Remembering Friends

I was reminded this morning of someone I hadn’t thought about in 10 years.

In college I was a member of the varsity heavyweight crew. Also on the team was a guy named Mike Lacasse. Mike was two years older than me and he graduated the same year I met him, 1998. I didn’t have much time to get to know Mike, plus the context of our friendship (college athletics) didn’t really offer many opportunities to do so.

But somehow, during long bus rides to out of state regattas and the short times before and after practices, I got to connect with Mike. See Mike was one of the most genuine, most welcoming people I have ever met.

Most people (myself included) do not open up around people we don’t know, at least at...

10 Years Cancer-Free!!

I just realized this today (though I had a general awareness of it). I was diagnosed with testicular cancer in Fall 1999, had surgery and radiation treatment in Winter 1999/2000. I had my last radiation treatment some time in January or February 2000.

Since then I’ve had various pokes (ouch), prods (errr), and scans (breath in…. hold it…. hold it…. exhale), but nothing really since 2005 (the five year mark).

So today at my regular diabetes check up (Yes, I am a diabetic and cancer survivor. No I don’t recommend it.) I asked my doctor if there was anything I needed to do. He didn’t seem to think so but said he’d consult with their oncologist. So, assuming they don’t say anything...

Conversations With My Dad | Introduction

The Story:

In April/May of 2007, my dad (Michael John Ring) was diagnosed with lung cancer. The news was particularly devastating because: a) he isn’t that old (59 at the time) b) my dad has never smoked in his life; c) he is the father of two young children (five and three years old at the time of his diagnosis); and d) numerous members of his family have also had various kinds of cancer (including his first wife Peggy who passed away in 1997 and his second son Kevin (a.k.a. me) who was diagnosed and treated for Seminoma in 1999).