I'm Mike and I also agree with Sara Anne!
Here is a note I sent to folks at work. If a similar thing winds up being in your future, maybe the note will be helpful. It was cathartic for me and I've received some incredible replies.
Mike
Team,
It is more difficult writing this email than it was for me to get the news myself.
My metastatic bladder cancer has returned to several distant lymph nodes in my abdomen. I want to thank everyone from the bottom of my heart for the time we’ve spent together at Alsbridge. I have certainly learned a lot and have enjoyed meeting and working together with you.
The support I have received from everyone in the firm has been phenomenal. I most sincerely appreciate everything!
We have discussed our options and my treatment has been switched to palliative care. That is, keep an eye on things and give me meds to keep me comfortable followed by hospice when the time comes. We hadn’t really expected curative to work given my advanced stage but it did for a short while and I’m very grateful for that.
While sobering of course, my situation is also quite liberating. Just yesterday at the grocery store I picked up a few items that I would not have purchased. J Liz and I are going to get some travel time in together and we’re sorting out plans. Yes, we will get travel insurance! I still remain a non-smoker and nothing is ever going to change that!
Doc says I have 6 to 12 months but that can fluctuate. I get another scan in a couple of months and that will help us understand the rate of progression. Nobody is really ever ready for this kind of thing but the writing has certainly been on the wall for me for quite some time now.
It has been a great ride and I have had an adventure packed life so far and have full intentions of cramming as much as I can into to end of the ride as well! I have been living my bucket list for most of my life. My family and I have traveled the world and lived in and celebrated other cultures, I’ve jumped from a plane, dived the great barrier reef (and other great spots around the world), seen the cherry blossoms of Tokyo in full bloom, and I’ve danced and laughed on almost every continent!
I will be smiling, laughing, crying, hugging and continuing to love life and love the people in my life for all I have left.
If I have brought a smile or laugh to you over our time together or helped you discover something good about yourself, then I’ve done my job. Life is to be lived and it must contain laughter!
My best to you all!
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