“Nobody is immune to cancer.”

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In July of 2000, on my 54^th birthday, I was diagnosed with colorectal cancer.  My first reaction was, how could this happen to a vegetarian triathlete?  I had spent the last 18 years taking care of my health, training and racing marathons and short distance triathlons.  I felt at the peak of my physical condition.  As the news settled, I realized that nobody is immune to cancer.

Six months after undergoing an abdominal resection and starting my recovery process, things again did not go according to plan.  The cancer returned, and I underwent further surgery and aggressive chemotherapy and radiation treatments.  I realized that I needed a place where I could share my emotions.  I was very fortunate to find The Wellness Community-West Los Angeles.  I looked forward to the weekly support groups and formed close relationships with people with whom I could talk comfortably about my fears and aspirations.  I definitely believe that participating in support groups at TWC-WLA helped me get through my medical treatments and improved my quality of life.

My lifelong dream prior to my cancer diagnosis was to complete a full Ironman triathlon.  The distances for this race are: 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike and 26.2 mile run.  All three segments are to be completed within 17 hours on the same day. With my cancer diagnosis, I had strong doubts as to my ability to ever accomplish such a challenge, but this dream kept me going when I was in a reclining chair watching a large bag of chemotherapy cocktail seeping into my veins and motivated me to return to training afterward.  But, at age 60, just when I was going to sign up for the Florida Ironman, I learned that I had a 90% blockage of my coronary artery.  I underwent angioplasty and a stent was placed in my heart. 

A triathlon is like life.  The cardinal rule is “expect the unexpected.” The weather can be hot or cold, windy or calm, you may bonk on the run or feel great and cruise to the finish line.  It is also hard to predict your mental state, which is as (or more) important as your physical state.  So on November 4^th, 2006, I jumped into the ocean with 2,000 other triathletes.  It was a cool and windy day. The wind broke the waves into my face and made it difficult to breathe. The first 50 miles on the bike were against the wind so I had to slow down considerably.  Since each event had its own cut-off time, I had to bike much faster during the second half to meet the time limit.  The run was my strongest event and I passed many people who were walking.  When I got to mile 20 with 6 miles to go, I knew that I could finish within the time limit.  I got excited and emotional.  About 100 yards before the finish line, my wife, daughter and son met me, and we all finished the race together.  It took 15 hours and 57 minutes; I was exhausted but elated. 

During the race I never considered quitting.  I felt that I was doing it for all the cancer and heart disease survivors, and older people.  Today, six years later, I continue to participate in an alumni support group at TWC-WLA, and I share my experiences and encouragement as a support group leader for newly diagnosed cancer survivors at TWC-WLA where I was helped in my time of need.