Michael Vincent Lewandowski, age 13, of North Charleston, departed this life at home in the comforting arms of his family on Thursday August 11th 2005 after a courageous 8-year battle with cancer, a battle his love outlasts and his spirit survives. 
Relay For Life
Michael Gets His Birthday Wish—
By Nancy Leininger
For the past five years I have been walking in the Pendleton/Clemson Relay for Life. While cancer has touched the lives of many I know, I dedicate these walks to Michael Lewandowski...
Michael is the son of Clemson grads who went through marriage preparation at St. Andrew’s. Tom and Marybeth were the first couple my husband and I met with working in this ministry. It’s amazing how God brings people together. Tom and Marybeth were married in New York state (our home state) so even though we never attended their wedding, which was on my brother’s birthday, I did remember to send them an anniversary card a year later when I was sending out his birthday card. We have kept in touch ever since—mostly at Christmas, but in recent years more frequently. Imagine the coincidence of their first son, Michael, being born on my husband’s birthday in 1991!
When Michael was in first grade he waged his first war against Neuroblastoma, a rare childhood cancer that affects the nervous system. It seemed to be a victory. It wasn’t until he was in 4th grade that his cancer returned and the roller coaster ride began. His local doctors said Michael would not survive. Michael’s mother said he would. So treatments began along with regular “Michael Updates” via email to family and friends. In the first Relay I walked “in support” of Michael. I remember circling the track being so moved as I read the many luminary bags with tributes to loved ones.
I remember the second Relay when Michael was in remission and I walked “in celebration!” of him. I contacted some other Clemson grads and asked if they would join in my celebration. I wanted to purchase enough luminary bags to spell out Michael’s name one letter at a time in big green letters (his favorite color). He was 10 yrs. old and his bags lined much of the curve of the track at Pendleton High School that year…decorated with pizza, hockey skates, and all that Michael most enjoyed in this world. My prayer that year as I walked was one of thanksgiving. Michael, a gifted student and all-star athlete, was winning his battle. But cancer is tough and he had more battles to fight, more trips to Sloan-Kettering or Philadelphia or to local hospitals, more meds, more tests, more hopes to qualify for new treatments. The Lewandowski’s and their friends were there throughout it all, day and night, weeks into months into years.
His teacher, Miss Lynch shared this story about Michael. “…We made a snack run and I asked [Michael] if he was mad at God for giving him cancer again. Slurping an Icee and snapping into his Slim Jim, he replied “No. God chose me. I’m like that guy in the Bible named Job. God told him if he took everything away from him and he still believed in God, he’d get it all back. I’m like Job, Miss Lynch.” Through his pain, he found joy in those few days of playing hockey with tumors throughout his body. He found laughter to be medicinal and was greatly disappointed when his whoopee cushion didn’t even make the doctor flinch.”
Sometimes you feel helpless against such a powerful disease. I remembered that Marybeth said whenever Michael would return home after treatments his father, brother and friends would shave their heads so that Michael wouldn’t stand out as being different. So I grew my hair and donated it to Locks of Love. It may not seem like much, but I felt like I was doing something. I was impressed to learn that the majority of people who donate hair are children. What a wonderful gift!
This past spring at the Relay I prayed for a miracle for Michael, but God had other plans. On Saturday morning when I arrived home tired and achy, I had the “Michael Update” I had hoped never to receive… Michael was being sent home on pain meds with no return appointment. Even so, Michael was able to attend the 8th grade prom with a top hat and cane, but no crutches. He was able to attend camp for one last time in July, but God was preparing a place for him and calling him home. Michael passed away on August 11, 2005, my birthday and just 2 days shy of his 14th birthday. I was in Boston this summer when I got the news and was relieved to know I would be able to make it back in time to attend his funeral in Charleston. I needed to see Marybeth after all these years of emails. I needed to hug her tightly and tell her how much her son’s life had impacted me and others.
In the foyer outside the Church was a wonderful tribute to Michael. It was full of memorabilia from school years, sports, camps, etc. Michael was all boy. I asked his dad if he thought Michael was “holding on” for his birthday, and he said “NO! All Michael wanted was to be in heaven for his birthday. He had no doubt that he was going to heaven and that’s where he wanted to be.” I felt a great sense of relief in hearing this… knowing that Michael was not defeated, but that he got his birthday wish.
As St. Andrew’s Women prepare for the 2006 Relay for Life I think I’m going to have frost a few more cookies with green frosting this year for our fundraising in honor of Michael. And, I’ll admit that I’m a little worried about walking “in memory” of Michael for the first time. I hope he’ll be there walking with me, more like running circles around me, reminding me of how precious each moment is and not to ever take a single one for granted. Not to wait for another time to do something. Not to overlook the simple pleasures in life. Michael lived each day without regret. He loved God, his family, his favorite teacher, and his friends. He was smart and talented. Michael showed strength and wisdom beyond his years. God had a plan for Michael’s life. He brought communities together to rally for a cause. He knew his mother was his hero and wrote her a poem to tell her so. He showed his friends how to win against all odds. And through it all he remained faithful to God and His plan.
I have always been moved by the symbolism of the Relay for Life…We walk through the night because this disease does not rest…We walk in a circle because there is no end until there is a cure. You can join in this fight against cancer. Support the St. Andrew’s Women’s Relay Team with your prayers and donations. Join us to decorate cookies, or join us in the Relay at Pendleton High School on May 5 at 7 p.m. to May 6 at 7 a.m.
