Dan W.’s Story
My name is Dan W. and I am a cancer survivor living in Kamloops, B.C.
Over the years, it was never a thing for me to check for lumps, bumps, rashes, dry skin, or monitor my morning business. Meanwhile, my wife constantly used skin creams, moisturizers, sunblock, performed breast self-exams and had regular doctor check ups as recommended. This was how she found breast cancer at an early stage in her thirties.
That time was incredibly difficult, especially with young children and me working full time at a new job. The good news is she survived, our kids are now having their own and life goes forward. We separated over twenty years ago. Between then and now, both my parents courageously fought an ugly battle with cancer and lost. So, I have some familiarity with the awful disease.
I always thought cancer was not going to be a thing for me. How wrong I was.
In December of 2018, I was diagnosed with Stage 2 & 3 Melanoma on the top and left side of my head. My doctor told me that five years ago he would be telling me to put my affairs in order. We had lots to do and quickly that January of 2019. Not only that, but I was also possibly facing losing up to 30 per cent of my scalp.
It would take a heck of a lot more writing to describe my emotions and epiphanies that followed over the next few weeks as lengthy appointments, testing and surgery that took place.
With further tests, it turned out I also had cancer in my right kidney and two spots in my right lung. Suddenly doctors and specialists filled my daily dance card while I continued to work. When you live and work in a town where family is far away, work becomes a means of support. I had awesome support from everyone at my workplace.
Then COVID-19 hit. Again, much more to say, but for me, it worked in my favour. Outside of emergency and the COVID-19 ward, the hospitals were almost empty. Appointments were always on schedule, hospital staff were friendly and supportive (I had several different hospital stays) and due to COVID-19, there were few wandering visitors, if any at all.
Through it all, I fought hard to keep the thoughts of dying to a dull roar. Instead, focusing on the recovery and conversations with other patients and their lives. As a pseudo journalist, I loved hearing other patient’s stories. They gave me hope while staying away from the anxiety of my own mortality.
Throughout my treatment I had to travel twice to Vancouver for PET Scans and twice to Vernon for my initial diagnosis. I also had to travel to Kelowna for my lung surgery.
After surgeries, my treatment was to be immunization therapy. At the time, a very new way to approach cancer. My head is okay. I was blessed with a good head of hair. I only lost less than 10 per cent of my scalp with a skin graft from my left thigh. I still have two thirds of my right kidney and half a right lung. No wigs, hair grafts or extensions required.
I was dismissed from the Kamloops Cancer Clinic in April of 2023. I am grateful and thankful every day for how I was treated by all my caregivers and co-workers.
But cancer did not stop there.
In March of 2024, my oldest dearest friend was diagnosed with brain cancer. Fifty-eight years old, with a twenty- and sixteen-year-old daughter and a successful career he now fights for his life.
This is my point.
For all you healthy, young men full of vitality and carefree days in the sun, please apply sunscreen often, wear a hat, sunglasses and more if necessary. Just do it. Cancer can’t and won’t wait.
- Dan W., Cancer Survivor