I am Tom.

In July 2009, I began my transformation journey three months removed from chemotherapy as a recent cancer survivor at age 32.

For most of my 20's, I lived an unbalanced life, with too much emphasis on work and not enough time for my personal life. I seemingly took steps to solve that a few years ago when I left my job in San Diego and returned to Denver.

As I began recovering from the long hours, stress, poor diet, and probable depression, several setbacks occurred. First, I broke my foot in a soccer match, requiring surgery. I allowed this setback to halt my resolve. Everything changed in Dec 2008. Testicular cancer claimed me, as it does to about 50,000 men worldwide between the ages of 15 and 35 every year (incl. 7,400 Americans). Fortunately, I was blessed to have caught it fairly early. After surgery and an intense chemotherapy regimen, I achieved remission in March - on my birthday of all days. It can take months to rid the body of chemo and there can be permanent side effects (chronic fatigue, slower metabolism).

Two years have passed. I attend regular screenings every few months and will decreasingly do so for the next three years, praying it will never come back. I've learned that you don't beat cancer; if you're fortunate enough you survive it and do your best to thrive in a better life. It could come back.

The only thing I can control is making my body and mind as unwelcome a place as possible for this cancer, or any of its other ugly friends (e.g. diabetes, other cancers). I can control this aspect of the fight through proper diet, training, giving back to my community, surrounding myself with love and renewing my spiritual self. The whole experience made me realize what's truly important in this life; I am done putting off the life I want and being the person I want to be. I'm now transforming and becoming the change. I’m not just here to survive, I’m here to THRIVE!

American Cancer Society, Make-a-Wish CO, MyLifeLine

Being the best person I can be physically, spiritually, professionally, and within the community I belong. I believe we all experience successes and challenges in life, and it’s how we handle both of them that define who we are. For me, I chose to turn this cancer experience into a positive turning point in my life. I want to continue to learn, grow, and make changes to improve myself and the world in which my family, friends, and future friends live.

For me, transformation began with recovering from cancer treatment, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. That has become the foundation of personal change and growth. Cancer reminded me that life is a sacred gift and I had better appreciate it more. Transformation (in addition to some other important people) is teaching me how best to honor that gift. One of the most important things I’ve learned is the universal power of our connection. Within that power is a strength I had never known. Anything can be accomplished when we surround ourselves with support and goals that were never even considered possible in the past, become achievable.

My current goals (specifically measurable goals with deadlines!) are within my blog.

I intend to never let cancer have me, even if I have had cancer.

I intend to take these five years of survivorship leading to up cured status and thrive; not just recover but become better and improve continuously.

I intend to make permanent physical, mental, nutritional, spiritual, and charitable changes to my life and grow every day.

I intend to listen and follow the guidance offered by God every day.

I intend to do hard things that I never thought possible before.

I intend to be a better son, brother, friend, and eventually husband and father.

I intend to be the change and make a difference in the lives of others.

My family, friends, and future friends.