JWT - Volume XXVIII
Joe’s Wolfpack Trailblazers
August 2022
For the last couple of summers I have joined my fellow colorectal cancer survivor, J.J. Singleton, in planning a fundraiser for Fight Colorectal Cancer. It is known as the 'CLIMB FOR A CURE' for colorectal cancer. Participants climb trails and peaks all over the country. Our climb is located in the North Carolina mountains at Mt. Mitchell State Park, and it is the highest peak on the eastern seaboard of the United States.
There are days you can mark in your survivorship from cancer, and this is one of those days. I spent much of that day with a group of cancer survivors, caregivers, and friends climbing that mountain which is 6500 feet above sea level. We could’ve chosen an easier route but we decided on one of the most difficult ones to reach the summit of Mt. Mitchell. I’ve taken this route before, but this year was especially hard and taxing on my body. Maybe it was my age or side effects from chemo I endured in the past, but I wanted to give up a third of the way up the trail. As the higher altitude was starting to play havoc to my body I just wanted to turn back.
A gentleman named Todd Broadus was behind me and would not let me give up. He is a caregiver for his wife Sarah who is battling stage IV colorectal cancer. He said the same thing my oncologist told me when I was diagnosed with cancer. He said ‘I've got you and I’m gonna help you get through it’. Sarah gave me gum to chew to help regulate my heart rate because of the high altitude. J.J. Singleton was in front of me and was there to offer me an arm to grab onto to get through those rocky points of the trail. He himself just had chemotherapy three days prior to the climb. Luke Holland, another survivor, grabbed my backpack and carried it when he thought it was going to be too much for me. He also reminded me to stay hydrated as we continued to hike up the rocks. All these friends helped me get through the trail that day and to climb that mountain as we headed to the summit together.
I couldn’t have gotten through the climb if it wasn’t for the supportive group of friends that wouldn’t let me give up — even though I wanted to. We were there for each other every step of the way and moved as a pack together, in the same way we support each other in The Howling Place group every day. It wasn't as much about the loss of physical strength, but the emotional support and mental toughness we gave to each other. It is why Trevor Maxwell created The Howling Place Group on Facebook for men to support each other in the fight against cancer. This is how we KFG and no one fights alone. If you know a man struggling with the burden of cancer, our doors are always open.
In early September — less than a few weeks away — Trevor, myself, and about 60 men from the Howling Place Group are coming together for 'The Gathering Of Wolves,’ a weekend retreat in upstate New York. It is something we have dreamed and hoped for as we have grown as a community since the Howling Place opened on Jan. 1, 2020. This gathering will be the first time many of these men will meet each other in person. We have been supporting each other in the group and virtually for a couple of years. We have survived the isolation from cancer and Covid.
Now it's time to come together and celebrate our survivorship in person. This month I have a few men sharing their excitement about joining this historic event. Thanks to J.J. Singleton, Jim Little, and Keith Hollingsworth for contributing to this month's article.
— Joe Bullock, lead administrator, Man Up to Cancer - The Howling Place (Also known as The Wolfpack)
JJ Singleton
J.J. Singleton
Canton, North Carolina
Stage 4 colorectal cancer
Cancer changed my life in every way possible. For years I was isolated and had pushed so many people away, and had actively avoided groups and organizations dealing with cancer. Then July 2020 came and I was asked to join Man Up To Cancer’s Howling Place Group. This was a decision that started a change in my life and especially life with cancer.
This group has given me connection and confidence to speak about issues that mean alot to me. Most importantly being part of this has given me hope in ways I thought were impossible, every member inspires me to do and be better. Some might say I'm a more well known member, but to me each and every wolf in the pack is the Man and a huge inspiration that helped and continues to help shape me.
The Gathering of Wolves is going to be epic in every sense of the word. First time meeting so many people that are so close to my heart. And to be able to do it in the relaxing get away setting we are going to be in epitomizes what I think this group is at least to myself. To be able to finally meet, hug, share a laugh, drink and be emotional in whichever way is comfortable to you is going to be beyond amazing.
