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Staff photo by James McAuley
Michael Wells, laughs with his sister Paige Morgan Tuesday, July 6, in their parents home in Middletown. Wells lost his tongue to cancer. Staff photo by James McAuley
Man loses tongue to cancer, but finds God
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By Rick McCrabb,
Columnist
10:33 PM Wednesday, July 7, 2010
MIDDLE TOWN — During the first 42 years of his life, Mike Wells — misguided by drugs, alcohol and smokeless tobacco — never spoke to God.
He didn’t need Him.
Now, after those addictions cost him his tongue, nearly his life, Michael Eric Wells talks daily to God.
Wells resembles a blind man who sees the best in everything.
As his mother, Margie Wells said, “he’s a different man today.”
Wells, a 1985 Carlisle High School graduate whose career in the Marines was cut short by an arm injury, felt a bump on his throat late last year.
No worry, he thought.
But when the biopsy came back, it was malignant. He had stage 4 tongue cancer, or as his father, Paul said: “the big C-word.”
The news, while devastating, brought the Middletown family — Paul and Margie, and their three grown children, Scott, Paige and Mike — even closer.
“We all got cancer when Mike did,” said his older brother, Scott.
He was talking figuratively, of course, but two weeks later, Paul Wells was diagnosed with prostate cancer. Paul Wells said his cancer was caught early, so his prognosis is good.
Don’t look for the father to feel sorry for himself. “People get cancer all the time, but you don’t lose your tongue,” he said while sitting in the family room.
Late last year, Mike had three months of radiation, and several rounds of chemotherapy. His mother described the mask he wore during the treatments as “real sobering.”
His tongue was removed on May 10 during an 11-hour surgery at University of Cincinnati Hospital. Surgeons removed skin from Wells’ stomach — his belly button is six inches off center — and formed a flap or tongue.
Still, he can’t talk. He scribbles words on a notebook, lips words that only his mother understands and, along with his family, is learning sign language.
He began voice therapy this week.
After surgery, Mike lived with his parents, but he has returned to his home with his wife, Sherry, and 10-year-old son, Nic.
Wells, who once weighed 330 pounds, now tips the scales at 196 pounds, which, believe it or not, is 27 pounds heavier than he was after the cancer surgery.
Leave it up to a mother to put the cancer crisis in perspective: “Mike took it hard. We all took it hard. But we have faith in God, and as long as you have faith, you’ll be OK.”
Later, when Wells was asked where he wants to be in five years, his mother added: “Nothing but good will be the outcome. I won’t accept anything less.”
When asked if he ever wishes he was dead, he shook his head. Why not?
“For that guy,” he lipped.
That guy is Nic.
“He’s got to be there to see that little boy grow up to be a man,” his mother said.
That brought a smile to Mike Wells’ face.
No words were needed.
Contact this columnist at (513) 705-2842 or rmccrabb@coxohio.com.
How to go
What: Benefit for Mike Wells
When: 2 to 10 p.m. Saturday, July 10
Where: 2830 Cincinnati Dayton Road, behind Club CinDay
Cost: $10 for a single; $15 for a couple. Includes entertainment and food
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First off i would like to apologize to you for your misunderstanding of my previous post. As I stated before I Truly do wish Mr Wells and his family the best I was merely stating an observation I made of the story. Good luck on your recovery Mr Wells and please accept my deepest apology.
7:36 PM, 7/13/2010
Something I learned from my husbands ordeal - make the most of each day - don't sweat the small stuff (and most of it is SMALL STUFF) - what goes around DOES seem to come around and GOD LOVES EVERYONE ....even Agnostic and those that try to benefit from the hardship of others.
I love you my husband,
Sherry
11:34 AM, 7/13/2010
First of all, you obviously don't know Middletown because the benefit is in a campground BEHIND that place. It in no way, shape or form is in a bar.
And, if you don't have anything NICE to say about a family that has gone through hell and come back, then I have pity on you.
WE LOVE YOU, MICHAEL!!!
5:50 PM, 7/8/2010
3:43 PM, 7/8/2010
12:59 PM, 7/8/2010