Thanks to a niece of mine who, at a young age preferred to call me “B” instead of Brian, the B-Man was born!
As a northern boy, access was limited to many of the sports that the big cities got to enjoy. But, one thing North Bay did have was a crudely organized cycling club. With our team jerseys in hand, we competed in the Sudbury area in the summer and indoors in North Bay for our “Roller Races”. Along with my cycling interests, once at Chippewa High School I found out that x-country running was a great way to get out of class and meet…er……other runners!!!! I also dabbled into the Triathlon arena during the summer of grade 12, competing in the Owen Sound Tri, in August of 1987.
On March 17th, 1997, The B-Man morphed into the C-Man for a bit, as I was diagnosed with Testicular Cancer. It was caught fairly early, yet it had indeed spread into my lymph nodes as well. So, after a radical orchiectomy (yes, that’s a nut-removal!) and a cycle of radiation, my “Obligation to the Cured” began. As I found when I was fighting my battle with Cancer, the word “testicle” had the same characteristics socially as prostrate and colon have suffered for years…..they exist, but one should NOT discuss them in mixed company!!!
I’ve set out to change that!
Realizing, as many survivors do, that life is too short and that we must make the most of our time here, my journey began. I signed up for my first 10km race EVER, and lived to tell about it. For anyone who knows The-Bman well, they would know that as soon as the pain subsided, my first thought was “what’s bigger than a 10k?” I had a renewed drive, embracing a “go big, or go home!” attitude.
Over the next 10 years, I have “GONE BIG”, and STILL have NEVER “GONE HOME”.
With over 35 different races under my belt (including 5k, 10k, half marathons, full marathons, duathlons, triathlons and half-ironmans) and over $10,000 raised for various Cancer-related charities, I have only just begun, and have decided to bring you along for the ride.
Nuts About Cancer is my web site that I have dedicated my time to. It will tell you about me, what you need to know about testicular cancer as well as keep you up to date with my latest challenge.
In April, 2007 I will be running the famed Boston Marathon for the second time, raising money for one of the worlds leading Cancer research facilities. In July, you will find me on the roads of Lake Placid, N.Y., competing in the Ironman USA Triathlon (3.8km swim, 190km cycle, then a marathon….. in case you’d like to join me!!) There, I will be raising money for the Ottawa Regional Cancer at the Ottawa Hospital where I was treated 10 years ago…..stay tuned to see how YOU can help. |
Articles written about B-Man
Cancer survivor Brian Doan
gladly accepts his ‘Obligation of the
Cured’ (Cancer Challenge Magazine:Spring / Summer 2006)
Kanata Man puts best Foot forward in Boston Marathon (Kanata Kourier-Standard - February 11, 2005) |
