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Patrick Labrecque
submitted by Christian Lavoie

Hi Jeff,

Patrick is a co-worker of mine from Quebec who has been fighting cancer for
the last two years and on May 27 won his first battle and was diagosed to
be cancer free. I would like to dedicate 100 km from Montreal towards Quebec to celebrate Patrick's victory.

Patrick Labrecque

November 2002. It still hurts. It has for more than a year now. Doctors kept telling me that it was nothing to be alarmed of. Today, there was a change in diagnostic : CANCER Ouch ! That doesn't sound too good. Oh, well, life is definitely worth a fight.

Two weeks later, we find out that in fact I have got a big battle to fight.
The good news is that the odds are pretty good, especially at a young age
like mine. I have no intention to waste any time. Let's start the
treatment a.s.a.p. Not that it looks exciting but it certainly looks
necessary.

December 02 ? March 03. I have to admit that the chemotherapy isn't particularly fun. It gets me pretty sick and weak too. The damage it does to your arteries is unbelievable. You got to kill some of the good in order to get rid of the bad !

April 03. Radiotherapy. Cool ! Not. Not any better than the chemo.
Also has it's own share of disadvantages but certainly has one GREAT advantage : It cures the damn thing!

May the 27th. News Break : I am completely done with the treatments and
the scan looks good : no trace of cancer left in me. Still, controls will be
required at least once a year to make sure that I am OK ! It's nice to win
a fight but you also need to protect your title !

Of course, the whole thing wasn't particularly a walk in the park. My
family and friends and co-workers helped me go through this undesirable
journey. Thanks to them for the support they have provided all along.

I think that I am entitled to say that what these guys are currently doing
is going to have a tremendous impact on the lives of a lot of people. I
would certainly like to take this opportunity to thank you from the bottom
of my heart.

Patrick Labrecque