Trap's Cancer Story

Survivor Updates

1995
1996
Sept 1997
Oct 1997
June 2000
Sept 2000

Helpful Links

National Cancer Institute

American Brain Tumor Association

Dr. Lane's Web Page

Contact

Mike Traphagan

Finally, back to update my story. I've had a serious case of procrastination. There are some things I have not included in my story for one reason or another.

When I was first diagnosed, Bob Archibald, a Coca-Cola representative and sponsor for the Garland Coca-Cola Boy's Basketball Tournament, called me into Garland Nichols' office at South Garland High School. Bob and Garland asked me if it was okay to rename the tournament the

"Mike Traphagan Coca-Cola Tournament."

I was quick to say no, but they had already made the trophies.

When I returned from Houston to prepare for my treatments, my brother and I went to catch the last game at South, who was hosting the tourney. After the last game, my brother and I went to get a bite to eat with some of the South Garland people. After dinner, coach Nichols told me they had a charity basketball game when I was in Houston. I also discovered that North Garland and Naaman Forest had held similar games. In all, they raised over $5500.

Talk about pull at your heart strings.

Many of the students who donated their money to me have never met me. I taught at both North and South but not at Naaman Forest. Steve Kelly, whom I met at South Garland, moved to Naaman Forest when it opened in 1988. Those kids didn't know me at all. The next day, Saturday, I took my brother, Pat, to the airport so he could return to his veterinarian practice in Colorado. That night was the championship game. South Garland was playing the Plano Wildcats coached by a good friend, Stan Hicks.

Unknown to me, while I was presenting trophies and the all-tournament team, Garland and Stan got together and awarded me the championship trophy. The trophy is a regular sized basketball with gold coloring on a large wooden base. It is proudly displayed in my living room, a constant reminder of how giving the people in the Dallas area.

In September of 1999, I had what I believe was my 30th MRI. I think they should name one of the machines after me. I have to be pretty close to buying one. Afterwards, I visited my neurosurgeon. He asked me,

"Trap, at anytime during you illness did you think you were going to die?" I responded without hesitation, "NO."

Then he added, "I am glad you believed you were not going to die because everyone else, including me, believed you would not survive. You are the only person I know that had what you had, went through what you went through and is still alive and talking about it." Strong words from a world renowned neurosurgeon.

Remember the Student Improvement Committee? It is still kicking. One of the new activities we started three years ago is the Senior Scholarship Fund. Over the past three years, the faculty has awarded eighteen $1,000 scholarships to needy seniors. This money has been raised through car washes, candy sales, dinners and golf tournaments to name a few activities. I believe I am the only remaining member of SIC since it was formed back when we created block scheduling.I am blessed to be employed in the Garland ISD and working at North Garland High School.

I've had great opportunities to do some traveling outside of the States. Tom Pollock, a teaching and coaching friend I have known for about fifteen years, has been working at Highland Park High School, a suburb of Dallas. For about the last eight years, Tom has taken a group of graduating seniors to Europe. Last summer, he invited me to come along as a chaperone. We had forty-four students and went to locations in England, France, Switzerland, and Italy. We ended with a four-day cruise through the Greek Islands. The entire trip lasted twenty-three days. The kids were great.

Incredible trips especially for a person like me who could not afford to go on my own. Teacher salary? Have the time but not the money. He invited me again for the 2000 trip, which is a total of twenty-six days. Leaving June 5th and returning June 30th. I guess he asked me again this year because we came back with the same number of kids we left with.

Still alive and kicking. Still get a number of cancer calls, especially brain tumors. Cancer treatment has come a long way since I was diagnosed in 1992. New methods, including, alternative methods, have been introduced. I hope that in my lifetime we can find a cure for cancer so people who are in remission, like me, can live long productive lives.

Back to Top

This is a personal account and is not intended in any way to provide medical information.
©Mike Traphagan, 2001
Site designed by Jasmine Preston