Who I Am
My name is Mike, I'm 24 years old. My nickname is "Sunny". I love
boating, wakeboarding, dirtbiking, quading, ice hockey and just about any
other sport. I graduated from St. Anthony's High School then went on to
Iona and Suffolk Community College where I received an associates
degree.
My story
One day I came home from playing ice hockey and told my mother I
couldn't skate as fast as usual. I also felt out of breath. About a month
later, I discovered a lump, the size of a baseball, on my left side. A CAT
scan and biopsy found adrenal gland cancer. In December of 2004, the
abdominal mass was removed as well as my adrenal gland, left kidney,
spleen, and part of my pancreas. Over the next two years, I have endured
blood clots, open heart surgery, spinal tumors, brachytherapy and severe
side effects from chemo and radiation. This past May, I became
paralyzed from the waist down as a result of a tumor compressing my
spinal chord. Surgery is extremely risky, so I will be starting chemo
within the next few weeks. When the pain becomes to intense, I press a
button to release medicine through a pump.
My Goals
My goals are to play sports, drive, and study criminal justice at Dowling. I
accept the responsibility of my sickness. It's like a roller coaster; some
days you're in the gully and sometimes you're high up. I'm keeping
positive. People call me Superman!
My Family and Friends
Throughout this entire ordeal, my family and friends have always been by
my side. I would not have been able to overcome all the setbacks I have
endured without my phenomenal family and fantastic friends. I would like
to extend my sincere thanks to all that have been there for me.
My name is Mike, I'm 24 years old. My nickname is "Sunny". I love
boating, wakeboarding, dirtbiking, quading, ice hockey and just about any
other sport. I graduated from St. Anthony's High School then went on to
Iona and Suffolk Community College where I received an associates
degree.
My story
One day I came home from playing ice hockey and told my mother I
couldn't skate as fast as usual. I also felt out of breath. About a month
later, I discovered a lump, the size of a baseball, on my left side. A CAT
scan and biopsy found adrenal gland cancer. In December of 2004, the
abdominal mass was removed as well as my adrenal gland, left kidney,
spleen, and part of my pancreas. Over the next two years, I have endured
blood clots, open heart surgery, spinal tumors, brachytherapy and severe
side effects from chemo and radiation. This past May, I became
paralyzed from the waist down as a result of a tumor compressing my
spinal chord. Surgery is extremely risky, so I will be starting chemo
within the next few weeks. When the pain becomes to intense, I press a
button to release medicine through a pump.
My Goals
My goals are to play sports, drive, and study criminal justice at Dowling. I
accept the responsibility of my sickness. It's like a roller coaster; some
days you're in the gully and sometimes you're high up. I'm keeping
positive. People call me Superman!
My Family and Friends
Throughout this entire ordeal, my family and friends have always been by
my side. I would not have been able to overcome all the setbacks I have
endured without my phenomenal family and fantastic friends. I would like
to extend my sincere thanks to all that have been there for me.
| SUNNY'S WORLD |
Me & Reegen
on her first
Halloween.
on her first
Halloween.
About Me
They call me
the Fire Master!
the Fire Master!
 |  |  |  |  |
