Plain Local community rallies around student fighting cancer

Morgan Michel
·4 min read
Blake Michel, who is undergoing treatment for cancer, hugs Plain Local Schools teacher Alexandra Cale who has supported her student through the process.
Blake Michel, who is undergoing treatment for cancer, hugs Plain Local Schools teacher Alexandra Cale who has supported her student through the process.

Normally when you think about your life changing, it's for the good, right? Well what happens when it's for the bad?

You rally.

Things were finally coming together for our family. Our kids, Ryleigh, 9 and Blake, 7, were both thriving in school. I just landed my dream job as a secretary at GlenOak High School. My husband, Jacob was also newly hired as one of the JV baseball coaches for the GlenOak Golden Eagles, with this being his eighth year coaching high school baseball.

We really started to establish ourselves in the Plain Township community.

Little did we know our worlds were about to be flipped upside down.

In September 2021, Plain Local Schools administered their routine hearing tests. Blake failed. They came back in October and tested him a second time. Blake failed. We were referred to the Stark County audiologist.

In mid-November, he had a third test. Blake yet again failed.

More: Commentary: How to address Ohio's teacher shortage

Blake Michel rings the bell at his last radiation treatment at University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children's in Cleveland. He completed 28 treatments. He is shown with his mom Morgan Michel, left, sister Ryleigh Michel and dad Jacob Michel.
Blake Michel rings the bell at his last radiation treatment at University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children's in Cleveland. He completed 28 treatments. He is shown with his mom Morgan Michel, left, sister Ryleigh Michel and dad Jacob Michel.

All concept of time was gone.

At this point, it was recommended that we follow up with our family physician. The following week, we got him into the doctor on Tuesday. His doctor stated he had a severe ear infection in his right ear and put him on antibiotics.

That Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, I noticed Blake had lost all function in the right side of his face. Think stroke. His smile was crooked, and he couldn't close his right eye. My first thought was maybe it's a reaction to the antibiotics.

Off to the emergency room we went where Blake got a CT Scan. We were told we would get results in 45 minutes. Four hours later, the ER doctor asked my husband and I to follow him. He sat us down in a small room and told us they found a tumor on the right side of his skull obstructing his ear canal.

From there, all concept of time was gone. We were admitted immediately. The next day Blake got an MRI and on Nov. 29, 2021, after a biopsy of the tumor, our worst fears were confirmed. Cancer. Blake was diagnosed Stage 3, intermediate, rhabdomyosarcoma. A soft tissue bone cancer.

Blake will undergo at least one year of treatments. Thus far, he has completed 33 chemotherapy treatments and 28 proton radiation treatments.

The Plain Local Schools community is rallying around student Blake Michel who is battling rhabdomyosarcom.
The Plain Local Schools community is rallying around student Blake Michel who is battling rhabdomyosarcom.

What happens when your life changes for the bad? You rally.

Now remember when I asked "What happens when your life changes for the bad?"

You rally.

I want to acknowledge Plain Local Schools. Ever since we got Blake's diagnosis, the amount of support we have received from our school district has been nothing short of amazing. I, unfortunately, had to resign from my contract position at GlenOak.

In the three months that I worked in the main office, I developed some great working relationships with my colleagues. The staff came together and generously donated a variety of gift cards to our family. The GlenOak Baseball team and other surrounding teams in the Federal league, including Lake, and McKinley were able to provide an overwhelming amount of Christmas presents for both Blake and Ryleigh to which their excitement we will remember forever.

We are so thankful for the love and support we have received by our employers.

Plain Local Schools student Blake Michel is battling rhabdomyosarcom. The school community has rallied around the Michel family.
Plain Local Schools student Blake Michel is battling rhabdomyosarcom. The school community has rallied around the Michel family.

She is much more than Blake's teacher at this point. We consider her family.

I am very excited to talk about Barr Elementary and specifically Alexandra Caley, Blake's first grade teacher. SHE IS INCREDIBLE!

She has gone above and beyond since we received Blake's diagnosis. Blake has only attended roughly 15 days of school since Nov. 21, 2021. Miss Caley has ensured Blake's involvement in class daily by sending him updates and pictures.

For each day of school Blake misses, he requires one hour of "home instruction." Every Tuesday and Wednesday, Miss Caley has graciously sacrificed her personal time and stays after school hours to teach Blake one on one.

Miss Caley has willingly taken her lunch break or planning period to squeeze in a lesson over a Zoom call. She even had a Build-A-Bear made for Blake. When you press its hand, you hear the entire class saying "We love you Blake!"

Miss Caley has been such a positive light in this journey and Blake adores her so much! She is much more than Blake's teacher at this point. We consider her family.

I also want to recognize Stephanie Seccombe, Barr Elementary school counselor. She has been such an amazing influence and listening ear every single day for my daughter Ryleigh during this difficult time.

I would also like to thank the Holly Hills Little League Baseball program. They have donated their fields for a Home Run Derby Benefit that is being held on Aug.13. If you would like more information or to follow Blake's battle with cancer you can follow his Instagram page blakes__battle06.

We sincerely thank the Plain Local Community for all of your ongoing love and support.

Thank you for rallying around us and more importantly Blake.

Morgan Michel is the mother of Blake Michel.

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Plain Local Schools supporting Blake Michel who's battling cancer