It has been one year since I woke up from what I thought would be a routine procedure—only to learn that my reality had changed in an instant. What was expected to be a simple surgery turned into something far more serious: a diagnosis of colorectal cancer.
That moment didn’t just alter my health. It reframed my life.
Looking back, the signs were there. For nearly two years, I had been dealing with symptoms that were easy to dismiss—weight gain, brain fog, extreme exhaustion, and occasional gastrointestinal issues. Nothing seemed urgent. Nothing screamed cancer.
Like many men in their 30s, I told myself I was fine. I stayed busy. I kept going.
But I wasn’t fine.
I had my testosterone levels checked. They came back on the lower side, but still within what was considered a “healthy” range. I thought maybe I had slipped into a deep depression. Maybe I was just burned out from work.
At some point, it all started to make me feel crazy.
In the summer of 2024, I finally met a doctor at Birmingham Gastroenterology who truly listened – not just to my symptoms, but to my concern that something wasn’t right. We began a deeper dive, running bloodwork, scheduling scopes, and looking beyond surface-level explanations. I made lifestyle changes, adjusted my diet, took supplements, and worked toward a healthier routine. Some things improved, but deep down, I knew something still wasn’t adding up.
Then, in early 2025, everything escalated.
I developed a growth. At the same time, my energy hit a level I can only describe as debilitating. There were days I couldn’t get out of bed. Days when even taking a shower felt like an impossible task. That was the moment I knew I couldn’t ignore this anymore.
At my follow-up appointment in May, I was referred to a specialist at Grandview. Surgery was scheduled. I went in expecting a routine hemorrhoid removal.
I woke up to a completely different reality.
A mass roughly the size and shape of an almond had been removed and sent to pathology. Following that, additional imaging, including MRIs and PET scans, gave a clearer picture of what we were dealing with. Later, I learned I had Stage II—borderline Stage III—colorectal cancer, with a second lesion involving nearby lymph nodes. It hadn’t metastasized, but it was far more serious than anyone initially expected.
And while that diagnosis brought fear, it also brought an unexpected sense of validation. Deep down, I had known something wasn’t right. For years, I had felt it, questioned it, and tried to explain it away. In that moment, I finally had answers. I finally understood what my body had been trying to tell me all along.
At the same time, I felt something I didn't expect — embarrassment, and even a bit of shame. It's not something people openly talk about.
As I researched colorectal cancer, I came across James Van Der Beek, who had been diagnosed just two summers before me. Seeing someone speak openly, advocate, and share their story gave me a different kind of strength.
After hearing of James Van Der Beek’s passing in early 2026, I felt even more compelled to share my story and to emphasize something that cannot be said enough: early screening is crucial. It saves lives.
I began treatment at Grandview Cancer Center in August. Through 30 rounds of radiation and chemotherapy, I experienced a level of physical and mental strain that was agonizing to get through at times.
As a father and a husband, my strength came from wanting to be there for the moments that matter most. The everyday things we often take for granted suddenly became everything.
In December 2025, I received the news I had fought and hoped for: I was in remission.
As men, we are conditioned to push through discomfort. To minimize symptoms. To avoid slowing down. We tell ourselves we’ll deal with it later. We convince ourselves it’s stress, age, diet—anything but something serious.
But here’s the truth: your body whispers before it screams.
And if you don’t listen, it will eventually force you to.
If there is one thing I want other men, especially those in their 30s, to take from my story, it’s this: Pay attention to the signs. Advocate for yourself. If something feels off, don’t ignore it. Don’t settle for being dismissed. Keep pushing until you get answers.
Because your life is worth that fight.