Monday, August 30, 2010

Good Fortune In Bad Times

Hello everyone, I trust all had a great weekend.  A big thank you to all the Nashvillians who made the trip down to ATL to hang.  It is hard to believe that football starts this Thursday night with South Carolina vs Southern Miss.  I think DVR was invented for all those SoCar fans that can't watch "The Office' because they try to lead the league in Thursday night games (the only thing they can finish first in).

As I mentioned in the last post, this week starts slow from a medical standpoint, but one that is sure to end with a bang.  I get my chemo schedule on Thursday afternoon, and I just have this sneaky suspicion that they will inform me that I am to start treatment on Saturday.  I almost welcome it though, because the first day of college football is one of my favorite days of the year.  If I should start on Saturday then my favorite day will also coincide with the day that I begin the greatest test of my life, so it will be one I will remember for the rest of my life.

When I think about my current predicament, some would think that it would be easy to become angry and resentful at the hand God dealt me.  To be honest though, there are many things that could have made this situation unbearable for both me and my family.  For one, I am so thankful to work for a great company that has an amazing health insurance plan.  I have heard a number of cancer stories involving patients who were in between insurance plans and literally had to beg hospitals to take them as a charity case.  I simply couldn't imagine having to try and figure out where to get treatment and how to pay for it on top of coping with everything else that accompanies this disease.  Another thing I'm thankful for is the fact that I happened to take a job close to my family and friends.  As I was finishing up business school, I was looking at jobs all across the country, and I just couldn't imagine how lonely this experience would have been to deal with in St. Louis or someplace like that.  Not only would that have been tough on me, but also difficult for my parents who instead of being a 1.5 hour drive away, would have been a 2 hour flight.  

In both these cases the key event was when I obtained a job offer from The Home Depot back in April.  I knew it would be a great opportunity for my career, but I had no idea it would be one that might just save my life.  It is so weird to think about how one event can cause such a ripple effect.


Michael

6 comments:

  1. Son,

    I second that. It would ahve been pretty tough on your mother and me if you were a long way away. Just little things like the doctors meetings - I can not imagine setting by the phone waiting to hear what the doctors have to say.

    And thank goodness for Home Depot, their health care program, and their supportive attitude. Your decision to join them has been one of the best in your life!

    We are going to beat this!!!

    Max

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  2. The closer you get to the start of your treatment the stronger you sound. I would have expected nothing less. You're tough and you will prevail.

    Look at it this way. Your beloved Rangers were big undergogs going into the season and they're beating the odds. My beloved Redlegs were big underdogs going into the season and they're beatig the odds. Now it's your turns. You'll beat the odds and be just fine!

    Uncle Dave

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  3. You know, your Uncle is so RIGHT! Just the other day, when I heard in passing that the Rangers were having a decent season (you know I don't follow baseball!), I started thinking: the Rangers and their most loyal fan (you) are both demonstrating, almost simultaneously, that adversity can be overcome with some fight. Keep up the fight -- I'm thinking about you :)

    --Maridi

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  4. Michael,
    I wanted to let you know that I am thinking and praying for you. I talked to Kaitlin last week and she forwarded me the info about your blog. I am going to follow along with you. Know that I am praying for you and your whole family. I know that this is a very trying time, but I know that for some reason this is all in God's plan. I have seen the Lord work in amazing ways and I know that he is watching over you and your entire family. Your blog is truly inspiring and I know that everyone that reads it is learning valuable lessons each time they read it. Please let me know if there is anything I can do or any specific prayer requests.
    Love,
    Jennifer Simko

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  5. Thank you so much Dave and Dad.. I wish yall were this supportive on the golf course! Kidding, but seriously, yall have been such great rocks for me to lean upon.

    Jennifer,

    It is great to hear from you! I hope you are doing well, and I am thankful to know you are thinking and praying for me. It means the world!

    Maridi, Thanks for posting! I am impressed you remember that I am a big Rangers fan, this is the year I tell you! Thank you so much for all you've done and the support you've shown.

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  6. How much is Home Depot paying you for this plug? They should start a campaign: "How The Home Depot Saved My Life". I would say you should be the spokesperson, but we all know you are terribly shy in front of the camera.

    Your Precious Sister

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