After several days of scanxiety in advance of my Tuesday of this week MRI and CT scans, I have been given the results. I had an 11 a.m. appointment with Dr. Andy Pippas this morning and this is how it went: I got checked in, paid my office co-pay, donated a couple of vials of blood and settled in to wait to see the doctor. The waiting room was uncrowded and quiet today, so it didn’t take long to get in.

They called us back and we were escorted to a treatment room. When Dr. P came in, he greeted us and sat down to review my chart. Based on what happened the last time I saw him, the fact that he stayed on his side of the room and didn’t roll his chair over so that he could take hold of my hand was a good sign. He started reading and commented along the way. “The tumor site in your spine is unchanged. Your chest, lungs, abdomen and pelvis are clear. Mumble, mumble, snarky, lake, cityscape, beemer, hot dog, silver coin, hopscotch, pink elephant…..Mike, you are NED,” you get the point — I had checked out because I had heard all I needed to…..DID YOU SAY, NED?

Yes, he said it. No Evidence of Disease. And he continued: “Mike, the biology of your disease doesn’t seem to be agressive. You went 18 months until there was a recurrence and it was only a single site. Your creatinine level is great and everything is looking good. Spend some time getting back into shape. Work on the parts of your life that you can control.” We are so thrilled to hear this news!

On March 19 I am the honoree for the 2011 American Cancer Society Crystal Ball, presented by the Columbus Regional John B. Amos Cancer Center. I would greatly appreciate it if you would either make a donation to the ACS, buy a ticket to the ball, buy a ticket to the Fire and Ice after party or become a sponsor of the event. Here’s how you can do it: http://www.acscrystalball.org

This is really not about me. I have a great health insurance policy, an assertive personality and great medical connections. This ball and the money it will raise is about all the folks who don’t have this kind of access. I’m just the guy they picked to carry the flag this year. We’d love to have a huge fund raising year, and honestly we’re not there yet. Last minute checks, credit card donations or sponsorships would be so much appreciated. If you’re on the fence about supporting the Crystal Ball, I’m hoping this will convince you that you’re really needed this year.

And, if you decide to come out for the party, we’ve got a hell of lot of good stuff to celebrate after the news I just got today. So, y’all come!