When I was told I had cancer , my knees buckled. The team of doctors there told me I had 1 option- Chemo & exploratory surgery. I wanted a second opinion. I got 2 more, both said the same thing. I declined. The last one had me scheduled for a port & surgery the next day. I freaked out - I decided against Chemo , I was ready to pass. I never told my son, I guess I didn’t want to ruin his high school. I figured he’d notice and ask . Then I took a Hail Mary shot and went to the best cancer hospital in Philadelphia. A nurse told me not to surrender, she was welling up- and I told her, chemo killed 2 of my grandparents, I’d fight it . I got in a study for people that chemo didn’t work for. Pure luck . It’s the most successful drug combating stomach cancer, 100% success rate. I took 6 needles twice a week, the one to the stomach was a 12 inch needle. I remember being scared, naked in a ready for my ultrasound and I broke. My favorite nurse came in and just held me. I never felt more alone or more accepted. I still hadn’t told my wife I was dying. I was gaining weight eating tuna fish, cucumbers & tomatoes . I don’t know where I’m going with this - but I rang that damn bell. As much as I loved me doctors, the nurses and music kept me sane.




















