Climbing Higher

At 14,200 feet, Chris Ganser’s trek up Longs Peak in Colorado turned into rock climbing. He was exhausted both physically and mentally and wanted to turn back. While trying to empty his urostomy pouch into an empty Gatorade bottle with one hand, and clinging onto a rock with the other, he thought, “I didn’t survive cancer twice just to fall to my death.” So he pushed through his fears and finally made it to the summit.

How could a man who had his second cancer surgery just eight months earlier to remove more of his colon, prostate and bladder achieve such a feat? He didn’t stop working out! As Director of Training Strength and Conditioning for Athletic Republic in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, thirty-nine-year-old Chris coaches individuals every day. He figured out how to adapt exercises to reduce strain on his ostomy and has been working hard to rebuild himself. He wears the Hollister New Image two-piece urostomy pouch because, in his experience, this product offers him the flexibility and security he needs for his active lifestyle.

“My biggest hurdle was convincing myself that this was my reality; I had to get over it and do what I had to do to press on,” explains Chris.

This was no easy task since he had lost 52 pounds after surgery and his energy level was not what it used to be. Chris was not a novice to illness. At 24 he was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, and thanks to an experimental drug and exercise, he was cured. Then he was diagnosed with stage III colon cancer at 34, resulting in his first surgery.

Chris’ wife Jennifer has been his guiding light through the peaks and valleys. Their son Christopher Jr. was 12 years old at the time of his father’s first surgery. Just 15 days later, his grandfather passed away from esophageal cancer, so worry set in. Chris and Jennifer were not quite sure how to approach the subject.

“A cancer diagnosis is not something you want to say to a child,” says Chris. “He had to grow up a bit quicker in the world of oncology.”

After Chris’ second diagnosis, he and Jennifer walked into their son’s room together and reassured him that the surgery would be a successful procedure. They also encouraged him to openly ask questions and to vent if he needed to.

Chris never knew that his journey with cancer would lead to a passion to help others affected by the disease. Following his first battle with cancer, he got involved with the Colon Club, an organization whose mission is to educate young adults about the risk factors, genetic precursors and symptoms of colorectal cancer. After hearing his story, the Colon Club asked to feature him in the Colondar 2.0, their magazine featuring young adult colorectal cancer survivors and their stories.

“I started to realize that this was not about my ability. This hike was about promoting and encouraging health and wellness within the colorectal cancer community,” says Chris. “It was also about building hope and encouragement among survivors and those touched by this disease.”

Chris is also a strong advocate in his hometown and state of North Carolina. He has shared his story to inspire others by advocating in commercials, news interviews and magazines. He won’t stop there—he plans to keep climbing. Thanks to his passion for fitness, his zest for advocacy and his family, Chris can tackle any mountain.

Check out Chris’s blog at mycanceredlifeblog.wordpress.com for all of his adventures.