Ernie Johnson…My Cancer Compass

Today was a very emotional day for me. In a few days it will be the five month anniversary of my Stage 4 cancer diagnosis. That day will never leave me. When Dr. S. shut the door, showed me the data and suggested I get my affairs in order immediately… it was clearly an awakening.

He showed me my PetScan. He showed me my outrageous PSA count of 1200 and said,” This may be the highest PSA count I’ve ever had with a patient.” He then proceeded to write down the four medications which would get me started on my battle with cancer. He suggested I explore the physical rehab center across the hall. He never suggested the vegan diet…that was me. He said it wouldn’t be bad idea to pray and hope for a miracle. He said he wasn’t God and we’d just have to do the best we could given the circumstances.

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Dr. S’s assistant came into the room today. She said, “Michael, I think you’re going to be very pleased with what I have to show you today. Your PSA count as of Monday was all the way down to – 0.61, your PetScan is clean, your hemoglobin count has settled in at 12.5. There has been a retraction of cancer as well. Everything is trending right. You’ll always be a Stage 4 cancer patient, but the outlook from here is much different than it was five months ago. Keep working hard. Dr. S will see you in a month.”

I nodded and said “Thank you”… Bit my lower lip and then headed down the hall to the Infusion Room and got two shots in my stomach.

I then headed over to North Park Mall and had lunch with my eighty-eight year-old mother and gave her the good news. I even treated myself to a Ron’s onion burger without cheese today. Dr. Greger says it’s okay to do this now and again,,,,so I did. It was a special day.

So after lunch my Mom heads off to go home after the burgers. I then take my position behind the SuperVive Walker Model MOB1033 and started my half-mile walk inside of the mall.

About two-thirds of the way through my walk, a Hispanic woman in her thirties and her son who looked to be about eight years-old stepped in front of me and halted me to a stop.

She said, “Sir, this is crazy, but my son and I were in the lounge at the Doctor’s office earlier and we saw you there. That was you, right?”

I answered, “Yup. It was a great day for me.”

She then told me of both her parents’ battles with cancer. She then said, “My son has something he’d like to give you.”

I said, “Really?”

She said, “Yes. He has something for you.”

This adorable kid then reaches into his pocket and pulls out a penny and places in my hand. He then says,” Mister, this is one of my lucky pennies. You can have it and throw it in the fountain for good luck if you want to.”

For the seond time in two hours…I bit my lip and then replied to this incredible kid,” If you don’t mind… I’d like to not throw the penny in the fountain, but keep it for the rest of my life to remember this moment. Thank you very much for this very thoughtful gift.”

He nodded and said,”No problem. You don’t have to throw it in the fountain. You can still keep it.”

I tussled his hair. We said our goodbyes. I finished my walk and went home and told my wife…then called my son in Denver.

It was a beautiful day.

Don’t ever give up. Don’t ever surrender your inner faith. Everywhere around us love is there trying to help us.

Have a wonderful Thursday.