I am a fighter. I have had to overcome quite a lot during my short 18 years of life. I was born with a single ventricle heart, which means I basically have only half of a heart. Then in the summer of 2016, I was diagnosed with Burkitt’s Lymphoma. This diagnosis came after years of treatment for autoimmune issues for which I had to receive weekly infusions of immunoglobulins. I have spent much of my life in a hospital for my heart, my autoimmune problems and then for the cancer.
When I was born, the doctors only gave me a fifty percent chance to make it through the first surgery to repair my heart. I had to undergo three more heart surgeries as I got older to correct the flow of blood, since I only have one pumping chamber. The technique that was used on me was new, but it gave me the chance to live without needing a heart transplant by the time I am twenty years old. The procedure worked well for me, however, because I was the only successful patient, the procedure is no longer done on children with single ventricle hearts.
When I was four years old, my immune system turned on me. It started attacking my own blood cells instead of viruses and infections. I would have very low red blood cell, white blood cell and platelets all at the same time. It would just happen with no kind of warning. One day I went to school and by lunch my whole body was yellow. I was admitted to Arnold Palmer Hospital for treatment every couple of months. The doctors finally put me on a medicine to lower my immune system so it couldn’t make antibodies to anything. That was the only way to keep my cell counts up. That caused a problem, because now my immune system couldn’t fight off anything. That led to weekly infusions of immunoglobulins to help.
In the summer of 2016, I was diagnosed with Burkitt’s Lymphoma. I couldn’t believe it. I already had too many medical issues for any 16 year old boy, and now I had cancer. How could this happen? Why me? I have already overcome so much, now I have to fight cancer. That summer I had to go through sixteen weeks of chemotherapy. It continued into the beginning of my junior year of high school. I didn’t have any hair, so the school gave me a pass to wear a hat.
The doctors decided that a bone marrow transplant was the best option to keep the cancer from coming back and to fix my immune system issues. I needed a match for the transplant, but none of my family were that match. An anonymous match was found through the Be The Match Program. I was admitted to Florida Hospital for Children on November 7, 2016. I had ten days of high dose chemo to kill off my own immune system before the transplant on November 17, 2016. That was the scariest part. My immune system was being killed and I was depending on someone I didn’t even know to save my life with their donation. It was a relief to hear that the cells were in the building that morning.
The next twelve weeks I spent in the transplant unit of the hospital. It is not a time I like to think about. There were complications and organ failures. It did not look good, but like I said, I am a fighter. I made it through all of the horrible side effects and complications from the transplant. I was able to finish my junior and senior years of high school with a hospital homebound teacher. I didn’t get to attend school, but I still kept up and graduated on time with my 2018 class. It has been a fight for my whole life.
November of 2018 Michael got a cold. He went to the doctor and they found he had Epstein Barr Virus. This is difficult to fight off with a good immune system, so for Michael it became unmanageable. It caused lymphoma to return and invade his entire lymph system. He began treatments as an outpatient, then was hospitalized on February 1, 2019. He spent the next 11 weeks fighting. He never gave up, but nothing was working to rid the virus.
On April 20, 2019 Kevin and I told Michael it was okay to rest and stop the fight. He had been through so much and was so tired. I had been given a book with daily devotions by a chaplain. I read these to Michael every day. On that day the devotion was perfect. “Do Not Be Afraid, for I am with you. Hear Me saying, “Peace, be still,” to your restless heart. No matter what happens, I will never leave you or forsake you. Let this assurance soak into your mind and heart until you overflow with Joy. Though the earth give way and mountains fall into the heart of the sea, you need not fear!”
We had Michael for 19 years. There was a time that could have only been 4 days. In those 19 years, Michael had a full life. We did everything we could for him from the day he was born. He loved fishing, his dirt bikes, his 4×4 truck, his guns, hanging with his buddies, wake boarding, his boat, and all the camping trips we would take every year. He loved us so much, and we love him still.
