Comeback Kid

I honestly didn't think we'd make it through Dan's speech. We managed to arrive in Indy with little problem. But as soon as we hit the door, more side effects kicked in and by the time we awoke yesterday morning, Dan's voice was gone again. Plus he had a severe sore throat on top of the cough which made it all the worse for him to get through a 10 minute speech. Even as we headed down to catch the cab, we weren't sure if he could get up and speak.

But he did, and he was wonderful. I hope you all have the privelage to watch someone you love do something he or she was born to do. Dan was born to be on the stage. I've helped him with speeches and edited for him, but to watch him deliver his message was amazing. He certainly held his own in a room full of top scientists and researchers who had more letters behind their names than most (MD, PHD, MBA). Dan joked that it was a Brett Favre (or maybe even Michael Jordan) comeback- rising from illness to go out and deliver one for the team. It was something special to see. Best of all, Dan made a call to action of the CEO not even knowing that he was in the audience. When we got to meet him afterward, it was a great exchange!

“To those of us in oncology- doctors, nurses, researchers- it may seem that some days, the challenge is too big, too tough.

We hear about another friend, parent, or co-worker being diagnosed. We hear about those that make it, but a lot of times…we unfortunately hear about those who don’t.

In difficult times, we must remember that life’s challenges are not supposed to paralyze us and bring us down, but help us discover who we are and the changes we can become.”