For all of you who do not know me, my name is Michael Schoenfeld and I am twenty-one-years old and an eleven-year cancer survivor. I was diagnosed in 1990 with a medulloblastoma in the cerebellum of my brain. I received radiation and chemotherapy and finished my last chemotherapy in 1993. I have been cancer-free for 11 years (knock on wood) and am currently attending the University of Maryland, College Park where I am studying Government and Politics.
My father, Stephen Schoenfeld, one of the directors of the CBTF, asked me to write an article to reflect on what my life has been like ten years after cancer. At first, I did not want to write an article about myself, I felt like it would be conceited, but then I thought quite the contrary. That is, it would benefit everyone (parents, patients, families and friends) to hear what life can be like ten years down the road.
I have to say that my tenth anniversary did not start off with a BANG, but a BLOW to me and all of those around me. Although the worst part of surviving cancer is over, there are still things that must be done in order to ensure a healthy lifestyle down the road. For me, one of these things is a yearly MRI. I must tell you that I still have a scan done as well as yearly visits to the neuro-oncology clinic at Children’s Hospital. Yes, I am probably one of their oldest patients and chuckle when I am asked if I have ever been stuck with a needle or had an MRI. But I feel very comfortable. The quality of care is second to none and no other doctors will ever be able to understand my condition better than they do.
During my yearly MRI in July of 2000, the scan revealed a small, non-malignant tumor at the frontal lobe of my brain. According to the doctors, the tumor was a side effect from the radiation treatment I received. It was a small meningioma, which can pop up after radiation treatment. Luckily, only one appeared at the surface of the brain. So a week later, I found myself in the same hospital, having surgery where I was ten years before. I was able to appreciate the advancements in research and technology, for I had my surgery on a Friday, and the next day was sent home with only adhesive tape and stitches in my head (also I had trouble wrinkling my forehead for a couple of days). After a weeks rest, I returned to the normalcy of life, went back to my summer job and eventually started school in the fall. (Honestly, I liked being pampered at home!)
College life is great except for all the work you have to do. Well, the next big event in the tenth year of survivorship came in October when, after two auditions, I was selected to be one of the representatives of the Wheel of Fortune’s “College Week” in Washington, D.C. I was very fortunate (pun intended) to have such an experience and I did not take a minute of it for granted. Not only did I get to meet Pat Sajak and Vanna White, I was the Grand-Prize winner for the show. I won $7,500 and a Toyota MR2 Spyder. Although I could personally pick out the color of the car, I left that duty to my father because I was spending the Spring Semester in Spain where I lived “La Vida Loca” and had one of the most enriching experiences of my life. If you ever get to travel our of the country, go to Spain. It is full of so much history, culture, wonderful architecture and food (I can say that I ate my way through Spain.) Now I am paying the consequences and go to the gym almost every day.
Coming back from Spain and ending my somewhat roller coaster ten year anniversary, I still have much to look forward to. In August, I was the Co-Best Man at my brother’s wedding. Then in October, I will share in the festivities at my cousin’s wedding.
I am not here to write about myself for the sake of boasting or egotism. I am writing this article to inform you, the reader, of what life can hold in the future after treatment.
Written by Michael Schoenfeld, Survivor, graduate of the University of Maryland. Michael is a Community Representative for CBTF and is a loyal supporter.
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