This is an opinion piece.

Mike Argo probably knew it all along.

However, if there is one thing the last four months in particular have taught him for sure, it is this:

“Life is about the journey. You never know when it might be over.”

Mike Argo was one of the first high school football coaches I met when my sports writing career began in Gadsden in the early 1990s.

He was the offensive coordinator for the Gadsden High Tigers under head coach Vince DiLorenzo. Charles Nails was the defensive coordinator. What a group. Together, they helped the Tigers to the 1991 Class 5A state title. They beat Blount 20-7 at Prichard Stadium in the title game to finish a 14-0 season.

Mike and I – really all four of us – were good friends. We weren’t too far apart in age. Mike even rented me a house. The address – 615 Tracy Street – is engrained in my mind for some reason. I drove by there last summer in fact. Good times.

However, the last few months haven’t exactly been good times for Argo. The 60-year-old, who retired to Lake Neely Henry two years ago after a 33-year coaching career, developed an often deadly condition called Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis. It’s a disease that causes scarring of the lungs. Idiopathic means it has no known cause.

Mike has never been a smoker. He’s taken care of his body, even after retirement.

This condition literally came out of nowhere.

“At the end of last summer, I had a dry cough,” he said this week. “It didn’t seem like anything that bad. It dragged on and I went to the doctor in late November. At that time, they thought maybe I had the flu or pneumonia. A couple of days later, they called me and said it looked like I had Pulmonary Fibrosis.

“That scared me to death.”

Mike continued to seek treatment, spending four days in a Gadsden Hospital in December as his breathing deteriorated before ultimately seeking a clearer picture of his health in Birmingham.

“I went from riding a stationary bike and working in the yard and building stuff and getting in 10,000 steps some days and all of a sudden it just went down,” he said. “It puzzled the doctors. They don’t know what caused it.”

Argo checked into the hospital at UAB on Jan. 16. He hasn’t been home since.

Doctors told him without a lung transplant, his life expectancy could be anywhere from 2-4 years. If nothing was done to his lungs, his life could last another three months. That would be enough to scare anyone.

Argo found comfort and confidence in his faith.

“I told everyone it was a win-win for me,” he said. “Either I get to go to Heaven or I survive and go home with new lungs.”

Argo went through all the necessary tests to join a transplant list shortly after he was admitted and, within a few days, his name was on the list. Obviously, that alone didn’t guarantee he would receive new lungs. He never lost in sense of humor throughout the process.

“They told me my chest had shrunk because my lungs had deteriorated so,” he said. “They told me they were looking for a 5-foot-3 female to be a donor. That kind of hurt my feelings.”

While waiting – hoping – to get a call with new lungs, Argo and his family contacted longtime Birmingham TV anchor Rick Karle. Karle posted Argo’s story on his “Good News” Facebook page. Argo is sure it helped.

“This started with God and also the power of prayer,” he said. “Rick Karle’s post got so many responses, and I’m sure so many prayers. One of the doctors told me they were just working for the good Lord, that He was controlling everything. They were right. There is no doubt that is true.”

Yes, prayers do work.

Last Wednesday, Argo fielded a call saying they may have found him a set of lungs. The very next night he had his surgery and a new outlook on the future.

“I have three children and two grandchildren,” he said. “I would say my No. 1 motivating factor in getting through this was those kids. I want to see what they are going to do, be a part of them growing up.”

Mike’s three adult children – Murray, Michael and Maegan – obviously have been major factors in his recovery along with the numerous doctors and nurses who have cared for him and everyone who has been praying throughout his journey.

Mike is progressing well with his new lungs, but there is still quite a long road ahead. He’s still at UAB and expects to be in Birmingham until mid-summer. Not surprisingly, he compares it to a football game. Everything went well with the scripted first drive (transplant) but there are more than three quarters of recovery left.

“I hope I can go home in July,” he said. “But they have to be careful. Lungs can catch so many diseases. The body can reject them. I’ll probably be here another week. Then, I’ll have to rent an apartment in Birmingham so I’m close to the hospital for daily checks.

“But, in July, the pontoon boat is cranking up again.”

Mike hasn’t been told the name of his donor. He should know that down the road, but he is certainly thankful. He said he hopes his story helps people in some way.

“I think it will,” he said. “No. 1, you don’t know how long you are going to be here. Enjoy every minute. Make sure you have faith. I am at peace. If it was my time to go, I was ready. I would miss the kids, but I can’t wait to see Heaven. It is going to be awesome.”

Indeed, it will be.

But, for Mike Argo, it will have to wait, and I’m glad.

I live outside of Mobile now and every time I ride by Prichard Stadium, I think of that Dec. 13, 1991, night when the Tigers knocked off Blount to win the state title. A classic game with classic coaches and players on both sides of the field.

Good times indeed, and I’m glad my friend will have some more in the future.

Save me a spot on that pontoon boat, my friend.

Thought for the week

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” – Jeremiah 29:11

Ben Thomas is the high school sportswriter at AL.com. He has been named one of the 50 legends of the Alabama Sports Writers Association. Follow him on twitter at @BenThomasPreps or email him at [email protected]. He can be heard weekly on “Inside High School Sports” on SportsTalk 99.5 FM in Mobile or on the free IHeart Radio App at 2 p.m. Wednesdays.