Friends of Percy Squint

[mtangelsfan]

Welcome home Percy!!!!

[Lou]

Percy released from hospital...Halos in 1st place.

Sounds good to me!

[SoCALkid]

I don't know him personally but when I first joined this forum like 5 years ago I remember posting during opening weekend and seeing his avatar with that ridiculous hat he wears and thinking to myself, I have seen that guy quiet a few times at games. Prayers are with you PS.

[PercySquint]

Hey guys-

Just wanted to check in a bit, it's been a while, yes? First of all, my apologies for not posting of late. I had been busy with work (2 jobs) and caregiver duties for my mother, who passed away in April, moving, and other stuff going on. These were also the main reasons why I didn't make it out to spring training this year. I hated that.

The medical stuff is very recent. Here's the deal, long story shortened- last Friday, shortness of breath. Went to 19-inning game against the putrid stinking white flag tossing bottomfeeding Chowds on Saturday. While walking from stadium to car after, got winded and had to stop twice. Put in a call to my doc Sunday. Saw him Monday, he sent me to hospital. They started running tests. Tuesday, the doc came in and told me I have lung cancer "somewhat advanced." He looked sad. Said it's 7 centimeters, upper left lung, pushing down on bronchial tubes which partially collapsed the lung, causing the shortness of breath. Said they will know more after the biopsy on Wednesday. That was the worst day of my life until Thursday. He came in and told me stage 3, not operable, into lymph nodes. He also said if aggressive chemotherapy and radiation are successful, it would give me a year/year and a half to live. Not sure how to describe what it was like to hear that. Friday, they ran 2 more tests, and finally sent me home.

I will be very honest with you- I think I'm still in shock. I have very, very raw emotions. I have chosen not to censor them. So the tears and snot have been flowing rather freely. I am very scared. I'm scared of dying, the treatment, not getting treatment, you name it. I'm grieving the loss of my health, also known as feeling sorry for myself. I'm told this is a normal reaction for anyone in my shoes. I wouldn't know.

I've cried more this last week than the last 10 years. The biggest reason for it is the tremendous outpouring of love and support that has come my way. I have a vast network of friends who are absolutely unbelievable. A few of them have been through cancer treatments, and will be holding my hand when I start next week. Others have visited me, brought me stuff, and fed me. I got prayers flyin' my way from Arizona, Nevada, Montana, Tennessee, New York, etc. I am loved and cared about, in a very big way, it seems. I can feel it. Which brings me to you guys...

I was fortunate to discover AW some years ago. And through games, fanfests, spring training, etc., I've been able to meet many of you. From the mondo strikeout game with Blarg, playing cards with Brandon, winning my Oppo Taco shirt, playing softball, watching Adam wielding the broom as he led the conga line at Throwbacks after we swept the stinking Red Sux, composing Squintfest threads and film reviews, to the infamous (but hilarious) exchange with Arte, etc etc. I have excellent memories that will last the rest of my life, however long that is.

Sometime during last week, I was made aware of this thread. A good friend read some of it to me in the hospital. And wouldn't ya know, I started cryin yet again. It blows me away that you guys care this much for just another diehard Halos fan you don't know that closely. I am humbled and blessed. You guys have touched my heart. THIS is what AW does best, at least in my experience.

I'm off for 4-5 days, then the "ugly stuff" starts. Yup, I'm pretty scared, but I'll do it anyway. I'll try to post updates if possible. For now, keep them prayers coming, and let me thank all of you once again from every part of my heart (especially Eric, Patti, Mancini, AO, Derek, and Tank, who reached out). AW frickin rocks. And how bout my beloved Halos right about now? First place, bitches...

Love you guys,

-Mike

PS- May as well throw in some humor- Besides the 2 main docs who consulted with me, there was a 3rd doc who did the actual work- draining lung fluid, the biopsy, and installing the Porta-Cath. This guy was a little weird, so I liked him. During the biopsy, I was lying face down on the table. After it was done, the nurse said I need to slide over to the gurney for transport back to my room. Being a smartass, I said "Nah, I'll just sleep right here". Then I heard the doc say "You go right ahead. I'll shove this proctoscope so far up your ass, you won't know weather to sh*t or go blind. Sweet dreams". It was only time I busted up laughing last week. Just thought I'd throw that in.

Edited August 17, 2014 by PercySquint

[mancini79]

Mike, I'm at a loss for words. Just know that if you need ANYTHING please reach out. You won't be going through this alone.

[Splint7438]

((((Percy)))) seems like your illness has softened your stance on the redfux. Just let me remind you that the redfux aren't worth the little pieces of toilet paper that stick to the hairs of your ass. Be strong and be well.

[Blarg]

Mike, I Pm'ed you.

[gotbeer]

Well that settles it Percy.  Time to streak on the field, with just the hat on.  Make sure you have cancer sucks written on your back.  Then do the ALS challenge at second base.

[Blarg]

Ice water causes shrinkage, I don't think he wants to suffer that kind of embarrassment.

[Brandon]

You're awesome dude. You're probably one of the only few dudes that could write a directly serious and eloquent post about cancer and throw a funny story at the end to lighten it up. Glad you had a laugh during these trying times.

 

Hang in there, Mike. We are all here with you.

[Lhalo]

Get well Percy. You might not know this but I've seen you and your hat from a distance at multiple games over the years and it's always a conversation piece with me and my friends. Everyone loves the hat! 

 

Stay positive man! You'll beat this!

[BaseballMom]

Now the tears and snot are flowing here too..

 

We love you Percy

 

I really miss those days at Throwbacks

 

**** cancer

[Splint7438]

**** cancer.

[Kevin]

We've never met. But anyone who is a Halos fan and hates the Red Sux as much as I do is a friend to me. Prayers to you from out here in Utah.

[InsideThePark]

I miss the old days when Percy and AOA would talk about the movie industry. On one hand, there's a guy who loves nearly every movie he sees and on the other, there was someone who had a much more critical approach to put it lightly. What I would do to relive one of those "When will you see" threads.

It's good to see you back, your well being will be in thoughts.

[wopphil]

Percy, I don't think we have ever met, but I respect people who wear it on their sleeve like you. Props to you for being so courageous and tough, and for having such an amazingly positive attitude.

[DowningRules]

So, Percy...you never concluded the story:  Did you decide to stay on the gurney?  

 

Keep your hat up.  To quote Tubbs in the third season episode of Miami Vice titled "Child's Play" starring Ving Rhames, "Sonny, I am in this with you."

 

(To which, after a long pause, Crockett replies:  "You can't be Rico.")  

[stevestevens]

Prayers to you percy! It was great to hear your voice

[Ray McKigney]

Sending prayers your way. Hang in there. 

[Splint7438]

Monday! One day closer to the cure!

[stevestevens]

And by the way percy, if you have time, please drop your review of the tranformer movie that came out this summer

[Blarg]

I think he already did that when oncology asked for a stool sample.

[TobiasFunke]

Stay strong man

[Chuck]

Mike, this is terrible news. My prayers, our prayers & thoughts as an AngelsWin.com Community are with you. 

 

Please keep us updated and let us know where you're at so that we can visit and help in any way we can while you battle this awful affliction. 

 

My prayer is that you're fully healed of cancer and that you feel the love from family and friends along the way. 

[HaloCory22]

Great to see you in here posting, Mike. Prayers definitely heading your way. Loved that last part of your post. Gave me a good laugh. Classic.