Bringing Hope Home Family Spotlight: Michael
We’re honored to share the story of Michael, a man whose resilience and gratitude have touched all of us at Bringing Hope Home.
Michael’s journey with cancer started with a gut feeling that something wasn’t right. For months, he dealt with pain and thought it was something minor. With limited access to healthcare, getting answers felt out of reach. “I didn’t know where to go,” he said. “So, I just kept pushing through.”
Everything changed when his body forced him to act, and a concerned friend urged him to see a doctor. Michael found a local gastroenterologist who saw him immediately, and within 24 hours, he had a colonoscopy. That’s when he found out he had cancer.
From there, things moved quickly. He was hospitalized, had surgery, and began daily radiation and chemotherapy. Now undergoing an intensive chemo regimen every other week, Michael says he’s constantly amazed by the compassion of his medical team. “They’ve treated me with so much kindness every step of the way.”
It was during treatment that Michael was introduced to Bringing Hope Home through his social worker. At the time, he was facing housing instability and had nowhere to turn. His social worker helped him apply for support through our Light of Hope Family Program. Even after a phone number change made it difficult to connect, the BHH Team didn’t give up. They reached him, processed his application, and had a check for his rental payment sent directly to his new landlord.
“That check saved me,” Michael said. “No one else was stepping up like that. Then they gave me gift cards for groceries, and not just groceries, but the expensive stuff I need to keep my strength up. I couldn’t believe the kindness.”
Michael describes his experience with Bringing Hope Home as “20 stars out of 10.” In his words: “No strings, no games, just people helping people, like they say they will. That doesn’t happen much these days.”
Even in the midst of his treatment, Michael still finds joy in the simple things. He loves bowling, watching sports, and getting out to see new places. “Some hobbies have changed,” he shares,“But I’m open to whatever’s next. I’m just taking it one day at a time.”
Michael is honest about the struggles that remain, but what shines through most is his mindset. “The first thing I saw at the cancer center was a sign that said, ‘Have an attitude of gratitude’. That stuck with me. And I’ve held onto it.”
Now 63, Michael still has a few hurdles ahead, including surgeries, but he’s staying hopeful. “Maybe when they go in, they’ll say, ‘There’s nothing left to remove.’ That would be a miracle. But either way, this whole journey has made me stronger.”