In 2021, I started having pain in my left leg. I visited my family doctor, and at first we thought it might be a deep vein thrombosis. When we ruled that out, I saw a vascular doctor in case it might be varicose veins. That doctor had me get an MRI, and after those results came back, I had to get a biopsy. That’s when the doctors confirmed that I had a stage IV tumor in my leg.
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.
