It's no longer someone else

One of the main purposes of this blog is to talk about causes.  And for more than a decade now I and my many colleagues at Barkley have been involved in helping to raise awareness and money for many causes, but most especially cancer.  It was always something that happened to other people, although some people very close to me over the years have been diagnosed.  My friend, Jenné, for example who has written about her experience with great eloquence and candor.

This week, it hit home.  My wife, Char, found out a couple of weeks ago that she had a mass in her colon that needed to be removed.  Over the past two weeks, all of us supporting Char have had a crash course in what it is like to find out about having cancer.  Her surgery was Monday and they successfully removed the mass and some lymph nodes.  On Friday, we heard the news.  The mass was indeed cancer.  And two of the thirteen lymph nodes had cancer as well.  Char is in what is now referred to as Stage 3A.  It is as good a prognosis as we could have heard short of being told that she did not have cancer.  What she is diagnosed with is now 84% curable.  That's huge and we are moving ahead with positive thoughts.

The same day we found this out, we also found out that my sister has a mass in her colon and will require surgery.  She is on the same path that Char has been on for the past two weeks so at least we know where we might be headed.

I don't know today how much I will write about this.  But it is likely I will from time to time.  It is now a part of the everyday landscape with two of the most important women in my life fighting through the same situation.

The first lesson learned is this.  Both Char and my sister, Debbie, found out about their tumors because they had a colonoscopy.  If you are closing in on 50 years of age, have one today.  If you are over 50 and have never had one, get a colonoscopy right away.  Without it, both my wife and my sister would be walking around today not knowing they had a problem.

We have to manage our own health.  No one will do it for us.

Comments

[Swede Swenson]

We will and must keep these positive thoughts going. Thanks for writing all of this in your Blog. Mike, you are a credit to our Society. Love Dad

[Nedra Weinreich]

Thanks for sharing this difficult news and spreading the word about the importance of colonoscopy. May your wife and sister heal quickly and return to full health soon, and may your family be strengthened by this challenging experience.

[Paul]

I'm glad to hear Char is on the path to recovery. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Paul

[Andrea Weckerle]

My thoughts are with you and your family. Keep up the good fight.

[David Johnston]

I'll be thinking of you and your family on LIVESTRONG day - Wed. May 16th, 2007 - and everyday as you tackle this together.

[Joe]

Best wishes, Mike. Speedy recovery to your wife.

Joe