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By David Lea OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF Town Council gives Max Khan warm welcome that maybe this time I won't be so blessed." While such thoughts did enter his mind from time to time, Khan said he was fortunate in that he had so many visitors, he was often occupied and didn't have time to think about his fate. The councillor said he was motivated during this period by the people around him, his religious faith and faith in Canada's medical system. While Khan said his blood counts are improving, he still has several sessions of chemotherapy to complete, which he says may keep him away from some future council meetings. A key point in his treatment, he said, will be to see what happens when the chemotherapy treatments stop and the cancer either grows back or goes into remission. "Normally you're in a kind of danger area for five years," said Khan. "It is a healthy kind of paranoia because if you get a cough or feel dizzy you go and get checked out. This makes you monitor your body better." For those in Oakville undergoing cancer treatments, Khan offers the following words. "Cancer treatment has come a long way from where it was 20 years ago or even 10 years ago. The chances of survival are a lot higher today. We have more competent oncologists and hematologists," he said. "You really need to start depending on your family and friends to almost nurture you through this process. It's okay to rely on others, which I learned. It brings a sense of humility, but it's okay to be dependent on others and welcome their good wishes." 3 · Thursday, February 16, 2012 OAKVILLE BEAVER · www.insideHALTON.com He's back. Ward 6 Town Councillor Max Khan returned to council, Monday, following a nearly four-month absence as he battled a relapse of nonHodgkin's lymphoma. Khan's return prompted a wave of hugs from his fellow councillors and kind words from Oakville Mayor Rob Burton who brought out a `Welcome Back' cake at the end of the evening's meeting. "You really had us worried for a while there," said Burton. "Welcome back and it's delightful to say you're the picture of health." Khan said it's great to be back and pointed out returning to council and to his legal practice, on a limited basis, brings a sense of normalcy back to his life. "It's very rewarding being back," he said. "I'm overwhelmed by the support and the prayers and the well wishes of the Oakville community." Khan said the events that led to his absence began in late October when he began feeling ill, lethargic and started experiencing dizzy spells. Doctors initially found cancer cells in Khan's spleen, but worse was to come. "The plan at that time was going to be to remove the spleen eventually. They believed at that time the cancer was only restricted to the spleen, so there wasn't an imminent concern," said Khan. "Unfortunately in a matter of three weeks the cancer had spread well beyond that. It had spread to my abdomen, to my liver, and of course it was in the spleen. At that time, I was pulled into emergency right away. They pulled me in and they wouldn't let me go home." Khan was eventually taken to the Juravinski Cancer Centre in Hamilton where he began chemotherapy. Things were rough for a while as, Khan said, he lost about 40 lbs., after the first few chemotherapy sessions, which weakened him to the point that he was completely dependent on others. During this period Khan admits he wondered if he would beat the cancer, which had previously tried to take him at age 22 and again at age 27. "You want to be a fighter," he said. "Even though you want to rise to the challenge and think this is going to be something you are once again going to overcome, it's only human to have that thought in your head among those who welcomed back Ward 6 Councillor Max Khan (centre) during Monday night's council meeting. Khan returned following a nearly four-month absence while battling cancer. RETURN TO COUNCIL: Mayor Rob Burton and Ward 2 Town Councillor Pam Damoff were DAVID LEA / OAKVILLE BEAVER Inside Opinion.............................................6 Travel..............................................18 Health.............................................19 Sports..............................................21 Classified........................................27 Partial Delivery: Tiger Direct, Pharma, Guardian, FreshCo, Food Basics, Metro, Bulk Barn, Oakville Swim Academy, M&M Meats, Hardwood Giant Centre, Domino's, Jysk, Kia, 2001 Audio, The Bay, Longos, Michael-Angelo's, Sobeys, Superstore, Fortinos, No Frills, Shoppers Drug Mart, Bank of Montreal, Best Buy, Centennial Windows, Canadian Tire, Direct Energy, Future Shop, Pharma Save, Sears, Staples, Zellers, Walmart For home delivery & customer service call (905) 845-9742 Mon., Tues. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Wed., Thu., and Fri. 9 a.m.-7 p.m. (open for calls only after 5 p.m.) Closed Sat. and Sun. 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