Editor’s note: WTOP Morning Editor Mike Jakaitis is five years cancer-free and writes a first-person account of his journey.
Mike Jakaitis, wtop.com
I can sum up the last five years with two words: Thank You.
After, I met with my oncologist and received my first biopsy report on Dec. 11, 2006, it was my goal to make the magic five-year mark as a cancer survivor. And WE did. I use the term ‘we’ because I did not fight this battle alone. I have received so much support from family, friends, and colleagues during this battle. I’m extremely lucky and grateful for everything.
I want to thank everyone for the nice emails, tributes, Facebook and Twitter messages celebrating my five-year anniversary. I have received so many messages from so many people: high school classmates, fraternity brothers, old college roommates, childhood friends, as well as WTOP listeners. It’s been very touching.
When I first found out I had colon cancer after my colonoscopy in November 2006, it was devastating. I kept asking myself how could I get colon cancer at 36 years old? I just got married a year earlier. I have my whole life ahead of me.
But after I got over the shock, I decided that this disease was not going to get the best of me. I really believe having a positive attitude helped me reach my goal. Look, I’m not going to lie, I had the occasional down moment, but for the most part I remained upbeat and I have the people around me to thank for keeping me positive.
I’m still amazed how everything broke right for me. For a re-cap, check out the the video:
After going through this, it changes your outlook on a lot of things. The little things don’t bother me anymore. The lone exception is my beloved Philadelphia Eagles. It’s hard NOT to get upset watching them every Sunday.
I able to write about this because my cancer was caught early. Please, if you have any doubts about getting a colonoscopy, get rid of them. The procedure is not that bad. The prep work is no picnic but the payoff is worth it. Just get it done, it can save your life. I’m living proof.
There’s so many people I want to thank. I don’t know where to begin. I want to thank all my doctors: my primary care physician: Dr. Megan Wollman who was really aggressive in getting me checked out; my gastroenterologist Dr. James Butler; my oncologist Dr. Jimmy Hwang; and my surgeon Dr. Patrick Jackson, as well as the staff and nurses at Georgetown University Hospital.
I want to thank everyone at WTOP. I can honestly call my colleagues friends. The hospital visits, phone calls, emails, I’ll never forget it. Everyone has been so supportive — especially fellow colon cancer survivor Jim Farley, WTOP’s vice president of news and programming. I spoke to him almost immediately after I was diagnosed. He put my mind at ease and let me know that colon cancer was not necessarily a death sentence. I also want to thank WTOP Program Director Mike McMearty and Federal News Radio’s Amy Morris for keeping everyone informed on my recovery.
My close friends, “my boys” as my wife calls them, have been great. They treated me normal from the start which was very important. Their support has been great. I couldn’t ask for a better set of friends.
I can’t thank my family enough. My parents have been great–always encouraging me, praying for me. I remember my brother and his wife flying up from Arkansas for my surgery. My relatives in Philly always lending their support. My in-laws for the phone calls, and support materials. I am lucky to have a great family.
Finally, I want to thank my lovely wife Kellie. She remained so strong from the beginning. I owe her everything. If she didn’t make that doctors appointment for me, if she didn’t nag me to go, there’s a good chance I wouldn’t be here to share this experience. Thanks Sweetie. I love you so much.
You can email Mike at mjakaitis@wtop or catch him on Twitter @mjakaitis. Follow WTOP on Twitter.
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