A Christmas Miracle?? Maybe.

I’ve got an extraordinary, uplifting story to share this Holiday Season.? It’s a personal story of hope and healing that I’ve kept private until now.? I’ve decided to share my story because I hope it will be helpful to others…even if it helps just one person.

Many of my friends and clients may have been wondering what I’ve been up to these past 18 months because I’ve been virtually absent from public life.? Well, the short answer is that I’ve been battling esophageal cancer linked to acid reflux.? Who knew?? In our business acid reflux is a thing.? It’s normal - and ?TUMS are a welcome friend.? Tip #1:? Don’t ignore “heartburn”.?

In April 2022 (Friday the 13th in fact) I was informed that I had stage 3 cancer and that I could begin a tri-modal treatment with chemo, radiation then surgery to remove and reconstruct my esophagus.? My cancer team from MD Anderson Cooper Hospital informed me that there was a newish treatment (about 2 years old) that had only recently been approved by the FDA.? Tip #2:? Medical technology is constantly changing and improving.? A cancer diagnosis today is not the same as a cancer diagnosis even a few years ago.? There are reasons to be optimistic.? There are cures!

My prognosis was encouraging and without delay I started daily radiation and weekly chemo for several months.? This turned out to be relatively easy for me.? The first two treatment modes (chemo and radiation) had very positive results and surgery was scheduled for September. ?I was told that the surgery was complicated and would take about 8 to 10 hours and that I would be on a feeding tube for 5 or 6 weeks while I healed.? Then, I could resume a normal diet and a normal life.

If you’ve ever authorized a surgical procedure form, you know there is always a fine-print disclaimer stating your chances of something going wrong…and you never think it could be you… well, think again.? Tip#3:? Be prepared for the worst.?

Although I have no memory of waking from the surgery, my wife was informed that the original surgery was successful.? No one expected that in the next few days I would get an infection, ?and no one expected that I would need a second surgery to remove everything that was just “fixed” in the original surgery, and no one expected that I would end up in a coma lasting 40 days (almost seems biblical).? My organs and systems were failing.? I needed blood, dialysis, insulin, a breathing tube, tracheotomy, with dozens of tubes and drains and dreaded bed sores.? Unbeknownst to me, I was “on my way out”.? My children were saying their good-byes.? ?I also later learned that there were people in prayer chains praying for my recovery – people I didn’t even know.? How wonderful to learn that people cared...for me!? I’m humbled and forever in their debt.

Almost 2 months had passed while I slept in my coma in the ICU.? My poor family was by my side every day.? While my scars were healing, my wife sat with me, reading to me, playing my music, talking to me, bitching at me, threatening me to wake up and not to leave or else?? ?This was a time of extreme emotional ups and downs – especially for her (after all, I was just taking an extended nap).? Guys, you know how your wife gets when you want to take a 30-minute nap.? Now imagine a 40-day nap. Yikes!

Miraculously, I woke up in November.? I was alive.? I lost 60 pounds.? I couldn’t walk and couldn’t take any food or liquids by mouth. My vocal cords were damaged in surgery, and I had no voice (literally).? ?I had a feeding tube and a “bag” coming from my throat (sparing details here)…but I was alive.? Tip#4:? Never give up and maybe, just maybe, technology and prayers work best together.?

After another month in the hospital for physical therapy rehab, I regained enough strength to walk and climb a flight of stairs and was allowed to come home in December. ?I was overjoyed.? ?I was home with my family for Christmas.? My “job” was to heal…to gain weight and regain my strength so that I could get prepared for yet another surgery to create a new esophagus.?

During the winter, I got stronger and in May 2023, I had a third surgery to reconstruct an esophagus.? Another 10-hour event only this time, my new esophagus would be created from a section of my colon – placed from my throat and attached to my digestive tract.? They had to remove part of my collarbone and a rib to fit that piece of my colon, but it was worth it.? This procedure was a stroke of surgical genius.? I will forever be impressed by this innovative approach.? My medical team are amazing.? My stomach was gone but I was informed that I would be able to consume food and liquids again in a couple of months.?

After a week or so in the hospital I was allowed to go home and by July 4th, I was able to have a burger at our family BBQ.? I had my vocal cords fixed and now I can be heard too!? I could even have a beer!? Things were looking up.?

Fast forward, now it’s Christmas time 2023, almost 16 months since my first surgery.? And, although I’m still recovering, I’m feeling good, almost great…and feeling incredibly grateful for the love of my family, the care from my medical professionals and the prayers from friends, family and even strangers.? I’m almost afraid to say it out loud - but I am now “CANCER FREE” and receiving Immunotherapy to help keep it that way.? ???

I feel that God is not yet finished with me and that I have more to do with my life.? I’m still figuring it out, but my hope is that this story inspires people who may be suffering or know people suffering from devastating illness to remain vigilant, positive, and grateful.? New medical treatments get approved every day.? Hang in there!? Tip #5: Hug your friends and family - you may never know just how much we need each other…until we do.?

I’d like to extend a special thanks to my wife Susan, my kids Paul, Adam, Kristin and Marc, their spouses and my 11 awesome grandbabies for their crayon cards and facetime pick-me-ups.?

If I can be helpful to anyone, please let me know.? Merry Christmas and I wish you a Healthy Happy New Year!!