I’m blessed to be alive, blessed to be in this group, blessed to be going to the Gathering of Wolves. Y’all make this life with cancer a little easier and more worth doing.
Jim Little
Jim Little
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Stomach cancer
Jim Little is a support group junkie. Or he might prefer the term self-help enthusiast. Either way, he is a cancer survivor who has found tremendous positivity in the power of connecting with people, and he’s passionate about sharing his story to help others – especially other brothers.
“I belong to four different cancer support groups: the Wellspring Men’s Group, a GI Cancer support group run by Tom Baker Cancer Centre, My Gut Feeling run by the Stomach Cancer Foundation of Canada, and a U.S. based group called Man Up To Cancer,” said Jim. “Support groups are a wonderful tool – there is research to back this, talking is helpful for cancer survivors. I especially enjoy the conversations with men. Men typically have a habit of pushing their emotions down and not reaching out for help, so when we do, we really tend to relate well.”
Another survival tool for Jim is his guitar. Since being diagnosed with Adenocarcinoma of the stomach in 2019, he has found solace in the magic of composing and playing. “Throughout my cancer journey, music has been my favourite place to go – a place where time stands still,” he said. “For the past few years I’ve been very focused on creating, writing, producing, playing and recording. I’m kind of a one man band – I play and record all the parts of my songs myself.”
Jim will be attending the Sept 9-11, 2022 Man Up to Cancer Camp retreat in Duffield NY. He is excited to finally connect face to face with all the cancer survivors and brothers he has been chatting virtually with during Covid. KFG brothers!
Keith Hollingsworth
Keith Hollingsworth
Lafayette, Indiana
Stage 4 colon cancer
My name is Keith Hollingsworth. I am a 42-year-old Stage IV colon cancer survivor who was diagnosed on May 5th of 2021. I currently live in Lafayette, Indiana, with my wife and two boys.
My diagnosis was a shock to me and my family as there is no history of any cancer in my family. I was at my oldest son's baseball game and began having extreme abdominal pain that continued to get worse throughout the night until the decision was made to go to the ER. Upon going there and getting a CT scan the doctor came in and let me know there was a mass blocking my colon and I would be getting prepped for emergency surgery. He mentioned at that time that it was more than likely a cancerous tumor.
That sent a shock to my core as I was not expecting any of this and due to Covid I was there by myself due to no visitors being allowed at that time. I made the call to my wife to let her know what was happening. Upon the surgery where they took out a portion of my colon as well as some lymph nodes it was also discovered that there were 3 lesions on my liver as well. I began treatment shortly after that surgery when my recovery was completed. I completed 12 rounds of FOLFOX as well as a colon and liver resection which all were successful and I was able to dance in the land of NED (No Evidence of Disease) for about two months before a recurrence showed up in my lungs. I am currently back in treatment with Xeliri + Avastin and just completed my 5th round.
The time after my emergency surgery was a very dark time. We were left with a million questions, an appointment with an oncologist four weeks away and much to the unknown. As we all know our friend GOOGLE can be our friend or our worst enemy. When I started to research my disease, prognosis etc., it was all very dark and bleak looking and impacted my mental health in a drastic way. “Dead man walking” is what I liked to call it.
Shortly after this time I discovered two groups that have had a significant impact on my attitude – Man Up to Cancer and COLONTOWN. Both of these groups have given me so much hope, information, and support. It was instrumental to be able to have a “group of guys” that understand the weight of this diagnosis, how it impacts our thoughts, actions, and more importantly how important it is to share and let some of these emotions out. MUTC has provided an outlet for me to learn from others, provide support where I can add value, allow me the space to vent, and more importantly develop relationships that I never thought possible.
When given the opportunity to meet many of these WOLF BROTHERS in person my answer was “When do I leave?” I’m excited to meet up with so many folks that I have had the opportunity to talk with and share many stories and emotions over the last year or so. Look out CAMP DUFFIELD we are coming and the HOWLS will be heard loudly!