Michael Sherwood knew he had two options after his cancer diagnosis. 

He could wallow in “Why me?” and spend all day in bed, or he could make the most out of the cards life dealt him. 

He thought of his days playing football at Archbishop Alter High School, practicing in the summer sun. No matter how hot it got, he had to finish practice. The sun couldn’t win. 

“Now,” he said, “it’s just like football. Am I going to let this win?” 

Something you don’t hear at 38 

In June 2023, Michael noticed blood in his stool. He thought it might be from scar tissue after a surgery he had the previous year. But when he started feeling pressure in his lower abdomen a week later, he figured it wouldn’t hurt to get checked out. 

After a colonoscopy, he was called two days later for a follow-up. A second test confirmed something he never expected to hear, especially at 38 years old: Michael had colon cancer. 

The news hit him “like a truck.” 

The average age of colon cancer diagnosis is about 66, with screenings recommended to start at 45. But research shows that rates are increasing for younger people, like Michael. 

After the initial shock, Michael realized the only way to get over cancer is to go through it. He knew it was time to “buckle up” and face it one day at a time. 

Just like family 

Michael’s oncologist, Dr. Minia Hellan, explained he would need six rounds of chemotherapy followed by 30 rounds of radiation. It was a lot to process, but the empathy and warmth from his care team reassured him. 

“The one thing that stood out to me, especially with Dr. Hellan,” he said, “was that she made it personal.” 

Dr. Hellan treated Michael like family, giving him the confidence he needed for treatment. 

Ringing the bell 

Michael went to Soin Medical Center every other Wednesday for three hours of treatment. He then wore a chemotherapy pump for 48 hours, returning on Fridays to have it removed. 

“As soon as I would get the pump taken off on Friday,” Michael said, “that’s when it hit me.” 

Fatigue overcame him, making even the walk down his driveway to get the mail difficult. But even worse was his sensitivity to cold. 

“I would pick up raw chicken to cook it,” he said, “and my hands would start tingling hard. Like they fell asleep.” 

Several months later, Michael rang the bell at the Cancer Center, marking the end of his treatment. His family and a crowd of hospital staff cheered and celebrated with him. 

Michael was proud that he accomplished what he set out to do. He beat colon cancer. 

Full circle and new beginnings  

Michael has since fully embraced life after cancer, booking his dream trip to Japan with his best friend, something that has been on his bucket list forever. 

“I’m not going to waste this second chance that I’ve been given.” 

In October 2024, Michael rang another bell to celebrate beating cancer. This time, the bell was on the field during halftime at the Cincinnati Bengals’ Crucial Catch game. Celebrating his victory with his favorite football team felt like a full-circle moment. 

He knows none of this would be possible without Dr. Hellan and his care team at Kettering Health. When he thinks of everything they did for him, Michael has one thing to say: “Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”