2018 Q3 LIFE@reliance Newletter

B E N E F I T S

My Journey with SCC Mike Lance, Chatham Steel's director of IT, shares his story

We are often encouraged to live healthy lifestyles that exhibit good nutrition choices, daily exercise, and elimination of unhealthy habits. Today, I would like to share with you an aspect of good health which many of us don’t often think about: skin care. Like many of you, I love outdoor activities – working in the yard, exercising, competing in outdoor events, or just enjoying the company of family and friends. Sometimes I get sunburned, but most of the time, unless I’m going to be out for hours, I don’t apply sun screen. I have been blessed with good health. Life-altering health problems have always seemed to happen to “the other guy.” In the fall of 2017, I noticed a spot that I thought was just a case of chapped lips. After weeks of trying to treat the lip without any progress, I decided to go to the doctor. She recognized that it was more serious

than I had originally thought, and treated it right away. She sent the removed spot off for a biopsy... and it turned out to be squamous cell carcinoma, or SCC, which is caused by overexposure to the sun. After an afternoon of surgery, all of the cancer was successfully removed. I was very thankful! I made up my mind to make a daily effort to apply sunscreen. Unfortunately, I later noticed a lump in my throat and went to the doctor. After seeing another specialist and having another biopsy, I was told the cancer had migrated to a lymph node in my neck. Since then, doctors have operated on my neck to remove the cancerous lymph node as well as the surrounding lymph nodes – the incision was at least 14 inches long. Currently, I’m waiting on a call from the oncologist to determine what my next steps are. I’ve

been told that at a minimum, radiation is necessary, but it's possible I’ll need both radiation and chemotherapy. My life has drastically changed. Why am I telling you this? We at Chatham Steel – and Reliance – are a team. And although there are many of you I haven’t met, I hope that sharing my experience can help prevent what's happened to me from happening to you or your loved ones. It doesn’t always happen to "the other guy” – and I’m living proof. So please, remember to wear sunscreen every day, including on your lips. Wear a wide rim hat, and yes, even long sleeves. Take care and have a great summer!

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ISSUE 14 | JULY 2018 3