I was a 32 yr old who was in my prime (physically) of my life when cancer tried to pick on me. non-smoker, non-drinker, healthy active lifestyle, exercised regularly, and then suddenly, death sentence cancer diagnosis (gbm4). On my way home from work one day, I literally went limp from mid-torso down and fell like a wet noodle. After a quick trip to the Emergency Room for an x-ray, my wife and I learned that I had a mass (of some sort) on my brain. A short while later, a CT scan confirmed the mass. I was admitted to the hospital after the results of an MRI were reviewed. Long story short, I had a 6.5 hour long brain tumor resection procedure. Without a pathology report, I do not know how my surgeon and neuro-oncologist knew this, however they were confident I had glioblastoma multiforme grade 4 (aka gbm4) neurological cancer. 3 weeks later, a pathology report confirmed the diagnosis. surgeon and oncology doctor estimated I had 6-8 month life expectancy followed by a “you will die from this.” As of June 23rd of this year (2025), i will become a 16 yr survivor of a death sentence diagnosis. My surgery was 1 day before the 1 year anniversary of my mother-in-law’s death from metastatic cancer. our poor daughter who turned 5 just 3 weeks before my procedure heard everything the doctors shared with us. Later that night at bedtime, with tears in her eye, our daughter turned to my wife and asked, “Does daddy have that C-word like mamaw had? Is daddy going to be the next person to die and be with Jesus? Will he go see mamaw soon?” After my wife shared that with me I absolutely broke. If I fight for anything, it was going to be for my baby girl. I got on my knees and begged God to give me enough time to someday walk her down the aisle at her wedding. well i am a soon to be 16 year survivor and she will be getting married on August 2nd. Praise the Lord! I can honestly say that I am a better man today because of my battle with cancer back then.
