Summary: <a href="http://specialmouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/EB.jpg"></a> I want to tell you about a very special little boy named Mikey. Mikey was diagnosed with Brain & Spine Cancer in September of 2008, just before his 3rd birthday. For the past 6 years his life has been filled with doctors’ visits and hospitals, needles and chemotherapy. And the Muppets. Lots and lots of Muppets! I’m convinced after seeing his photo albums on Facebook that Mikey is the biggest Sesame Street and Muppets fan in the entire world! Mikey's family has been through so much over the course of the past few years. In addition to dealing with Mikey's illness, his family lost their home to Hurricane Sandy & were forced to uproot themselves from their community. In spite of all this, Mikey has amazed everyone with his courage & bravery. That’s why his family calls him “Mighty Mikey.” Eventually, however Mikey’s condition became such that medical treatment of the cancer was set aside and Mikey entered Hospice Care with continued treatment focused on comfort measures and his quality of life. Early this year, his mother Chrissie joined the Special Mouse Podcast Community to help her prepare for Mikey’s Make-a-Wish trip to Walt Disney World and we welcomed her with open arms. We followed along as she posted updates, pictures and videos of their stay at Give Kids the World Village, watching as the family visited the Castle of Miracles and Mikey put his star in Stella the Star Fairy's treasure box and get his very own pillow from the pillow tree. We shared in the thrill of Mikey meeting his favorite Disney and Muppet characters, and sent prayers and pixie dust when he was feeling very sick and having lots of pain. My favorite part was their visit to Busch Gardens, and watching Mikey meet his all-time favorite Muppet friend, Ernie – the look of joy on that boy’s face was indescribable. Chrissy was going to join me here on the podcast to share the story of the family’s Make-a-Wish Trip so she could offer advice to other families but, sadly, Mikey’s condition has taken a turn for the worse since he returned home. I’ll share a couple of her most recent posts on Mikey’s fan page: “[The Hospice doctor] was here a little while ago. Our Mighty Mikey is slowly declining and we are just loving every moment we can with him, whether it's watching Sesame Street or the the Muppets, shopping on Amazon or just holding him while he sleeps.” “Mikey has been alert and engaged for a good 3 or 4 hours today. I am grateful for every moment of those times. We are taking things one hour at a time and loving the times where he is able to interact and laugh with us.” Chrissie and Matt, Mikey, Katie and Timmy – I haven’t known you for a long time, but you have touched my heart and the hearts of everyone in the Special Mouse family. Please know that we are thinking about you and sending you all of our love as you share these last precious hours together. Kathy
