Comedian Buddy Harris, as seen in photos taken before and after his battle with stage 2b testicular cancer.
I am not a writer. I am not a professional trainer. Nor am I a nutritionist.
So, what am I? I’m a boyfriend, a father, a comedian, I’m a picker, I’m a grinner, I’m a lover, and I’m a sinner. Okay, some of them are Steve Miller Band lyrics. Here is what I am most importantly, regarding this blog: I’m a person that has fallen down and is fighting to climb back up. I am a person, like so many of you, that refuses to just accept my current circumstances: I am a warrior.
Before I talk about the climb, I should explain my fall.
Another lifetime ago, I was destroying myself. I smoked, I ate poorly (Taco Bell knew me by name), I drank and my idea of exercise was running to my car when it rained. I was unhappy and had low self-esteem. After some life awakening experiences, I changed. I quit smoking, drinking, and fast food. I started running. Each day I set goals to run just a little more than I did before, and then one day, I set out to run a marathon—which I finished. I know what you are thinking. I sounded super annoying…and you are probably right.
That was fifteen years ago. Since then, a lot has changed. I
grew a love for the gym and lost my appeal for running. I started a family,
changed careers, started chasing my dreams to become a comedian, got a divorce,
started eating fast food again (oh, how I missed you Taco Bell), and I met the
woman of my dreams. The one thing that has stayed constant, is my desire—and
also struggle—to give myself the time I need and deserve to stay healthy. Over
the years, I have learned tricks to keep healthy while juggling everything
else. A way to cheat the system, I guess.
I know what you are thinking; I still have not explained my fall. That, and
what is my obsession with Taco Bell?
I recently had cancer. Some would say I beat cancer. I’m not ready to say that though. I had stage 2b testicular cancer, and now I don’t. The doctor’s beat it. Medicine beat it. My fight just started.
While I am cancer free, damage has been done. My left testicle is gone (if anyone finds it at Walmart’s Lost and Found, please return it to me), I had a second surgery to remove 23 lymph nodes out of my abdomen, I had six weeks of somewhat intense chemo, lost my hair, my eyebrows, feeling in my left hand, a total of 35 pounds, my strength, and to be honest, some confidence and pride.
That was my fall, and even though I use the word lost, I really mean traded. I have also gained a lot. I gained new friends, a deeper understanding of love, humankind, community, a greater appreciation for life, and most importantly, a new outlook on how to live my life.
This is the start of the rebuild. It is time to gain back what I lost. I will be monitoring and sharing my journey through things like my diet, exercise, my setbacks, my thoughts, and through other people’s stories that inspire me, just as I hope to inspire you.
The title of this column, is “Our Rebuild” because this is not about me. This is about all of us. We have all fallen at least once. We can all use some inspiration and positivity. We all have a story to tell.
See also:
Comedian Buddy Harris To Write Column For North Penn Now
Local Comedian Overwhelmed By Support Following Cancer Diagnosis
Northbound 309 Backup Caused by Camel Tow [UPDATED]
Deck The Walls Art Show Draws Crowd To Lansdale
Charity Punk Show Raises Nearly 100 Toys for Kids
