How I beat cancer and celebrate living my life to the fullest

Written by Donald Geagan

November 20th is an important day for me. This last one marked the 19th anniversary of being diagnosed with bladder cancer. I was diagnosed at UCLA in 2002 and underwent treatment for five days in the hospital. All of this followed a joyous occasion of celebrating my brother’s wedding.

Following treatment, I received positive news my cancer was in remission. For 15 years, I went back to the doctors to follow up. In 2017, it had returned. But I had the support system around me to fight. Norma, who still works here at Momentum today, took me bright and early to surgery on November 9th, 2017. It required a 39-day hospital stay and recovery from serious side effects including two infections. When I was finally released for home, a fever developed, forcing another 17-day stint in the hospital. Thanksgiving in the hospital isn’t quite like being at home…

During this time, my parents too struggled with health issues themselves. I feel incredibly grateful for the support I had during that time. If it wasn’t for the Momentum staff, my brother and my sister-in-law, and Don Sr. I don’t know what I would have done. Kathy and Josie came to visit me in the hospital and Cameron busted me out of there after 56 days in the hospital.

Now at home, I reflect over the past few years and where life has taken me. I am doing art class every Thursday and I am watering the flowers every other day and tend to the garden. I am living life to my fullest and feeling great! As we continue to navigate through the COVID-19 pandemic, I am looking forward to fun activities again, such as the Starlight Ball this month and taking a trip to Universal Studios Hollywood. I can’t believe my good fortune and I am very thankful.