Olympic Champion Scott Hamilton's Story: Testicular Cancer and a Brain Tumor Recurring 3 Times
Although testicular cancer and a brain tumor recurring 3 times threatened to end Olympic champion Scott Hamilton's skating career and life, they ultimately made him stronger.
Almost everyone treated for cancer experiences similar emotions, but in 1997, his stage 3 germ cell testicular cancer diagnosis came at the hardest time in Scott Hamilton's life. He was nearing the end of a 60-city skating tour when severe abdominal pain began seriously affecting his performance.
He thought the pain he had experienced since beginning his professional career after winning gold at the 1984 Winter Olympics in Yugoslavia, one of the world's foremost skating competitions, was an ulcer. He was not ready to learn that a grapefruit-sized abdominal mass was actually testicular cancer.
His mother had died of cancer approximately 20 years before his diagnosis, and he remembered her difficult 2 years of chemotherapy and surgery. Then something remarkable happened: fear gave way to tremendous courage. “I will beat this.” He said this, never imagining he could be so strong.
He always says he would never wish cancer on anyone, but the emotional and spiritual awakening following his diagnosis was unlike anything else. Cancer had touched his life directly. He told his oncologist: “Tell me what I need to do, and I will do it, because I must get back to my life.” These were his words.
The Duel Between Your Life and Cancer
The oncology team at Cleveland Clinic promised to do everything possible to preserve his fertility, minimize effects on his body and athletic performance and reduce his disease burden. Chemotherapy came first, followed by radiotherapy to his groin to eliminate all remaining cancer. Despite facing treatment courageously and cheerfully, he felt he hit a wall during his 3rd chemotherapy treatment. Treatment was costly, and he felt drained of energy and self-esteem. He wanted to give up...
Fear of losing his life and treatment-related fatigue were exhausting. He had to be stronger than this.
Achieving the Difficult, Overcoming It
A childhood illness had impaired his growth, and he thought he would never be as tall as his peers. But he discovered his height suited figure skating and began at age 13. He achieved consecutive records, including United States skating and World Figure Skating championships, and won Olympic gold medals.
He was passionate and determined throughout his professional skating career. Cancer then challenged his lifestyle and dedication to the sport. He said: “Cancer reminds us how precious life is and how resilient we are. After cancer treatment, despite everything it took from me, I was determined to return to skating and regain my form, but I knew my life had another purpose. I simply did not yet know what it was.”
Finding a New Purpose in Life
Cancer treatment and weeks in bed had severely weakened his body and muscles. While receiving postoperative chemotherapy, he happened upon one of his skating performances on TV. Dreaming of returning to the ice, he realized he was no longer only Scott Hamilton but also a cancer patient. Moved by his former performance, he said: “I need to strengthen my muscles and develop my lungs as before treatment. But I know I cannot be exactly as I was; I have changed, and treatment side effects have made me physically and emotionally different. Still, I can improve these things somewhat.” His motivation increased, and he felt emotionally stronger.
Knowing so many wanted to see him well and skating again inspired him. His best memories were of support from friends and audiences. He realized he was not alone in treatment. After his mother's death, he had extensively researched cancer and thought he could overcome it and become a cancer advocate.
Giving Hope to People with Cancer
He recovered after cancer treatment. Soon afterward, wanting to connect patients with similar experiences, he decided to start Cleveland Clinic's 4th Angel Mentoring Program. His oncologist, oncology nurse, family and friends supported him. He wanted to help survivors avoid the confusion and loneliness he felt after diagnosis, offering peer cancer mentoring. He wanted survivors to know they were not alone on their cancer journeys. Nearly a thousand patient mentors were now available nationwide, and the program was recognized as a great success.
Another Life — Unexpected Silver Linings
In many ways, 2004 was a turning point for Hamilton. After seven years of treatment, he no longer had cancer. He had retired from competitive figure skating and begun sports broadcasting. His cancer support work was progressing, as was life with his wife Tracie. At 46, he felt decades remained to do and create beautiful things. Surviving cancer had given him years. Was one life-threatening illness not enough for a lifetime? Surely his coming years would benefit both Hamilton and the lives he touched.
In 2004, he developed a benign brain tumor near the pituitary gland, wrapped around the optic nerve and at risk of spreading to the brain, called a craniopharyngioma . Radiotherapy successfully eliminated this very rare tumor , but it recurred 6 years later, bringing another health challenge.
Craniopharyngiomais a rare brain tumor derived from embryonic pituitary tissue, tending to affect children but also occurring in adults. It may appear at any age, even prenatally or neonatally, but most often begins at ages 5-14 in children and 50-74 in adults. Compression of the optic chiasm can cause varying degrees of visual loss. It occurs in approximately 1 million people at a rate of 1-2 cases.
Surgery to remove the tumor could not be called entirely successful. Although removed, the procedure also caused an aneurysm resulting in temporary blindness in one eye, testing his patience. In 2016, the tumor recurred again, and he chose a different response. He heard a voice inside his head saying “be strong” and says he followed it.
Because the tumor was small, he had time to consider options. He waited, reflected and decided to try a more holistic strategy to shrink it. He knew radiation was no longer an option because it could do more harm than good, and he did not shy away from another operation.
A few months later, a brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan showed no tumor growth. Another scan several months later showed it had shrunk by approximately half. His latest brain scan, in December 2017, showed further shrinkage. It may eventually grow again, but for now he spends more time with family and supports cancer patients and relatives.
Living with Gratitude
In 2014, Scott Hamilton founded the CARES Foundation, funding innovative, patient-centered cancer research (www.scottcares.org). They aim to represent and support a broad community of patients, relatives and researchers, doing their part to break fear and increase hope for renewed life.
Hamilton says: “I had a career I never thought possible, and now I want to use my time to appreciate everything I have. I do not know what the future holds, so I try to live every day as joyfully as possible. I am grateful for all the gifts in my life, particularly my wife and children. For me, living with gratitude is the only way forward.”
STORIES OF HOPE
Sources
"Undefeated"
ascopost.com - April 10, 2018
Was this article helpful?
Your feedback helps us improve our content.
Reader comments
Share your comment
Your name and comment are published only after administrator approval. Your email address is never shown to visitors.
Be the first to comment.