In 17 days, the scribbler goes under the knife, the first time I’ve ever had a major date with a surgeon.
But it could have been worse.
The date could have never happened at all.
For almost 15 years I have endured a bad wonky hip. Back then, hip replacement surgery was the ticket but a final say by an Edmonton specialist convinced me to wait.
And that I did.
But five years ago, another doctor spotted something weird on my arm. He ordered a biopsy. A week later while I was visiting in Winnipeg he called me. The results were in.
I had cancer.
The chronically bad hip no longer mattered.
There is something nasty, even overwhelming, when you’re told you have the Big C.
Most people would rather be told they were condemned to a lifetime of listening to Lou Reed’s Metal Machine Music; every day, with Side 2 screeching in the first hour of every morning, and then the last one before bedtime.
As for me, and I have listened and even smiled to Reed’s anti-classic, I went into action and followed all doctor’s orders.
Surgery day to remove the cancer came within six weeks, incredible as that may seem to many, considering the state of Alberta’s health-care system.
The cancer has not returned.
I owe a lot to the late Terry Fox. No, he did not cure cancer but he sure did his best to prove he could beat it.
There was never a more courageous man.
His Marathon of Hope was and still is an inspiration for millions of Canadians, including many in this region.
It was 10 years ago when Innisfail’s Patrick Gleason came to the now defunct Innisfail Province office.
Patrick was worried about the state of the Innisfail Terry Fox Run. It seemed apathy had sunk in and Patrick decided he had to lift it out of its doldrums.
And for more than a decade he has kept the event and Terry Fox’s legacy alive.
This year’s Innisfail Terry Fox Run is set for Sept. 15, beginning at 1 p.m. at the Innisfail Curling Club where registered participants can in Patrick’s words, “run, walk, roll or bike” along a five-kilometre course.
Since 1983 a staggering total of $178,431.35 has been raised from Innisfail’s Terry Fox Run.
Last year the total was $6,361, which was down a bit from previous years.
Patrick is determined to finally hit the magic $10,000 in 2024.
All proceeds are going towards cancer research through the Terry Fox Foundation.
In the meantime, Patrick has lined up a solid list of sponsors for the Innisfail run, including the local Scotiabank, Subway, Tim Hortons, Innisfail Pizza and the Innisfail Lions Club.
The scribbler will be there to help Patrick, wonky hip and all.
At some point in the day I will get out my wood cane and do the five kilometre run.
From my iPhone’s ear buds, Reed’s Metal Machine Music will blast away.
And I will smile at what can only be a perfect day.
For more information on Innisfail’s Terry Fox Run contact Patrick Gleason at 403-358-1451.
Johnnie Bachusky is an editor with the Albertan.
