Steven Gaffney
Part II
Part II
by Rodney Wayne Branche
Copa: Thank you Steven for sharing your experiences with business in Part I. Now we would like to move on to your experience with dealing with cancer.
Steven: Well, I was diagnosed in 2009, I was totally shocked. I never thought that there was any possibility of me getting cancer because I always took care of myself. The biggest thing is that nobody in my immediate family experienced cancer so it just didn't come up as a possibility. What I learned from that experience is that cancer is a random thing. You can do all of the right things in life and there is always the possibility that you or your loved ones can get it. This is when I clearly understood just how random it is. Anybody at any age depending on the type of cancer can develop this disease, it definitely altered my life.
Steven: Well, I was diagnosed in 2009, I was totally shocked. I never thought that there was any possibility of me getting cancer because I always took care of myself. The biggest thing is that nobody in my immediate family experienced cancer so it just didn't come up as a possibility. What I learned from that experience is that cancer is a random thing. You can do all of the right things in life and there is always the possibility that you or your loved ones can get it. This is when I clearly understood just how random it is. Anybody at any age depending on the type of cancer can develop this disease, it definitely altered my life.
Copa: What type of cancer did you have?
Steven: I had testicular cancer, that's one of the few cancers when the doctor looks up at you and explains that they know exactly how to treat this and you will be essentially cured...and I was. So I was very fortunate. Most cancers are not that easily taken care of and they aren't so sure of the outcome. The treatments were challenging but I was never in doubt about how things would turn out for me.
Steven: I had testicular cancer, that's one of the few cancers when the doctor looks up at you and explains that they know exactly how to treat this and you will be essentially cured...and I was. So I was very fortunate. Most cancers are not that easily taken care of and they aren't so sure of the outcome. The treatments were challenging but I was never in doubt about how things would turn out for me.
Copa: What was the duration of your treatments?
Steven: That's a difficult question to answer because after I had surgery the issue was if I would need to undergo CHEMO. In my case my markers were not at the level to receive the treatment so I decided to wait a few months. Ultimately later the markers did increase so I had to undergo three rounds of treatment and the total treatment lasted nine weeks.
Steven: That's a difficult question to answer because after I had surgery the issue was if I would need to undergo CHEMO. In my case my markers were not at the level to receive the treatment so I decided to wait a few months. Ultimately later the markers did increase so I had to undergo three rounds of treatment and the total treatment lasted nine weeks.
Copa: How has this experience with cancer changed your life?
Steven: Yes, it changed me in many fundamental ways, It made me realize that you can't bank on time. You can live a very healthy life and you still don't know. For instance, one of my Grandfathers lived up to 99 years of age and my other Grandfather lived to 66 but he smoked. Then I had a Grandmother who lived until 88 and my other Grandmother died at 93.
I always thought that I would live for a long time so It's random for me and also random for others. So you can't really put many things off, You have to enjoy life to the fullest every day. The second thing it made me realize is that you can't bank on other people being around forever, you just don't know. The third thing I realized during this experience is that you find out who your friends are. You find out who your true friends are not during the good times but during the worst of times. Everyone during the good times want to be 'part of the party.' When times are tough you really get to see who steps up, I was surprised at some of the people who let me down.
Steven: Yes, it changed me in many fundamental ways, It made me realize that you can't bank on time. You can live a very healthy life and you still don't know. For instance, one of my Grandfathers lived up to 99 years of age and my other Grandfather lived to 66 but he smoked. Then I had a Grandmother who lived until 88 and my other Grandmother died at 93.
I always thought that I would live for a long time so It's random for me and also random for others. So you can't really put many things off, You have to enjoy life to the fullest every day. The second thing it made me realize is that you can't bank on other people being around forever, you just don't know. The third thing I realized during this experience is that you find out who your friends are. You find out who your true friends are not during the good times but during the worst of times. Everyone during the good times want to be 'part of the party.' When times are tough you really get to see who steps up, I was surprised at some of the people who let me down.
Copa: Speaking of good friends, how did you meet the Chair of "We Will Survive Cancer," Gayela Bynum?
Steven: I was introduced to Gayela by a good friend that was undergoing a situation and that's how we bonded. We stayed in touch and Gayela has continued on to do great work with the WWSC where I'm honored and proud to be the 2018 recipient of the "Celebration of Life Award."
Steven: I was introduced to Gayela by a good friend that was undergoing a situation and that's how we bonded. We stayed in touch and Gayela has continued on to do great work with the WWSC where I'm honored and proud to be the 2018 recipient of the "Celebration of Life Award."
Copa: What was your first reaction when you were informed that you would be honored?
Steven: My first response was, "Why me?" I never looked at myself as anyone special.
Steven: My first response was, "Why me?" I never looked at myself as anyone special.
~Copa