Early in 2019, I started to experience an uncomfortable feeling whenever I sat down on a hard surface. Little things like riding my bike or just resting on a bench started to hurt a little. At first, it wasn’t that bad, so I just ignored it and hoped it would go away on its own.
I’m 62 and I live in Bristol, Pa., with my wife Maryann. Between the two of us, we have four children and eight grandchildren (with another on the way). I also have a large extended family, and I work full time as a contractor. Needless to say, I’m a pretty busy guy!
I have been an EMT and a firefighter for 35 years. It started out as a hobby when I volunteered in high school, and it turned into a career. Thankfully, the job has kept me in good health and helped me remain in shape.
However, through my job, I had seen people at the end stage of their cancer journey. Whenever I saw a case like that, a little thought popped up in the back of my mind that it could be me one day. So, when I was diagnosed with colon cancer, I was nervous.
Unfortunately, because of COVID-19 precautions, my kids couldn’t be with me when I rang the bell to celebrate my last treatment in May. However, I was able to finish treatment with all the same nurses and staff who were there from the very beginning. They became like family to me.
