To make a long story short and as many are aware Michael had a severe high speed interstate car accident on November 10th, 2016 in Tampa Florida while coming back from Disney World with his cousin Amber in which he broke his neck. Michael was 23. The accident was not his fault. He was rear-ended at interstate speeds by a Ford F-250 who was weaving in and out of lanes. Previously the driver was expect to be in court that following week for a few hit and. He was charged reckless driving resulting in injuries and his driver's license was suspended. He failed to appear. While Michael walked away from the accident, literally with the state trooper (His cousin did not). When he got to the hospital, it was revealed that he broke several vertebrae and had severe spinal stenosis myelopathy and swelling that should have rendered him quadriplegic.

Michael has been struggling with chronic and severe back pain since then. He's tried multiple conservative treatments and from multiple doctors. It's really consumed him both physically and mentally. For the most part just fought through the pain. Most never knew with how he carried himself. Still trying to live life and push off surgery. You name it. He's tried it. People to this day are still sending him recommendations that he has tried.

This last year has really hit him hard. He was in so much pain he went for an epidural in his spine and consulted with six different surgeons and many medical journals and lectures. The epidural worked for maybe a few months and brought a lot of hopeful relief. That was until his pain returned 10 fold and it must've had aggravated things (despite the doctors sticking to their guns and saying in no way did the epidural cause those symptoms).

Signs and symptoms do show neurological decline over just the final months of 2024 (all previous tests and reports were negative). Michael was having a really miserable time functioning and it was really hard on him and his family. He has a now 7 month old infant name Bellamy at home. Taking care of him, including holding him has been a real struggle. He also has had a lot of bilateral shoulder, arm, wrist, hand, and finger pain. All of which new symptoms.

It started to become difficult to hold a pen, type on a keyboard, or even hold a bottle. Not all of the time, but intermittently. His work also began requiring an hour to hour and a half commute to work everyday despite medical recommendations from his physicians.

He's also been dealing with a lot of stress and depression from a kitchen remodel we've been working on while also being two full time working parents, challenges with Sam starting a new job, and him dealing with a new team of new hires, especially during tax season. Just the seasons of life.

Michael met with Dr Wissam Asfahani from neurosurgery at Adventhealth Parker hospital on 12/6. He recommended emergent surgery.  The surgery date was 12/17 at 12:30 p.m. check in at 09:30 a.m. at Avent Health Parker hospital in Parker Colorado. He purposes a disc replacement due to Michael's age, health, and prognosis. He was the only one willing to be more conservative and make the attempt.

Michael had his pre-testing on 12/11. Everything came back absolutely perfect and green down all columns. He's very healthy and for the most part as active as he can be given his pain. He doesn't smoke or drink. His tissues and bones are healthy and hydrated. The nurse even made the painful snarky comment, "I can't remember that last time I've seen someone so healthy and wish so much green...We're so used to dealing with old farts." No comforting really.

They gave him all of his instructions. He needs to follow leading up to surgery, including a very strict diet (lots of eggs) other recommendations (multiple showers with hibglems, stopping meds, getting sleep, clean linen and clothing (limiting contact with pets) everyday, Rearranging and cleaning, and some exercise. He followed everything religiously.

Michael and Samantha left Julie Heckman, Michael's Aunt, at around 7: 30. They dropped Bellamy off at her parents house, John and Lavina. Stop for gas in Black Forest. Then they headed up to Parker hospital.

There were considerable issues with insurance, specifically United healthcare, approving the surgery.
He was informed the day before at 3:00 that the pre-authorization was being held up by UHC's artificial intelligence and that his emergency request was still stuck under review. The doctor's office contacted Michael to figure it out. He was under a considerable amount of stress Monday night (against the surgery plan) trying to get somebody to help with zero progress. The department that allegedly does this doesn't take inbound calls and nothing could really be done except to sit and wait the app. I don't need to watch the app. The request was sent on 12/6 with expedite and should have had a decision by 12/9. Then, they argued with him about being not marked urgent even though a previous call revealed it was marked urgent but the robots glitched and a human hadn't reviewed it yet. The next morning after making his first calls at 7:00 a.m. he was able to talk to a couple of supervisors who got the claim approved at 8:30 exactly 1 hour before we were scheduled to be at the hospital.  

