Each year at this time, I am filled with hope as the opportunity and new growth arrive with each spring. This year was even more special for me. Although the first day of spring is technically March 20, I tend to start the party on March 17, and this year I had a third big reason to do so.
Early in life, as I celebrated St. Paddy’s Day, I arrived at UGA and joined my fraternity, which remains a central component of my life. The bonds and brotherhood I found there reach nationwide and across generations. Our circle was founded on March 17, 1906, at the University of Miami in Oxford, Ohio.
Decades later, also around the Ides of March, I found myself suddenly battling aggressive colon cancer last year, discovered during a routine colonoscopy. Despite an initial tough prognosis, I underwent major surgery on March 7, 2025, when I spent 8.5 hours on the operating table under the skilled hands of my surgeon, Dr. Cici Zhang, at Northside Hospital in Sandy Springs.
Dr. Zhang removed a 4-centimeter tumor, 40-some-odd lymph nodes, and my entire colon. The cancer was identified as Stage 3B high risk, T4N1M0. The long name for my adenocarcinoma with signet ring cell features, along with a less-than-optimistic prognosis, was concerning. Still, I was determined to keep a positive attitude and send this cancer packing.
Surgery came on March 7, and I was up and walking the next day. My daughter and twin grandsons were among a steady stream of visitors. Many joined me for laps around the hospital floor, accompanied by my handy IV pole and new attachment: an ileostomy pouch.
The latter took some getting used to, with more than my share of embarrassing moments. By day 10, I was back on solid foods, learning to handle the bag change, and ready for discharge on March 17, 2025.
I transitioned to the ongoing care of an extremely talented oncologist, Dr. Kathleen Lambert, and her team at Georgia Cancer Specialists. April brought a chemotherapy regimen on one end of the spectrum, and on April 25, a beautiful and healthy third grandson on the other end.
My daughter, Barclay Carson (eight months pregnant), her husband, and the Mighty Mites (the grandtwins) welcomed me into their home and an in-law suite. This suite gave me privacy, quiet when desired, and daily help from the entire Carson family, just a flight of stairs away.
The chemotherapy did its job, though managing day-to-day life was a challenge. The side effects are real, unpleasant, and at times quite difficult to manage, but staying through the pain is required to rid the body of the rapidly growing cancer cells. I grew accustomed to managing the stoma bag and attempted to resume a mostly normal life.
I started walking every day and, by early fall, began a morning Tai Chi practice to start the day. On Nov. 7, after a second major surgery, I said goodbye to the stoma bag and hello to my new J-pouch, a “bionic” colon primarily comprised of roughly 18 inches of my small intestine. That, too, took some adjustment, but is greatly preferred to having plumbing “on the outside.”
As there was a possibility that last spring might have been my last, I recalibrated my life and now make a more conscious effort to choose happiness and kindness toward others. In addition to the Tai Chi, I added two or three yoga practices each week, and with a Fitbit keeping me honest, I log 40,000 to 50,000 steps each week, translating into 10 to 15 miles of walking.
Still, I don’t have all my old stamina back. On the good days, I think I’m at about 85 percent, but I will get there. Now six months since those first N.E.D. (No Evidence of Disease) results, my oncologist reminds me that regular exercise, a healthy diet, and a positive attitude are the best things I can do to keep the cancer at bay.
I feel strong, with a healthy attitude and gratitude to so many of you for the kind words, prayers, warm thoughts, and even hugs in the Kroger parking lot from complete strangers. I felt it all and know it has been part of the healing, as well as my attitude.
Now, I’m looking forward to the rest of this spring, with many more to come. Seriously, what a difference one year can make!