary's Hospital which is part of the Mayo Center. Michael is at St. Mary's.

9:30 a.m. Update from Tonja; Michael is currently sitting up in bed watching You-Tube!! He has been talking on the phone. He said, "Hi" to Richard this morning!! Rick said it was awesome to hear his voice and to let everyone know, "Michael's humor is definitely intact"! He's had no arrhythmias. He gets up in his Mega Chair a couple hours at a time, and a few times a day. His chair lays flat and he is helped to it. The back is then cranked up so he can sit up. He needs to get some strength back and will require physical therapy. Michael is requesting Burger King and Waffles, but instead is being provided yummy cream of wheat from the hospital kitchen.

Tonja's mother was going to leave yesterday but a snow storm altered the plans. She left this morning and is driving home to Pennsylvania. Although Tonja is very tired, she hopes to go to Missouri on Monday or Tuesday, just long enough to pack things up and return to Michael. She wants to get the house set up and ready for Michael when he is discharged. Currently Tonja is out of phone minutes, but she does have free nights and weekends if anyone should want to call. Thank you all for your prayers, support, caring, friendship, kind words, sharing, and for walking with Michael through this and rallying for him! Thank you for your donations and helping us get a home to bring Michael too. Hugs and Love to all!

Note from Michael's Friends; Hi all, I think Michael is ready for those cards and notes! Also, he is up and watching You Tube videos, so if anyone wants to make and upload videos for Mike that would be really cool!