more of Chuck's Personal Story as a Cancer Survivor
July, 2004

The past 5 years have been great! In 2000 I ran and completed the Columbus Marathon, Columbus, Ohio. It wasn't the 3 hours and 30 minutes I had been training for in 1997 to qualify for the Boston Marathon. Instead, it was a 5 hour and 47 minute effort. My Prostate Cancer medications ballooned my weight from 175 lbs. to 210 lbs. and no amount of exercise could budge it below that. Nevertheless, I experienced great joy as I galloped across the finish line, threw my hands up in victory, and collapsed into the arms of a volunteer.

I continued to train for marathons and compete in shorter local races over the next year. I returned to Columbus in October 2001 to run my second marathon. A high fever two days before the race nearly forced me to withdraw. But, the fever went down on race day and I decided to start and go as far as I could. I felt great at 10 miles and thought about finishing, but reason prevailed and I stopped running and walked over to the finish line to watch finishers. I got there in time to cheer for the first two women finishers who I had met the day before at a press conference.

In 2002 my wife was diagnosed with a rare Cancer (Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma of the lacrimal gland). She had surgery and spent the summer having proton beam radiation. A sprained knee and taking care of her kept me from doing a lot of running. In 2003 I returned to running with determination to finish another marathon despite gaining another 20 lbs. I managed a 10 mile hill run before I pulled a hamstring and was forced to quit for the year.

Early in 2004 I was diagnosed with Cancer of the Esophagus. I am now waiting to learn what treatment options are available to me.

While I wait I intend to continue chasing chipmunks, squirrels, turtles, and birds while running local trails.

December, 2005

Late 2004 I had several tests and laparoscopic surgery to remove the tumor from my esophagus. Alas, the margins were positive. In December, 2004 my entire esophagus was removed along with the top of my stomach. After the surgery I had a very bad colon infection. I lost 90 lbs. by the time I was eating again.

I began running in late April. By September I was able to run a decent 5 mile race. Now a year later I am driving patients to their chemo and radiation treatments for the American Cancer Society. I am pleasantly surprised by the great attitudes that most of them have.