Ron Gibbons

Tulsa, OK

Esophageal Cancer Survivor

Cancer opened my eyes to what's important in life.

Though a follower of Christ, I'd become caught up in the world and out of the Word. In 2003, I was busy with a new sales and marketing job and keeping up with the many sports activities my three sons were involved in & nothing bad, but my priorities were just out of line.

However, when a sore throat turned out to be Stage 4 squamous cell carcinoma at the base of my tongue, life changed drastically.

Shortly after receiving this shocking diagnosis, and while still evaluating where I wanted to go for treatment, I began blacking out -- once while driving -- and experiencing extreme fatigue. Doctors originally thought I was having heart problems, but, later, I learned the tumors in my throat were pushing against my carotid artery, cutting off oxygen to my brain.

The hospital and physicians where I was diagnosed didn't give me much hope with my cancer. So I refused more treatment from them. I'd been trying to decide what to do; the blackouts just accelerated the process. I remembered an ad on television for Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA) and a treatment option called TomoTherapy® which precisely pinpointed radiation to the tumor site. I wanted the least amount of throat damage possible, because speaking was critical to my job. I called for an appointment.

I was failing fast. When I came to CTCA, I could barely walk or eat. The tumors were filling my throat. I was admitted to the hospital, and remember that, from the beginning, the doctors and clinicians filled me with hope. I knew I was in the right place.

I was stabilized, strengthened and had a feeding tube implanted. I then underwent radiation, including TomoTherapy®, and chemotherapy. Following treatment, scans showed three areas still positive for cancer. But surgery a short time later revealed all three areas to be non-cancerous, showing either dead, damaged or calcified tissue. I believe this result was a direct answer to prayer, not only by myself and my family, but by my physician and others who were asking God to intervene.

My latest CTCA scans in March of this year showed no evidence of disease. I'm still going through some speech and physical therapy to help with swallowing, but instead of dying, I'm out looking for a new job, and at CTCA regularly to talk with and pray for other patients.

As part of my cancer journey, I lived with the feeding tube for a year and nine months. The nutrition team worked with me throughout my treatment, tailoring my tube feeding and diet to meet my specific needs.

You don't know how it affects you mentally when you can't eat. Life revolves around food, from going out to eat with family and friends to dropping by for a cup of coffee. I prayed repeatedly for God to let me eat. It took me a long time to realize it's not about me, it's about God. When I changed my prayers to, "When you're ready, God, I'm ready too," it wasnt long before I was able to eat again. I started with mashed potatoes. My first piece of chocolate cake created an explosion of memories in my mouth & of birthday parties, celebrations & so good. I now have a stable healthy diet, high in fruit, vegetables and lean protein sources.

The devil works on your mind and emotions when you have cancer, trying to fill you with doubt. I relied on prayer and Scripture, like Psalm 118:17, "I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of Jehovah," to keep going.

Throughout these last few years, I have seen God intervene in my life with one miraculous event after another in the midst of difficult circumstances and serious financial setbacks, including job and insurance loss and even the loss of home. Hundreds of people prayed for me regularly. People like my former boss and others at CTCA stepped up with financial help for the things we needed most. My wife and I learned how little we could really get by on.

I've learned that God often uses things like cancer to reel you back in to Himself. I know He has plans for me and didnt bring me through this for nothing. Cancer changed my whole life. I've got my priorities straightened out. I'm on my knees daily, thanking God for that day; I take time to appreciate life and family and spending time with them. I'm adamant about sharing my story with people and giving them hope. I've been so blessed. God saved my life, by using the doctors and nurses at CTCA. I prayed for the doctors' hands, hearts and minds before surgery, and they prayed with me as well. Now, I pray for people all over the world that I've met through CTCA. That's a wonderful privilege.