John’s story: you are never alone with Wellspring

For John, being diagnosed with Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) at age 72 was less of a shock and more of an awakening — a path leading to a more intentional way of living.

“I know it sounds odd, but I kind of love what cancer did to me. It woke me up and made me become hyper-focused on what’s really important in life, like family and connection and living in the present,” said John.

John’s diagnosis, which came during a visit to the ER in Lethbridge in 2024, was likely several years overdue, given that routine bloodwork nearly a decade earlier showed an unusually high white blood cell count. According to the ER doctor, who John now counts as a blessing, this elevated number that somehow went unchecked was likely an early warning sign of CLL.

“There is no point being angry, upset, or resentful that it was missed — my GP was probably tired and worn out like we all get sometimes. So, my attitude was, let’s just deal with what’s in front of us today. Right? ‘Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift. That’s why they call it the present,” said John, quoting cartoonist Bil Keane.

John is deeply grateful that his type of cancer is slow progressing, and he hasn’t had to endure the harsh side effects of difficult treatment.

“All I do is take is 4 pills a day — no other treatment at this point in time. Fatigue is really the only side-effect. I know how lucky I am, and this is why I’ve been able to maintain a positive attitude. Lucky me — grateful me,” he said.

Another reason John feels he has been able to take cancer in stride is that he had a brush with death in 2021, when he spent six weeks in hospital fighting COVID.

“I was in and out of a coma for days on end; it was really rough. I would say it was almost like a miracle that I survived at all. So, this cancer feels like a piece of cake compared to that experience,” he said, adding that after the ordeal, he received a note from the nursing staff, saying his indomitable spirit was an inspiration to all those who tended to him in the hospital.

Living in Lethbridge, John was introduced to Wellspring’s Cancer Connect program, where he met others walking a similar path.

“I’m kind of a loner by nature — so I didn’t embrace it the way some do, but I’ve taken a few programs and it’s nice to meet others who are in the same boat. You do benefit from the companionship, sharing and connecting — for me it has helped me get out of that lone wolf mentality,” he said, adding. “But really, people like me, Wellspring is incredible in terms of being there with care and support for you when you want it or need it. You never feel alone.”

In the days ahead, John plans to hold onto optimism by embracing a mantra that has become his guiding light — a powerful line from the 1994 film The Shawshank Redemption.

“You can get busy living, or get busy dying … I’m choosing to get busy living,” he said.