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HAPPY RETURN Chancellor Michael Hooker(right) arrives at a meeting of the Chancellor's Cabinet on Jan. 25 to start a full workday one week after starting chemotherapy. |
Chancellor Michael Hooker returned to his typically hectic work schedule only a week after undergoing chemotherapy to treat his recently diagnosed non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
Hooker actually returned to his office within days of his treatment, squeezing in some part-time work while recovering from chemotherapy treatment. He also worked at his home office, although he said his energy level varies from day-to-day.
By Jan. 25, though, he essentially was back to a full-time schedule, starting the day by attending a Chancellor's Cabinet meeting. He expected to attend the Board of Trustees meeting later in the week.
"I plan no interruption in my work schedule, but I have to stay away from crowds as long as I'm undergoing chemotherapy," Hooker said. "Fortunately, I have an office set up at home that is just like my office in South Building, so I can switch back and forth without skipping a beat."
Hooker said he was humbled by the outpouring of support he received from the University community, as colleagues and friends called and e-mailed their offers of support.
"The strongest impression I have after a week of knowing I have cancer is that of the comfort provided by the outpouring of support and affection I've received from all over campus and all over the state," Hooker said. "It greatly sustains me and makes me realize how fortunate I am to be serving an institution that so respects its leaders."
Lymphoma is a cancer of the lymph system, according to Lee R. Berkowitz, a professor of medicine and a member of the team treating Hooker.
The diagnosis came after Hooker checked himself into UNC Hospital on Jan. 19. He was supposed to leave on a nine-day business trip to Thailand the next day but had been unable to shake a lingering flu-like illness and fatigue. Tests led doctors to conduct a biopsy, which revealed the lymphoma.
The ongoing treatment will require Hooker to return to the hospital every few weeks for six more rounds of chemotherapy. Hooker said the plan is to receive treatment on Fridays so that he can rest over the weekend and not miss any work-weeks.
Doctors believe Hooker should make a full recovery.
"We are optimistic that the chancellor will have an excellent response to the treatment," Berkowitz said.
Hooker praised the medical staff at UNC Hospitals, thanking them for great work.
"I am also lucky to have such good doctors and such a good medical center to draw from," he said. "UNC Hospitals being so close and so convenient for me makes me extremely grateful."
In addition to praising the excellent medical care at UNC Hospitals, Hooker thanked and praised his administrative team.
"By just about every measure or standard of assessment, we are on a roll, and frankly, that makes it easier to deal with my cancer," he said. "I would stand our vice chancellors and our deans up against any such cadre in the country, confident that we would stand head and shoulders over the rest."
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