Share Your Story: Tony Bristol

Nine months ago, Tony Bristol was diagnosed with small cell carcinoma cancer of the esophagus. He likes to say it’s easier to give than receive.

00:37: Tony was diagnosed with small cell carcinoma, cancer of the esophagus.02:20: I started getting these night sweats.04:05: It had metastasized in three locations in my liver.05:41: I went to Austria for a week for experimental treatment.06:56: I'm a religious man and I say God show me the right path.07:39: Even the times that I struggle, I look at it as a blessing.12:05: I thought I was at low risk and in great health.13:06: We're all terminal, right? We just don't know when that date is right.14:10: I cried a lot in the first six months.19:06: I wake up every morning, I get on my little exercise bike and do 30 minutes.21:21: I want to see them grow old. I want to see their children.23:34: I'm just gonna love this cancer and let it be my friend too.25:30: And it's weird how it just starts showing up when you start being public.29:25: Magic Johnson was like, Tony, I got you, man. it's 100 [percent] attitude.31:30: We're as a collective humanity; we're all in this together.32:10: What advice would you give your 16-year-old self?35:52: I wanted to show young men that it is okay to be authentic.38:25: What is one thing that you wish you had known at the very beginning of your cancer journey?40:25: If you could do one thing to improve health care in the US and what would it be and why?42:45: Thriver Rapid Fire Questions45:46: What is one resource that you would recommend for cancer patients and caregivers?

Resources

Love, Marriage, and Update on Brain Cancer (Tony interviews his wife)Tony’s Caring Bridge Blog