Stephen Brown
“I got through the dark days by remembering that everything is cyclical. As bad as the day was, I knew that tomorrow had the potential to be something better.”
In his mid-40s, Stephen Brown began experiencing symptoms including fatigue and difficulty swallowing. After a series of appointments, bloodwork, scans, and tests, he was diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
A self-proclaimed “fitness and endurance junkie” who has competed in hundreds of races — including 27 marathons and 13 full iron distance triathlons – Stephen never dreamed of a diagnosis as serious as cancer. “I was convinced that the diagnosis was a mistake,” he says. “I couldn’t comprehend how someone who races triathlons and marathons for ‘fun’ could possibly be diagnosed with a form of leukemia.”
Stephen’s cancer journey then began, where for two decades he underwent various treatments — including more than 50 rounds of chemotherapy and many different oral medications — and yet, he says, the impact on his life has been unexpected.
“Yes, the disease has humbled me. But it has also given me a greater sense of ‘why’ and meaningful purpose,” Stephen explains. “I applied many of the same coping and adaptivity skills and mechanisms used in endurance sports to my disease and treatments, and it helped tremendously.” Over the years, Stephen managed his physical and mental response to treatment through meditation, deep breathing techniques and, he notes, patience with himself: “I solidified my own understanding of controlling the things that were in my control but letting go of the things that were not.”
Today, Stephen continues to participate in races and is now a certified cancer exercise specialist who helps other patients and survivors in their efforts to stay active and healthy. His best advice for others facing a diagnosis is to be collaborative with your care team: “Write down your questions if need be and bring a support person with you to appointments to help understand the wealth of new information you’ll need to digest.”
The passage of time in Stephen’s journey, as he lives with his chronic form of cancer, informs his outlook on cancer research: “I’ve lived with my disease for over 20 years, and the drugs I’m on today were not in the picture when I was first diagnosed. Research gives us better and better treatment options.” He urges those going through their own journeys to seek out positivity, when they can: “Remember that you have the disease, but the disease doesn’t have you. Remember that all bad days will come to an end. And on the other side is the possibility of an amazing day.”
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Stand Up To Cancer raises awareness and funds research to detect and treat cancers with the aspiration to cure all patients. Find out how you can get involved.
