Bill Potts chronicles lessons from his cancer journey to help others
The athletic father of three came to learn of his thyroid cancer diagnosis in March of 2002. It came as a shock to Bill, an ironman competitor and successful national business leader. As he entered his early forties, Bill understood all about the challenges of patients in the midst of a cancer fight. Like most of us, he had friends and family members that had been through it. He just didn’t expect he would be one of them.
“I did what most people would do and reacted with disbelief. I went to my doctor for advice on treatment,” he explained. “I met with my assigned care team and their staff oncologist, and they prescribed a typical treatment for my cancer type. I honestly wasn’t ready to question their direction and was simply ‘hoping’ that they would get it right.”
Bill received a heavy dose of Iodine 131, a material similar to the radiation released at Chernobyl. The hope was that the radiation would knock out the cancer and Bill and his family would continue on with their lives. But their hope was short-lived.
“Your Cancer is Back…You Need More Radiation!”
These dreaded words Bill heard just in time for his next Christmas. After adjusting to the diagnosis, he did something people often overlook. He requested a second opinion. Bill shared, “I’ve now learned through my own research on this subject, that approximately 25% of the ‘type of cancer’ diagnoses are wrong. And of the 75% that have the correct diagnosis, 40% of the ‘cancer stage determination’ is incorrect! That means you may be getting the wrong treatment at a time when every minute matters. You simply must do your own research and always, always request a second, or even third opinion.”
To his surprise and joy, the diagnosis was incorrect, and he was cancer free. However, in 2008, Bill was diagnosed with a new type of cancer. Stage 3 lymphoma, a blood cancer. His particular type was labeled “incurable.”
It was clear to Bill that cancer treatment was still a relatively young industry, and researchers were learning and growing in their treatment options and outcomes. His advice to all cancer patients is to choose an institution that has deep knowledge and experience with your specific cancer. Find one that has a statistically successful track record treating your specific disease. There are 61 National Cancer Institute-designated centers, and he encourages everyone to get a first or second opinion from one of these centers.
“It was an epiphany for me when I realized that I had to both trust the doctors, and challenge them at the same time,” he said. “I had to find my voice and be a caretaker of my treatment outcome. I knew then that I had to approach this fight the same way I have approached most things in life. I had to ‘own’ the journey.”
Owning the Journey
What “owning the journey” meant to Bill was that he would approach this phase of his life as he had with everything else. An admitted type A personality, Bill demanded a lot out of life, but he always put the work in. As an Ironman competitor, he already understood the benefit of physical discipline and mental toughness necessary to compete. This new race would be different, but he could rely on these life lessons to help him create the most favorable outcome.
Bill’s resolve was also strengthening. He resigned himself to a long race, not unlike his Ironman competitions, where the mental game was as important as the physical one.
While in remission after his fourth stint, he decided to begin capturing his experiences and his journey. He reflected on his journey and certainly counted himself lucky. Up to this point, he had survived Thyroid Cancer, a misdiagnosis of a return of the Thyroid cancer, Stage Two Lymphoma, Stage Three Lymphoma and Prostate Cancer.
He created a short list of the key factors that helped him through his survival journey, such as:
Physical – The importance of treating your body as the temple it was created to be. Avoiding the bad components and consuming more of the good. It’s the timeless advice we humans have ignored for eons. For instance, an interesting fact Bill shared was that obesity is linked to about 40% of all cancers. Lifestyle and personal choices matter.
Emotional – Continue to find meaning and purpose in life. Deal with the facts as you know them and make your life decisions in line with that. If you are on borrowed time, take care of the business you need to. If you have a treatment plan, live an optimistic life.
Relational – Remember the importance of people and keeping those you love close to you. The life you lead during this time will become part of your legacy. If it is your time, those around you will be inspired and motivated by the way you dealt with this stage of your life. Regardless of the outcome, each day is a gift and treat others as if they are a gift.
Spiritual – Rekindle your connections to God and your faith. Do not obsess. Remain calm in all cases. Worry and fear are the worst enemies in your fight. Bill believes that God did not do this to him, He did it for him.
Cancer Comes for a Fifth Time, and a Book is Born
In September 2020, the cancer came back with a pain Bill knew was serious. Diagnosed as Stage Four Lymphoma, he explained, “It was like nothing I ever felt.”
“I don’t know if I’m up for the fight this time,” he told Tanya, the hospital chaplain. “Bill,” she said, I believe that God puts angels in your life when you need them. I am your angel.” With her face just inches away from him she said, “I want you to turn your pain into purpose! You must write a book to help others.”
And so, he did. “It’s the book that I wish someone else wrote for me,” he said. Published in September of 2022, the book Up for the Fight, How to Advocate for Yourself as You Battle Cancer, is now widely available.
“Life is precious,” Bill says. “We never seem to take enough care of ourselves, our loved ones and our spiritual life until we are in crisis. I hope this book helps people navigate their journey more effectively and to remind us that an adversity like this can serve as a reminder of the good we experience every day.”
Source: Personal Interview