NORWOOD PARK — Taft High School principal Mark Grishaber and his doctors are "very encouraged" after his first round of chemotherapy treatments, he wrote in a note to the school's staff Monday morning.
Grishaber was diagnosed with leukemia last week, after leaving his post for an abrupt medical leave. As of Monday, he remained hospitalized for treatment.
The principal underwent three rounds of chemo, which went "very well" with "no side-effects," he wrote. "As it turns out, Cancer is very scared of Taft Eagles, which is good. My second 3 rounds are scheduled for [Monday] and then it's rest and relaxation for a few weeks."
Grishaber added that he is "reassured of complete remission by everyone who are the experts" at Rush University Medical Center, where he is undergoing treatment.
Following an appeal from the school's alumni foundation, Grishaber was inundated with packages and get-well cards, he said.
Students, meanwhile, have covered the wall outside his school office with supportive post-it note messages.
Eagle Nation sending me inspiration! That's why WE are the best high school. This year's IB attribute. ...caring! pic.twitter.com/swYMRYSfhq
— Mark Grishaber (@GrishaberMark) December 3, 2016
Grishaber ended his note by promising that he "will return and be back to normal before too long," calling his bout with cancer a "learning experience."
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