Since I first wrote this story, our family has received the best news: Dad is cancer free! We are all definitely celebrating. I have realized that my dad is not just my rock, but that he is the foundation of this whole family. Even though he sees himself as just another ordinary person, I know that in the eyes of his wife, kids, grandkids, and many friends, that he is a one-in-a-million guy no matter what he thinks.

Many people already know that my dad was diagnosed with Prostate Cancer last year. I was devastated. My dad and I have always been close and I love spending time with him. One of my fondest memories with my dad (I’m sure he would love me sharing this) is that when I was maybe eight years old he took me fishing right after school. He decided we would go to the brook that runs down over the bank at the backside of St. John’s Cemetery. It was a steep bank and it was early spring. The bank was covered in wet leaves and he told me to watch my step and follow him. Next thing I know my dad loses his footing and I am watching him slide and tumble 20 feet down this banking. I was so scared. I scrambled down the banking after him only to find him in the brook chuckling over the fact that he had told me to be careful and he was the one in the brook. He was not hurt and we had fun fishing even though we got in trouble because I missed dance class.

When the diagnosis of Cancer came back, my mind was back at the steep bank, watching dad sliding downward, only this time it has been months and he is still on that banking and we do not know yet what his outcome is going to be. I am so scared.

My family and I have Relayed for about 14 years with my memier and then, sadly, in memory of her since she died of Cancer.

When my dad went for his surgery last year, his doctor told us that if he had this same surgery just 11 years ago, his hospital stay would have been four weeks instead of three days. He would have been out of work for at least six months instead of six weeks and it would have been over a year before he would have known if the Cancer was gone instead of just six weeks.

All the money that has been raised through Relay For Life to aid in Cancer research is responsible for this. Even though I started out Relaying to honor my grandmother, I now Relay for the future of the technology that Cancer research will bring because if they have come this far in such a short time who knows what is on the horizon. I pray that it is THE CURE FOR CANCER!