When I was 14 years old, my father passed away from a form of Lymphoma. He was 36 years old. I don’t know a lot about what type he had, or how long he lived after he was diagnosed. My best memory is that he was sick for a couple of years.  Cancer was not talked about back then, and certainly not to the children. Once I was told that his disease was fatal, I had one day to say goodbye. It was Christmas time.

When I was 24 years old and newly married, my mother passed away from an inoperable cancerous tumour at the base of her brain. She was 45 years old. It was Christmas time. I was her eldest child and lived through every doctor’s appointment, every test, every diagnosis, and every minute of her illness. I had two years to say goodbye. 

I can tell you honestly that both those scenarios are equally horrible.

At age 36, with a wife and two young daughters, I was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. They told us that I had a form of the disease that progressed very slowly, and while there were many different types of chemotherapy treatments, there was currently no cure. It was Christmas time. 

The doctors told us that because I had no symptoms that were problematic at that time, they were not going to begin any treatment. I was to go home, and let the disease progress until they felt it was time to begin treatment. That was the strangest and most helpless feeling. We did not tell the kids, because there was really nothing to tell a 6 and 8 year-old that would be understandable.

We lived this way for two years until it was time for treatment. Chemotherapy was my full time job from May through October that year. I went to the cancer clinic and received it intravenously. I was given two kinds of chemo on alternating weeks with one recovery week in between, where I was in bed with the worse nausea I have ever experienced.  We brought the kids into the clinic so that they could see where I went everyday and that receiving the medicine did not hurt me. It was recommended that I use a separate bathroom in the house because the drugs were so toxic, and could be harmful to my family.  These drugs ran through my body for six months. It took another four months for me to recover from the treatment and get back to work.

That was twelve years ago. While I am still checked regularly, I have not had to go back for more treatments. There is an argument as to whether I am considered to be in remission, or considered cured. I am just thankful to be healthy, strong and alive.

For many years after my treatment, it was quite easy to put it behind us and almost pretend like it didn’t happen. I didn’t want to talk about it much. I just wanted life to return to normal.

Turning 50 changed some things for me. I decided not to take my good fortune for granted and I started taking care of my body.  I began working out regularly and was happy with how my body responded. The stronger I got, the more I appreciated the fact that I was here and able to do this. 

During this time, I heard an ad on the radio about the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada’s Team in Training and everything seemed to fall into place for me.  It seemed a perfect way to celebrate my good fortune, instead of forgetting my experience with this disease. I attended an information meeting in January, joined the Team immediately and trained to run my first race – the BMO Vancouver Half Marathon in May. Inspired by my accomplishment, and knowing what TNT’s talented coaches could do for me, I then signed on with Team In Training to complete the Vancouver Triathlon on Labour Day. My next goal is to train with Team In Training to run my first full marathon next May.  Since I joined the Team, I am reminded everyday about what I went through.  I am no longer trying to forget it.  Instead, I am thankful that I am able to turn my experience into something positive in order to help others. 

Team in Training is a group of special and dedicated people who give so much of themselves to fight blood cancers. Most of the participants are not cancer survivors.  They are just ordinary people who are fighting and fundraising very hard for this important cause - sometimes on behalf of a friend or family member, sometimes just to be part of something bigger than themselves. Every event is filled with emotion, enthusiasm and a lot of fun. It is a special group to be a part of. For that, I feel very lucky.

Al will be one of the participants in this year's BMO Vancouver Marathon. If you're interested in finding out more about Team In Training, visit www.teamintraining.ca/bc and come to one of our info sessions. This coming season, the Team will be training forBMO half Marathon on May 6, 2012 and the Dodge Rock 'n' Roll San Diego Marathon on June 3, 2012 in San Diego California!