Once at the hospital, they mixed up his chart with somebody else who was having shoulder surgery. This breakdown in communication was on multiple levels with multiple nurses even after Michael had specifically stated and confirmed his last name and date of birth at the front desk and when he was called back (he knows how this works) so that he didn't get mixed up with other Michael. It still happened. Then it took them around 20 minutes to get it figured out. Embarrassing and negligent. They Caulked it up as an issue in their "initials" on their charts.

After everything was sorted and nurses were where they supposed to be.. the IV was started they had a lot of issues with sticking him with the IV. Despite having "really good veins" and "being very healthy"  and drinking 48 oz of water. "He has great plump veins...they just aren't cooperating." He's a healthy 30 year old, again, green all down the board. Never once had an issue with IV or blood draw.

This created a considerable amount of pain and I really felt for him. He finally called for a new nurse and asked them to go into the pit of his elbow. "Well, we don't do that here." He had to start be demanding. We haven't even started the surgery yet and you've already scarred me with the patient chart mixup and the IV.

After a few delays, Michael went in at 1:29. He was scheduled for surgery at 12:30. They told us it would likely be around 1:30 then they came in and said it would be likely around 3: 00 with a strong likelihood of an overnight hospital stay. The times kept getting mixed up.

He went into the OR at 1:29. Michael was out of surgery at 5. The surgery could have taken it as early as 45 minutes but was likely to last around an hour and a half, but the doctor budgeted for two hours just in case.

There were also issues in the OR with the IV not working so he was not asleep when he reached the OR as was the original plan. The anesthesiologist had to mess with his IV and change it around a couple times in order to make sure that he was in fact fully asleep. He was poked about nine times total.

He had complications with with the disc replacement. There was a considerable amount of bone to remove from the spinal canal (which Michael already knew because he's been getting other opinions, but doctor don't like to hear what other doctors have to say). Another doctor compared it to that of a small rock being lodged in between your spinal canal and directly pinching your spinal cord. Additionally, the dura was completely attached and/or perforated by the calcification buildup to it leading to a considerable spinal fluid leak. Equally as dangerous. Dr. Assafahani had to move forward with a fusion, and the surgery took longer than expected. They were unable to take out all of the bone but did what they. Asafahani has been operating for 17 years and indicated at the end of it that it was one his more complex cases. He also put this in his operation notes post visit.

Michael is in a considerable amount of pain. The doctor did explain due to the amount of bone that needed to be removed as well as him having to expand that space for a partial collapsed vertebrae for so long In conjunction with the amount of nerve damage and spinal cord leak, Michael would be in above average pain for some time. The nerve pain itself, while it should subside due to age and overall health, he should start to feel the relief from the surgery could take upwards of 6 months. But no guarantees or assurances.Fusions take on average a year to fully solidify, all things in favor the patient. Patients really have to follow their post surgical plan.

They also do not come without their risks and limitations. Assafahani believes that another surgery. may be around the 10-year mark. The research and other surgical opinions say otherwise, but Michael will revisit that in time.

When surgery was completed he was transferred to the anesthesia unit for about a 45 minutes to an hour. He did fine with anesthesia. No issues. No vomiting throwing up. No allergies.

He then got transferred to a room around 6:00.

His visitors were Julie, John, Lavina, and Bellamy. 

They admitted him overnight. He didn't sleep at all during the night due to pain.

The night nursing staff was absolutely terrible and Michael does plan to file complaint. We won't go into those details here but they did a poor job managing his pain and checking in on him and providing the support that he required. 


They also came in to draw more blood and wanted to do another IV. Even after Michael's verbal refusal, they still attempted to do it until another nurse in the room walked in and stopped her. They refused to adjust his bed correctly. Fill his water or give him his medication on time just to name a few. They also argued with him about taking one of his required nightly medications for his clinically diagnosed depression (which he was having a lot of Post surgery).

