If it’s felt like something has been missing from Kotaku for the last month, that’s because someone wonderful has been away. As many of you have noticed and inquired about, our beloved colleague, senior writer, and Hatsune Miku aficionado Mike Fahey has not been writing for the site he’s called home for the last dozen years. He’s been out – and will continue to be out – for medical reasons. He recently gave me his blessing to let you know where things are at.
In the early afternoon on Thursday, March 22, Mike began to feel unwell. He was in the midst of preparing a Sea of Thieves review, batting around some other ideas, and was just a week removed from publishing one of my favourite posts he’s written for the site, an account of his final visit to his local Toys R Us with one of his sons.
While many of us work out of an office in New York City, Mike has long operated from his home in Georgia, which you see glimpses of in his videos about snacks, toys and other Mike stuff. As we learned later, something felt amiss with his legs, and he called 911. By that evening, Mike was in the hospital undergoing emergency surgery for an aortic dissection. It’s an extremely serious and dangerous condition and we’re all lucky that Mike was able to get into good hands swiftly.
Recovery from a surgery like the one Mike had is very slow. For two weeks, doctors used drugs to keep him asleep. They have let him wake up since then, and, these days, he spends his time in his hospital bed watching Cartoon Network and befriending his nurses. Mike can’t speak yet due to the treatment he is receiving, but they can read his lips.
I’ve missed Mike greatly this past month. We all have. And I’ve been blown away by the strength of his wife, Emily, who has worked hard to support him and their two sons. Regular readers may remember the twins from their numerous cameos in Mike’s videos.
During this difficult time, Mike and Emily have not asked for anything. But a family friend recently started a fundraising campaign to help. As a staffer here, Mike has insurance, but every little bit of extra support can help. If you’re interested, you can give here.
You never know when life will take a sudden turn, when that friend and co-worker and writer whose voice you hear each day, whose articles you read every several hours, is suddenly laid up in a bed hooked up to machines. You never know the detours life will bring nor the length of the road you must travel to get back home. I yearn for the day we see Mike writing again for the site, holding forth on the latest MMO, explaining the newest Lego, and rattling off the virtues of an obscure, classic JRPG. I hope even more for the day he’s back home with his boys, figuring out what to play on the Xbox.
Earlier this year, Mike and I talked about his hopes for what he’d do on Kotaku in 2018. We were in the early stages of brainstorming a new video show, tentatively scheduling his annual visit to NYC, and we were tinkering with some other plans, too. All of that is on pause now as we focus on the more basic parts of life: supporting a friend — a member of the Kotaku family, really (eccentric uncle? older cousin with all the best toys?) — and wishing him and his family the very best. I hope you’ll join me in cheering Mike on. You can do so below. Experienced online writer that he is, Mike reads the comments.
Comments
29 responses to “An Update On Mike Fahey And His Road To Recovery”
Well, I hope he gets better soon.
Maybe it’s time to retire “Snacktaku” though, huh?
Id love to see it stay. But have the aussie writers do it with australian food.
people will probably pile on you for insensitive timing, but you’re right. Mike’s probably gonna have a diet plan in place by his doctors and will have to stick to it if he wants to see his kids grow up.
That said, there’s nothing wrong with Snacktaku in moderation, or maybe Gizmodo can bring back and tie them with fitness tech/gadet articles which seem to have disappeared since Campbell left.
Yeah well, he’s a big guy and Snacktaku was more often than not gross or just unhealthy “food”.
It would be hyperbolic to say it was literally killing him, but it would be insanity to claim any of it did him any good.
We’ve done local takes occasionally – the blue burger comes to mind (actually, that’s gonna be hard to forget). Fitness tech hasn’t been forgotten either, but Tegan only just joined Giz a few weeks back and it’s right in the middle of new TV season. Sit tight!
Mike, best wishes, I always love your articles and hope to see you well and posting again soon. Good luck man!
All the best Mike, get well soon
Get well soon Mike, that’s a pretty scary happening! And it’ll make a hell of a tale to tell 🙂
Wishing you a safe, swift recovery Mike!
Best wishes Mike, am praying for your speedy recovery.
Get well soon Mike 🙂
That’s awful. Mike, if you’re reading this, I hope you feel better.
Get well soon, Mike!
Wow, dude is pretty lucky to survive an aortic dissection, lucky they caught it quickly. Hope he has a speedy recovery!
Just created an account to say, all the best Mike, get well soon mate!
Damn that rough, get better soon mate.
Hope you get better soon mate ????????
Get well soon mate
Get well soon mate
This was incredibly sweet to see everyone’s messages of support.
Thanks.
Whoa. Wishing you a swift recovery, Mike.
Get well soon Mike!
Wishing you a speedy and full recovery mate so you’re back to chasing those kids around!!
All the very best mate.
I always enjoy Mikes articles and I have definitely missed them recently. Hope his recovery goes well.
I’m a long time fan of the site and Mike’s work. I finally created an account to wish Mike all the best.
Mike – I wish you a strong, speedy recovery mate!
Wishing you all the best on a speedy recovery Mike, take care
His absence was definitely noticed. It’s great to see he’s getting so much support.
Hope he’s back in the saddle soon!
Always enjoy Mike’s articles. Been missing reading them. Hope you pull through okay mate, can’t wait to read the I’m back article that’s surely coming in the future!
Best wishes from Oz, Mike!
Mike’s articles are great. Sending the best regards for a speedy recovery from down under.
I was wondering where Fahey went.
Rest up, recover, and then get back to winning at life, Mike! Miss your presence (but not Snacktaku! It’s time to retire it!).
Wow i was completely unaware, Mike has some of the best articles on the site. i hope he gets better soon!
I vote for older cousin with all the best toys.
Get well soon Mike!