I just left Dr. Alappan’s office and got the results of the very extensive testing that was done on Strainer. I have spent a lot of time in doctor’s offices over the last 11 months and I’ve been told quite a bit of bad news. I was told that I had cancer and that I would need surgery. I had that surgery ten days later and Jill was summoned out in the waiting room and was told that the cancer had spread beyond my kidney and that they would need to spend another several hours making sure that all the lymph nodes that should be removed were removed and that a clear, cancer-free field was left inside of me. I got more bad news after the surgery with drain tubes that had to be left inside me because the lymph fluid that was draining out of me wasn’t diminishing as quickly as it should. I never shed a single tear in front of a physician โ until today. The good news that I got today was the news we were hoping for. Cancer is a scary thing, but I have made my peace with cancer. What I have been terrified of facing was CKD, chronic kidney disease. The real possibility of having a chronic condition that would rob me of my strength and vitality and might cause me to have to submit to dialysis or even worse, a kidney transplant, is almost more than I have been able to stand. Despite the difficulties of a small business in these rough economic waters and despite the trials and tribulations of rearing 4 sons and despite the fact that I am a cancer survivor, we have a beautiful life. We are blessed with wonderful sons, thousands of friends, a warm, loving church family, incredible office mates and a good home. There was a chance that the news I got today could take some of that away from us.
This visit to the doctor today was, oddly enough, the one I was most worried about. When Raj told me the good news, that ALL my tests were “excellent,” and that Strainer is performing at 60% of the level at which both of my kidneys had formerly performed, I lost it. I just let the tears run as he reported that my creatinine is at 1.68, and that I don’t have a single concern about either my kidney function or any of the lab tests that I have recently endured. My vegetarian diet is serving me very well. I will continue on the nutritional path that I am on.
We talked in great detail about vitamin D, my thyroid gland, my overall health and of course, Strainer. I have been given a very positive prognosis for the future and I feel as if a great load has been lifted from my heart. I left his office, holding Jill’s hand and holding in my heart the sweet knowledge that I can now get back to my life. We’ve been to a place that I don’t want to go back to again.
I’m looking forward to looking forward. Thanks for going along with us.
Theri Brooks says
Mike and Jill, I am so happy for you!
Maridonna says
Praise God! Praise God!!!
Sherrie says
wow….my eyes are welling and my heart is swelling…I can’t tell you how happy I am!! Praise the Lord.
Carter says
What wonderful news. Thanks for sharing it with all of us.
Lisa Venable says
Wonderful news. The good Lord have many more things for you to do. Go do them. Awesome!
Judy Walsh says
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! So happy to hear the wonderful news.
Cathy Alford says
This made my day. So thankful and smiling on your behalf right now!
Vikki Harper says
Your Heart has Always been so Big…..
May God Bless & Forever Keep You Healthy!
Congrats on the News! Celebrate Life…..
Callie says
Hopefully you already know how happy we (office folk) are for you and Jill and the boys. I will now say publicly what I’ve already told you privately: I am so impressed at the ease with which you’ve approached this radical diet change. I never hear you whine about what you want but “can’t” have. I never hear you grouse about “having” to eat this way. You don’t complain about being hungry all the time. You are not grouchy or irritable–no more so than usual anyway ๐ You just seem to have peacefully embraced an entirely new approach to food, and I am in awe of the ease with which you have acquiesced. To go from a full-out carnivore who LOVED a good slab of meat to a fairly strict vegan overnight is quite a feat. You have set a wonderful example for the rest of us, Mike, and we’re so glad to hear that your efforts are paying off!!!
Mary Dunn says
Dear Mike, you are one awsome individual,you help me in ways you’ll never know, just by your courage, and the words to let people know amd share in your triumphs, when I face a difficult task, I think of you, if you can, then I can, no I don’t have cancer, but a serious stroke 3 years ago, has really made big changes in life as I knew it, but I’ll plug away every day, because you do, Jill, I know what my husband and caretaker goes thru, so I know what Mike’s illness has been like for you, THANK GOD I have friends who take me places and give him a break, love you both, Mary