My teacher has cancer...

[Dez]

I go to a technical high school. My trade is IT (information technology, computers). My IT teacher (let's call him Mr. W) had been really sick for a while and went for an endoscopy on January 31st. He's been out of school since. Yesterday I went down to see the OTHER IT teacher (let's call her Ms. B) to help prepare for my Skills USA competition since the one I have still wasn't there. I asked how Mr. W was, and Ms. B told me that he has stomach cancer. He's in one of the hospitals in Boston and they need to remove a tumor in his stomach and part of his small intestine and figure out what to do next. Ms. B said that as far as she knows, they don't know if they caught it on time.

I'm so scared. I nearly cried when Ms. B told me. I was like, "What?!" Cancer sucks, guys. I hope he's okay. He's a really nice guy, I don't want to lose him.

I also am scared they're not going to find a teacher qualified to teach IT to take his place. This is our trade and what we went to school to take, something that we could use to get out into the workforce. Without a teacher we're bad off for learning the computer trade.

Not only that but I recently found out that I'm competing in Skills USA. As a sophomore, there was stuff I haven't learned yet. I would have loved to tell him that I was competing and asked him for help. I think he'll be proud of me just to qualify to compete, even if I don't make it far, right? =/ I think all he'd care about is that I try hard, which I think I will do, especially now for him.

[Artistic Soul]

I am so sorry! I know how bad it feels when a close one is fighting with cancer. Believe me, I know!
Cancer really sucks, so let's just hope for the best.
I suggest you to focus on the competition, as there's not much you can do right now to help your teacher.
Best of luck for that and stay strong!
Don't lose hope! xx

~Mandy

PS:Feel free to get in touch!

[Dez]

Thanks. My family has been touched by cancer so many times I should feel used to hearing the words "--- has cancer." Yeah, I'm going to focus on it as much as possible and whether or not I do well, he and I will both be happy that I competed. Him, well obviously he taught me well if I qualified, and me because I didn't chicken out. I guess that'll be my way of making him proud.

Thank you.

[Artistic Soul]

Anytime!
Keep me updated, btw! Eager to know about your competition and all!

[George^^]

<3
I am so sorry.
My grandpa had stomach cancer too. But let's ignore that, kay?
Think about it, there is a big chance that he'll make it through.
I know it must be a bit scary, and he sounds like an amazing guy.

<3 PM me if you ever need to talk.

-G.

[George^^]

<3
I am so sorry.
My grandpa had stomach cancer too. But let's ignore that, kay?
Think about it, there is a big chance that he'll make it through.
I know it must be a bit scary, and he sounds like an amazing guy.

<3 PM me if you ever need to talk.

-G.

[Dez]

Thanks you two, I'll keep you updated.


Latest updates on Mr. W:

So besides the tumor in his stomach and the small intestine being removed, his gallbladder and lymph nodes are as well. Ms. B is amazing for keeping us informed.

[George^^]

<3 That's good.

Amazing, actually. I hope things keep going great.

[George^^]

<3 That's good.

Amazing, actually. I hope things keep going great.

[Koharuchan]

I'm so sorry, cancer is horrible. I do know how you feel; my english teacher had breast cancer and was out periodically for her treatments. At the end of the year she was starting to get worse, so a long term substitute was brought in. What makes me sad is that she didn't come back, because she didn't want to get super sick again and have to leave again, so I don't even know if she got better or if she died.

[JollyRancher.]

I'm also worried about him. Tomorrow Dezy and I go back to trade and i can't bare the thought that Mr. W wont be there. And Ms. B is supposed to tell us that " dont know" so i know im going to tear up. Mr. W is like family to me ( like a school family) and its not fun to see him not there. Im going to miss him until he comes back and im sure, im saying that we all miss him ( everyone in our trade)

[Dez]

And our substitute is really awful.

[JollyRancher.]

The dude who subs us is strict and we cant o anything fun. Ms. B is trying to make it fun for us but the sub wont let us watch videos on youtube or anything fun.

We made a get well card for mr. W. Its way better than the one the older kids made.