Mike Boyd (Age 45) Husband of Charlotte Boyd, Medical Leave of Absence
In March of 2005, Mike was diagnosed very large and rare brain tumor.  Mike was hospitalized from April 4th to May 12, 2005.  During this time, they removed 60-70% of the tumor and it was confirmed that the tumor was malignant.  This was a very serious surgery.  The tumor had been sitting on the optic nerve.  Dr. Culicchi had said it would be like removing wet toilet paper from his brain.  Mike lost his sight totally.  We have been to an optomologist and neuro optomologist with no luck. Mike was in and out of the emergency room until October of 2005.  His family doctor told me in October to take him home and keep him comfortable.  He gave Mike no chance of survival.  He spent a week at W. Jefferson Hospital the week of hurricane Katrina.  They thought his tumor was growing or his shunt was leaking.  Now, here we are one year later and not a lot has changed.  Mike spends most of his days sitting in his recliner.  If he goes outside for longer than 30 minutes he is exhausted.  We survived for five months with no income and had to file Chapter 7.  If it wasn’t for God, family and friends we would have been homeless.  Mike requires care 24/7 so my mother stays with him while I work part time.