my gosh, this just brings me to tears. and, cancer to boot. i feel like i've been fighting cancer for the past year as i've seen a good friend here fight from the verge of death's grip back to near health, but with no energy yet and i've been writing about it since last august on this forum. then, my 20-something cousin gets breast cancer for the second time and undergoes treatment over the past 6 months. and, both of them survived and the process just tore me up. i even switched to a new diet to help fend off cancer about 3 weeks ago because my buddy had to switch and i wanted to show my support. and, we give all of our money to the american cancer society and stopped giving to other groups so we could concentrate on cancer with all of our resources. to hear mike is losing his battle is just such a heavy burden for my heart. my thoughts go out to his wife...what a damn shame to lose a guy i considered such a good buddy and friend. mike and i did see eye to eye on a great many things and i always appreciated having another voice of reason (even if it's our own biased reason). i had no idea he had cancer in the first place so this is really shocking news. damn it! what crummy, crummy news.<br><br><br><br>--<br>

before we knew<br><br>****************<br><br>[color:red]VOTE for President George W. Bush on November 2, 2004</font color=red>

Well, I *was* taking a break (no medical issues here, knock on wood) but I couldn't NOT post regarding this development....<br><br>I can't say I got along with Mike 100% of the time either, but he's in my prayers tonight. John, give mine and everyone else's warmest wishes & hopes to the family, and if the worst happens, please give them our deepest sympathies.<br><br>Life is too short as it is, damn it, and we don't need something as awful as cancer making it any shorter.... I think nutty summed it up best - this sucks. Makes everything else seem pretty damn insignificant, doesn't it?<br><br>C'mon, Mike- you've never backed down from a fight before- don't do it now!<br><br>

That's funny Matt. I remember that post. And I remember thinking MikeB blogging? He was the last person I ever thought would bother with something like that, but turns out he had a good reason and something to say.<br><br>

Mike was the first one to help me with my avatar when I first started posting here at MacMinute. I also remember that the first post I replied to was his -- he had just bought the Powerbook 12 inch and I was commenting that I had also just got my new toy. <br><br>I just found the link for the first reply I made on MM..it was Mike's joyful exclamation about his new toy! Mike's AlBook<br><br><br><br>

I read this thread and had to go give my sleeping daughter and wife a hug and kiss on their cheeks. <br><br><br><br>

I have prayed everyday for him. It was hard knowing his condition but not being able to say anything..Mike helped me pick out my clam when I was looking for one on e-bay..he found the one I ended up buying. He was always so helpful to me..a true lover of life..and a fighter..Life just plain sucks..Here is one of my last posts from him 7/09/04<br>Haven't posted much lately, dealing with some very serious health issues. Specifically, I have been undergoing chemo treatments for cancer. I haven't really wanted to make it public though here in the forum. Anyway, that is why I have not been around much lately. <br><br>He talked about a few other things and I recieved 2 more pm.s stating he was going to go down fighting if he had to go. I respected his wishes not to mention his illness..I am so glad that we all know now..it was a hard thing to do. My prayers still go out to him and Lena everynight..Glad Lena let you tell the forum John..it has been a sad secret.<br><br>

Thanks John for the cross post, I posted a response at MC.<br><br>I am sadden at this news, MikeB was and still a great man that lived his life to the fullest - I hope for miracles.<br><br>

I don't know MikeB well. Heck, I really don't know anybody here I suppose. But I'm absolutely gutted.<br><br>I can only hope that his wife might visit this forum and gain some comfort from the esteem her husband is held in by the members here. He is a man of principle and honest in his convictions. He is to be admired and his contribution to MM is, and will continue to be, sorely missed.<br><br>God bless you and keep you MikeB. I will remember you.<br><br>Ross McWilliams.<br>(Sacred_Bovine)<br><br><br><br>Moo?

Wow. Stunned and wordless.<br><br><br>God bless, Mike.<br><br>