Michael W. Burdick, 19, of Tavares, Florida passed away on April 20, 2019. Mr. Burdick was born on April 07, 2000 in Orlando, Florida. He is survived by his loving parents Kevin and Michelle Burdick; sibling Matthew Burdick; maternal grandparents Gail and Skip Artman; paternal grandparents Gloria and Wayne Burdick; maternal great grandmother Joyce Jackson; aunts and uncles Bobby Artman, Rex Burdick, Lori Vergos and Pam Stricklin; best friend Tyler “Chevy” Romeyn; and beloved K9 companion Bella. Mr. Burdick will be dearly missed by his many loved ones and friends.
Service
Visitation
Astatula Baptist Church
13239 Florida Ave, Astatula, FL 34705
10:00am - 12:00pm
Service
Astatula Baptist Church
13239 Florida Ave, Astatula, FL 34705
12:00pm
Sara farmer says
The Farmer family are praying for you and your family. May God wrap his arms of love and comfort you all in this most difficult time. Harold/ Sara Farmer
Lori Vergos says
Michael we will miss your sweet smile and laugh, you are such a great part of our family. The way you fought for your health was admirable and you did it with such grace. You never complained with all you had to endure. We love you ❤️ and will miss you until we meet again.
Aunt Lori
Mitch Mells says
Kevin i am so sorry for your losing Michael, there are no words
Mary Brockmeyer says
Praying for peace and comfort for your family during this difficult time ❤
Jerry Scantlin says
We have been praying for Michael and for you for a while since the prayer request was shared at Astatula Baptist Church. Our hearts ache for you as you grieve, but we are happy for Michael as he is with Jesus now. I will continue to pray for you in the coming days and weeks. God bless your family.
Shelby O says
He was an amazing musician, bandmate, and friend..
I am with a heavy heart to see him gone, but he is with the Lord and I know the Lord is blessed to have him.
May he live on and rest in peace.
I will pray for you all through this difficult time.
Cindy and Jim Sims on Oak Drive says
To the Family of Michael Burdick. We are broken hearted for all of you and so sorry to hear of Michaels passing. He was a fighter for sure. There are no words that can describe your sorrow at this time so all we can say is we are very sorry and you are in our prayers.
Michelle Williams says
What an incredible story of a brave and courageous young man. My deepest Condolences to the entire Burdick Family, hoping you will find peace knowing his pain is finally over.
Michelle Dishman
Gloria Burdick says
Michael we love you and will miss you, until we meet again in a wonderful place.We are so proud of your accomplishments in your 19 years of life.You are in our hearts forever.????Love Papa & Ninnie
Jonathan Morgan says
My wife and I are praying for you all. We thank God for Michael’s faith in Jesus Christ and his incredible courage. What an inspiration.
Deborah and Jimmie Wilcoxon says
Prayers are with all of you he was a terrific young man God bless you all
John Bowers says
Hi Michelle, while my heart goes out to you, Kevin, and Mathew for your loss, I will always remember Monday’s, talking about what our families did over the weekends. You guys always had the best family fun, motorcycling in the woods, all the great camping trips, fishing, and just spending time together as a family should. Michael was so lucky to have family( including princess Bella ) that loved him so deeply. I also know how fortunate you were to have him for as long as you did. I believe if he could say something to you guys now, he would tell you how much he loves you, and that he’s in heaven with the lord and with loved ones and is free of anymore pain. He was one tough young man that so many will miss. God bless; love you guys. John and Donna Bowers.
Joseph Gurinsky says
I’m sorry for you and your family, Michelle. My deepest condolences.
Gail Artman says
Michael,
We will always love you and forever miss you.
Love, Nana & Papa
Victoria Warnet says
Michael was one of the kindest, smartest, and funniest kids I ever had the pleasure of teaching. He always came in with a big smile on his face and was always making those around him laugh. He will be missed so so much. Marques Rudd, Sammy Maxwell, and I are planning on having dinner together to have a mini celebration of life up here in Tallahassee in his honor. We are thinking of you and praying for you in this difficult difficult time.