Mike was a fellow coworker at HP and we became friends over board games and working out. He eventually convinced me to train for a triathlon in which I kicked his butt to his disdain (Mike is highly competitive). Little did I know our friendship would grow to an undesirable kinship. My first cancer scare was in December of 2010. We seemed to catch it early and didn't see it again for nearly two years. Mike was supportive at the time but neither of us knew that he would be joining ranks in the fight for your life against cancer. I distinctly remembering hearing the news of Mike's crazy trip to a Chinese hospital in the middle of the night and later the news of his prognosis, 16 months. I wept and cursed and was confused. Mike had just completed his first Iron Man less than a year before this so how in the hell does a non-smoker have stage 4 lung cancer?! Mike, an optimist to a fault, looked at this challenge straight in the face and said "Life is Good". I had a surprise awaiting me as well that fall, stage 4 bladder cancer, fuck. So Mike and I became chemo buddies. Sharing our horror stories of Cisplatin but also supporting each other through it all. We were able to empathize with the struggle, the emotions, the fears, and the hope. I'd like to think we both gained some clarity as well and tried to focus on what was important in our lives.
Between Mike's treatments he set out to do the things he loved in life. Hell I think his last two years on this rock were some of his best. Scuba diving in the Galapagos, traveling through Italy, continuing and improving his artwork, things people take a lifetime to do. He took those 16 months and stretched them out to 2+ years filled with family and friends and adventure.
I said earlier he finished his battle because I do not believe he lost. He may not have defeated cancer but it did not defeat him. Leave it to Mike to push a draw when the odds are stacked against him.
On top of Silver Star Mountain, January 2014
Sorry to hear about your friend Phil. We are praying hard for you man, every day and especially on Sundays, I always pray to God for your well being, you're always on our prayers. It's all I know to do, I hope it helps. This won't be you, I believe. Positive thoughts, and as always, let us know if there's anything else besides praying we can do.
ReplyDeletePS. As fall comes, let us know when we can try some of your seasonal beer!
Beautiful words, Phil
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