From Diagnosis to Gratitude

I was definitely inspired by all the ‘voices’ I read. I was first diagnosed with non-Hodgkins Lymphoma in 2001. They found it early and my surgery and treatment was quick. Even though I lost my hair I was grateful that I had survived it. In 2016 I was diagnosed with stage 3 Prostate cancer. I went through a radical prostatectomy in 2017 and ended up going through 4 years of hormonal therapy which clearly changed my life forever. I almost committed suicide on a few occasions but my wife was there with me every second of the way and because of her I got through it. The hormonal therapy stopped because in 2022 I developed bladder cancer. I spent three months going through radiation therapy and chemo-therapy. And somehow I survived it as well. As a result of the hormonal therapy I developed large tumours in both of my breasts and armpits and eventually had a double mastectomy in 2023 to remove the tumours. Luckily they were benign. My beautiful, compassionate wife of 45 years took care of me through it all and I owe my entire life to her. Here I am in the latter part of 2025 cancer free for now and every time I think about it, having survived all of these cancers has just made me stronger and happier. I totally agree that the cancers have taught me much and I believe I’m a far better person because of it. Even though some friends and family abandoned me during my cancers and treatments, my wife, my two puppies and lots of other good friends and family stood by me. Again thank you for all the inspirational stories I’ve read in your ‘Core’. It has just made me a much more appreciative and grateful person. Originally from Sandy Springs area of Georgia.

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