Cancer survivor running Boston Marathon with doctor who helped save his life
A New Hampshire man diagnosed with cancer is planning to run the Boston Marathon with one doctor who helped save his life.
"I was diagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma. Bile duct cancer," said Michael Willette. "You read that, and you might as well鈥攜ou're getting your will ready, getting your affairs in order."
Bile duct cancer is rare, hard to diagnose and harder to treat. And it is often deadly if it is not caught early. Willette was lucky. Doctors at Mass General Brigham were able to act fast. He is now approaching the five-year mark cancer-free.
"I'm healthier than I was before I had my cancer diagnosis," said Willette.
One reason for that: a hobby he picked up to help cope with everything that went with his diagnosis.
"I needed something to do, something to get back to healthy, something to get my mind off everything, and started talking about running," he said.
He started running 5Ks, the, 10Ks and then half marathons. Then, Willette set his sights on the ultimate prize: the Boston Marathon.
"I knew it was time. I just knew I had to give it a shot," he said of signing up for this year's Boston Marathon. "I figure what better way to hit a couple things in my life and to give back to the people that I feel saved my life."
One of those people will be lacing up by his side: Dr. Aparna Parikh, his oncologist at MGB.
"Many people don't have the outcome that Mike had," Parikh said. "The fact that we get to do this this year, it's incredible."
Willette said this won't complete his running journey. He is already looking for his next challenge, possibly a multi-day event or another marathon.
He is hoping to about cholangiocarcinoma along the way.