The doctor checked in on him The following morning 12/18 and spent about 30 min going over anything. Michael, being as informed as he was about the procedure and all of the risks and approaches to the procedure, he had a lot of questions that he felt satisfied and the doctor answering.

Michael was still in some pretty considerable pain through 12/18 but was feeling slightly better and less groggy from the anesthesia. It bumped up his pain medication, but the changes didn't necessarily help. He did not have any visitors.

He has some pretty significant restrictions for 12 weeks. He will need help with anything that is bending, reaching, or twisting related and lifting NOTHING over 10lbs. Food prep, drink prep, dishes, laundry, and helping with care for Bellamy and/or chores around the house.

We usually don't ask for help. We roll with it and then just handle it, but life can get to be touch and we've been burned out before this even happened. This time is very difficult on our family emotionally, financially, and physically... Please do not feel obligated to help. We know everybody else has their own issues going on in life. 

If anything, sometimes just a little company or a phone call is all that is needed.

Michael loves people and tries to do as much as possible for them. He's in a lot of pain. He's very frustrated and depressed. 

Thank you! 

- Samantha

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Michael Mangin

Supporting Michael Mangin Recovery from Emergent Spine Fusion Surgery

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This e-gift card allows access to all Walmart products. Useful for anyone anywhere.
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What To Express in Your Card: You'd do exactly the same. xo

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Olive Garden offers an award-winning wine list and a range of delicious Italian dishes inspired by the Culinary Institute of Tuscany in Italy.

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Olive Garden&reg; - Olive Garden Gift Card

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Brinker International

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Outback Steakhouse, an Australian-inspired casual dining restaurant, starts fresh every day to create the flavors our mates crave.
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Outback Steakhouse - Outback Steakhouse Gift Card

The Darden&reg; Restaurants Gift Card provides 9 distinguished and diverse restaurants on one card.  From Olive Garden's never-ending servings of our freshly baked breadsticks and iconic garden fresh salad to fresh, boldly seasoned and expertly grilled steaks - like the signature bone-in Outlaw Ribeye&reg; at LongHorn Steakhouse, we have one card with all your favorites.    Darden&reg; Restaurants Gift Card can be redeemed at any Olive Garden&reg;, LongHorn Steakhouse&reg;, Yard House&reg;, Ruth's Chris&reg; Steak House, Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen&reg;, The Capital Grille, Seasons 52&reg;, Eddie V's and Bahama Breeze&reg; restaurants in the U.S.  Gift Cards can be redeemed for Online To Go, Catering and Dine-In meals.
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With over 1,500 restaurants in all 50 states, the Darden Gift Card is redeemable at some of the most recognizable brands in full-service dining including Olive Garden®, LongHorn Steakhouse®, Bahama Breeze®, Seasons 52®, Yard House®, and Cheddar&#8217;s® among others.

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Bahama Breeze&reg;

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Bloomin' Brands

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Setting up a food train is one of the best ways to help support someone you love. Here are some tips on how to give groceries as a gift.

How to Give Groceries as a Gift for a Meal Train

How to Give Groceries as a Gift for a Meal Train - Give InKind

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Helping loved ones recover after surgery is difficult. Visit Give InKind for concrete suggestions and a new way to schedule meals and support to those in need of help.

How To Support Loved Ones Post-Op

Post op recovery is difficult. Visit Give InKind for specific suggestions and a new way to schedule meals and assistance in times of need.

Author Pamela Stockwell, photographed by daughter Kiana Stockwell

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Pamela Stockwell

Author Pamela Stockwell shares her experience becoming a living organ donor for a fellow writer, whom she's never even met in-person!

"My Kidney's Going to California!" A Living Organ Donor Story

One year ago this month, in March 2021, my daughter and I drove to South Carolina to see my dad. At one point, she was driving, so I checked Facebook to while away the time and I see that my friend and fellow writer Kelly Hartog had posted a plea for a kidney. I knew [&hellip;]

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