Mike Wilson
On Thanksgiving 2004, Mike should have been focused on turkey and
football. Instead, he was preoccupied with the previous day's news that
he had been diagnosed with stage I testicular cancer. Though the
diagnosis came as a shock, Mike was quick to accept his condition and
take action to combat it. The day after Thanksgiving he went in for
surgery and, two weeks later, began radiation therapy.
While
Mike's cancer was detected early enough to evade chemotherapy, he was
still subject to the discomfort and fatigue that accompany surgery and
radiation. Though he could have easily taken time off from work to
befriend his couch, Mike was not about to let his disease get the best
of him. With the help of family and friends, Mike continued to work and
strove to keep a positive outlook throughout the duration of his
treatment. According to Mike, if he began to feel down, he would force
himself to remember that there would always be someone who was worse
off, and that he should be thankful his discomfort was relatively
minimal. It was only after an unfortunate experience with Chinese food
(as a public service, Mike would like to advise those going through
radiation to avoid anything made by General Tso) that Mike allowed
himself some (much needed) downtime.
Now a two-year cancer
survivor, Mike continues to value each day. After witnessing his
mother's battle with breast cancer and enduring his own experience with
testicular cancer, Mike has a new appreciation for life that has
enabled him to put stressful situations in perspective, and enjoy each
moment to the fullest.
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