By Nancy Leininger
For the past five years I have been walking in the Pendleton/Clemson Relay for Life. While cancer has touched the lives of many I know, I dedicate these walks to Michael Lewandowski...
Michael is the son of Clemson grads who went through marriage preparation at St. Andrew’s. Tom and Marybeth were the first couple my husband and I met with working in this ministry. It’s amazing how God brings people together. Tom and Marybeth were married in New York state (our home state) so even though we never attended their wedding, which was on my brother’s birthday, I did remember to send them an anniversary card a year later when I was sending out his birthday card. We have kept in touch ever since—mostly at Christmas, but in recent years more frequently. Imagine the coincidence of their first son, Michael, being born on my husband’s birthday in 1991!
When Michael was in first grade he waged his first war against Neuroblastoma, a rare childhood cancer that affects the nervous system. It seemed to be a victory. It wasn’t until he was in 4th grade that his cancer returned and the roller coaster ride began. His local doctors said Michael would not survive. Michael’s mother said he would. So treatments began along with regular “Michael Updates” via email to family and friends. In the first Relay I walked “in support” of Michael. I remember circling the track being so moved as I read the many luminary bags with tributes to loved ones.
I remember the second Relay when Michael was in remission and I walked “in celebration!” of him. I contacted some other Clemson grads and asked if they would join in my celebration. I wanted to purchase enough luminary bags to spell out Michael’s name one letter at a time in big green letters (his favorite color). He was 10 yrs. old and his bags lined much of the curve of the track at Pendleton High School that year…decorated with pizza, hockey skates, and all that Michael most enjoyed in this world. My prayer that year as I walked was one of thanksgiving. Michael, a gifted student and all-star athlete, was winning his battle. But cancer is tough and he had more battles to fight, more trips to Sloan-Kettering or Philadelphia or to local hospitals, more meds, more tests, more hopes to qualify for new treatments. The Lewandowski’s and their friends were there throughout it all, day and night, weeks into months into years.
His teacher, Miss Lynch shared this story about Michael. “…We made a snack run and I asked [Michael] if he was mad at God for giving him cancer again. Slurping an Icee and snapping into his Slim Jim, he replied “No. God chose me. I’m like that guy in the Bible named Job. God told him if he took everything away from him and he still believed in God, he’d get it all back. I’m like Job, Miss Lynch.” Through his pain, he found joy in those few days of playing hockey with tumors throughout his body. He found laughter to be medicinal and was greatly disappointed when his whoopee cushion didn’t even make the doctor flinch.”
Sometimes you feel helpless against such a powerful disease. I remembered that Marybeth said whenever Michael would return home after treatments his father, brother and friends would shave their heads so that Michael wouldn’t stand out as being different. So I grew my hair and donated it to Locks of Love. It may not seem like much, but I felt like I was doing something. I was impressed to learn that the majority of people who donate hair are children. What a wonderful gift!
This past spring at the Relay I prayed for a miracle for Michael, but God had other plans. On Saturday morning when I arrived home tired and achy, I had the “Michael Update” I had hoped never to receive… Michael was being sent home on pain meds with no return appointment. Even so, Michael was able to attend the 8th grade prom with a top hat and cane, but no crutches. He was able to attend camp for one last time in July, but God was preparing a place for him and calling him home. Michael passed away on August 11, 2005, my birthday and just 2 days shy of his 14th birthday. I was in Boston this summer when I got the news and was relieved to know I would be able to make it back in time to attend his funeral in Charleston. I needed to see Marybeth after all these years of emails. I needed to hug her tightly and tell her how much her son’s life had impacted me and others.
In the foyer outside the Church was a wonderful tribute to Michael. It was full of memorabilia from school years, sports, camps, etc. Michael was all boy. I asked his dad if he thought Michael was “holding on” for his birthday, and he said “NO! All Michael wanted was to be in heaven for his birthday. He had no doubt that he was going to heaven and that’s where he wanted to be.” I felt a great sense of relief in hearing this… knowing that Michael was not defeated, but that he got his birthday wish.
As St. Andrew’s Women prepare for the 2006 Relay for Life I think I’m going to have frost a few more cookies with green frosting this year for our fundraising in honor of Michael. And, I’ll admit that I’m a little worried about walking “in memory” of Michael for the first time. I hope he’ll be there walking with me, more like running circles around me, reminding me of how precious each moment is and not to ever take a single one for granted. Not to wait for another time to do something. Not to overlook the simple pleasures in life. Michael lived each day without regret. He loved God, his family, his favorite teacher, and his friends. He was smart and talented. Michael showed strength and wisdom beyond his years. God had a plan for Michael’s life. He brought communities together to rally for a cause. He knew his mother was his hero and wrote her a poem to tell her so. He showed his friends how to win against all odds. And through it all he remained faithful to God and His plan.
I have always been moved by the symbolism of the Relay for Life…We walk through the night because this disease does not rest…We walk in a circle because there is no end until there is a cure. You can join in this fight against cancer. Support the St. Andrew’s Women’s Relay Team with your prayers and donations. Join us to decorate cookies, or join us in the Relay at Pendleton High School on May 5 at 7 p.m. to May 6 at 7 a.m.
posted by Gene Smith | 5:48 PM
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