Taking a Chainsaw to Cancer

Like the vast majority of you, Cancer has touched my life personally in the past primarily because it had infected the life of a friend, loved one, or co-worker.  My long time processor Gail successfully beat cancer a few years ago, and after a courageous battle unlike any I have ever seen, my wife’s Father (Dean) lost his battle to this cruel disease.  To witness the hardships cancer fighters must go through on a daily, weekly, monthly, and lifetime basis can be taxing on those around them who so unquestionably care about their health and happiness. Having been diagnosed with an admittedly bleak diagnosis recently, at times it feels like I am a little lost as I trek across unfamiliar territory.

I won’t go into the physical impact cancer and treatment takes on a person.  What I think is even more interesting is the shift in your mindset that MUST happen in order to survive the wave upon wave of mental and physical obstacles that are constantly and uninvitedly thrust into your life.  How can ANY ONE person possibly balance the devastation of learning you have terminal brain cancer, side effects, pharmacy drama, countless treatments and meds, overwhelming medical cost, loss of income, and the strain it causes on your personal relationships?

The answer?  You can’t do it alone!

I am a very prideful Father, man, and business professional.  The idea of asking for help or even accepting someone else’s generosity tears me up inside on a daily basis.  Well, at least it did before I was given this diagnosis.  These days I am humbled by my destiny and I feel like life has dealt me a slightly challenging hand, but this experience and the Hughes Troop movement to bring about positive awareness to Brain Cancer is MY PURPOSE.  So I am very slowly learning to accept the help and acknowledge the compliments you all show me on a daily basis.  Which brings me to why I titled this post as I have.

Cutting Down Cancer in the Name of Fun

A very good friend has been cheering me on behind the scenes since I first was rushed to the ER for brain surgery.  Her name is Amanda McMahan (lives in Texas) and she works for Mortgage Success Source.  Amanda has sent me books, cards from her children and prayed for my health and happiness continually throughout my battle.  One of my own methods I try and implement as a cancer fighting strategy is the idea of trying to slow down and just have FUN… especially with my 3 boys or closest friends.  Amanda knows how much my boys mean to me and she just happens to have a brother, Kenny Cooper a tremendously talented Striker, who plays professional soccer for our beloved Portland Timbers.  I have never been to a game, but the Timbers are famous for the Timber Army’s unbridled enthusiasm.  After sharing my story and most recent video I created with her brother and family, Kenny graciously donated 6 tickets so that I could take my boys and friends to watch the game last night as they attempted and secure the final playoff spot.

I was completely humbled and profoundly honored that in one of the most important stretches of Kenny’s professional career, he would go out of his way to ensure my boys experienced a night that they will NEVER FORGET.

I could only bring Nicholas and Ashton with me because my youngest son Noah (baby BAM BAM as I like to call him) just wasn’t going to play nice that evening.  Having never been to a game, I immediately had to purchase some Timbers gear for Tracy and the kids to show our support and love for our team.  As I arrived back to my seat, a Timbers employee greeted me with an autographed jersey from Kenny himself.  I am not sure if you all saw the flash of light that briefly brightened the Oregon evening skies last night, but if you did, that was my smile when I was given his jersey.  I plan of framing the jersey and displaying it for all to see.  The real joy of the evening for myself, Ash, and Nick though, was watching Kenny score the first goal of the game for the Timbers.  The Timber fans are passionate and noisy, but I would like to think that maybe somehow Kenny could hear our enthusiastic cheer for him above the rest of the crowd… it was truly the PERFECT MOMENT!!

Thank you Amanda, Kenny, Nicholas, Ashton, Tracy, Annie, & Brad for ensuring that I had an unforgettable night!  It was just what the doctor ordered!!