Thank you, thank you, thank you for the outpouring of support from family, friends, and professional colleagues. I am quite simply blown away by how many of you are taking the time to send messages of support. I am touched and feel truly blessed.
Many people have noted that they had no idea that I had been ill for 2+ years. That’s because I didn’t want many people to know. Why? A good question for which I’m not sure I have a satisfactory answer. Best I can up with:
- I didn’t want to be treated differently or, worse yet, be pitied.
- I didn’t want to be that “friend who has cancer”
- I didn’t want anyone to feel that I couldn’t live up to my part in any relationship (personal or work).
What changed? Again, I’m not entirely sure. Partly, I was not really comfortable “lying” (by omission) to people about my condition. Partly, it was going to be harder to hide a second transplant. Most compelling, perhaps, there are several causes related to my disease that I’d like promote (e.g. blood donations … expect at least one full blog post on this topic).
For those from whom I have kept my leukemia a secret, I apologize.
Thanks for listening,
Mike
The Cancer Card 
No apologies needed! This is your journey. You get to decide. I appreciate any small role I can have to help you through it…a prayer, a laugh, moral support…. ❤️
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Cher Michael.
Nos meilleures pensées t’accompagnent tout au long de cette épreuve. Ne lâche pas, nous sommes de tout ❤️ avec toi! Yvan et Claire xoxo
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may you find divine peace and heal completely and quickly through this journey of yours! praying for you and your fam brother!
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Thank you so much for your prayers. They are precious to me.
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There is never a need to apologize for maintaining your privacy and sharing only if and when you are ready. My favourite movie is “It’s a Wonderful Life” because it teaches all of us how deeply and how broadly we touch other people’s lives. That’s true for you as well Michael. You’ve touched so many lives through your work, friendships, advocacy, etc. all that positive energy you put out in the world is available to you – through the love and support from your friends and colleagues that hold you in high regards and in hearts. God bless.
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Thank you for the kind words and support. I appreciate that you took the time to craft this thoughtful comment
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