BC'S MARK HERZLICH GOT BAD NEWS THIS WEEK

by Orson on May 14, 2009 3:26 PM EDT

The outstanding young thespian in that flick is senior BC linebacker Mark Herzlich. His obvious sense of humor may be more useful than any of his considerable football skills in the extremely unfair and daunting task he has to do next:beat cancer.

"This past week, I got some news nobody wants to hear. After undergoing some tests to determine the cause of some pain I had been experiencing in my leg, I learned that I have Ewing's Sarcoma.

"Obviously, I was shocked. I had been extremely focused on preparing for my senior season at Boston College and for life beyond that. Now, I must channel all that energy into facing my toughest opponent yet, and that is exactly what I will do.

The Wiki entry on the particular cancer Herzlich has, a rare form known as Ewing's Sarcoma, says the five-year survival rate for the disease is 70-80%. With early detection, his prognosis is very, very good, but all happy thoughts to Herzlich, who after all is nasty enough to kick something like cancer's ass, but also nice enough to help nuns shovel snow (even if they have goatees.)

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Good luck Mark. Getting it early is key to any cancer. I can testify to what great work doctors can do when there is early detection.

by Crabapple Buck on May 14, 2009 3:43 PM EDT reply actions

Thoughts and prayers to a worthy adversary. Hope to see you on the field soon.

by Expat Ohioan on May 14, 2009 4:10 PM EDT reply actions

Comment over at Doc Saturday: “It made me sad when I saw he wasn’t black.” I can give up on the human species now, right?

Seriously, my cousin had Ewing’s Sarcoma. I’m not sure how early they caught it, but he was told all of the 80% make it 5 years stuff. It just kept spreading and he was gone in about 15 months. It’s nasty nasty stuff; here’s wishing Herzlich a full recovery.

by TJ on May 14, 2009 6:10 PM EDT reply actions

TJ, sorry to hear about your cousin.

My younger brother had Ewing’s when he was a freshman in high school (back in 2002). The doctors weren’t 100% sure when they caught it because it had grown to roughly the size of a football (it was wrapped around his pelvis). He went through an experimental and very aggressive chemo and radiation regimen that was being developed at UF and beat it in about a year and a half. Here it is 7 years later and he’s still cancer free. My thoughts and prayers are with Mark and his family.

by Argogator88 on May 14, 2009 7:23 PM EDT reply actions