My Father’s Strength

PALM BEACH, FL—Nine years ago, my father made the decision that he would never stop fighting for his family. The holidays are supposed to be a time to spread joy and make memories with the people you love. Unfortunately, cancer had other ideas.

In December of 2013, Rodolfo Gonzalez was diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer. After visiting the emergency room with extreme stomach pain, a cat scan was scheduled to determine the culprit. Note, eleven months prior, Rudy received his first colonoscopy and was informed that everything was fine. His doctor told him to come back in five years. The cat scan showed a tumor the size of a ping pong ball in his colon. The results may have changed the plot of my father’s story, but not the ending.

Multiple surgeries, rounds of chemotherapy and radiation, and hundreds of doctor visits. Cancer took a physical and mental toll on Rudy. Despite various attempts to kill the cancer, it kept persisting. Spreading to his lungs and metastasizing a total of three times. Rudy suffers from neuropathy in the hands and feet as a side effect of the chemotherapy. He became fearful of the high probability of dying; but with the support of his family, he found the strength to keep fighting. He refused to let cancer win.

“The vision that I wanted, was to see my children grow up to be adults. That is what drove me to keep going…that is what gave me hope…I knew my family would be better off with me alive…it is what gave me the desire to beat cancer,” – Rudy stated when asked about what gave him hope during his battle with cancer.

I was only 13 years old when my father was first diagnosed. It was a shock to the perfect bubble my parents had created for me and my siblings. Watching my dad suffer for nine years was extremely traumatic because in my mind, my father was invincible. The constant wonder of if my dad would be taken from me before he could see me walk down the aisle or have children, terrified me.

Although he was fighting to keep his own life, he never stopped fighting for me and my family. My dad never missed a single one of my volleyball games or award ceremonies. Despite feeling completely drained from the chemotherapy his body was enduring. His desire to show up for his family, even on his darkest days, is the trait I admire the most about him. I owe my life to my father.

With great courage and strength, his vision would become reality. On August 25, 2018, Rudy won his battle against cancer. With pride, knowing that hard times were behind him; and that he had his family by his side. Rudy could finally get back to doing the things he loves.

“My advice to anyone who is battling cancer is…remain optimistic…live life to the fullest…and don’t sweat the small stuff,” -Rodolfo Gonzalez said.

Behind every great man is an even greater woman. My mother took on the responsibility of both parents in order for my father to make a successful recovery. Sticking beside him through the hard times, my mother is the glue that held our family together. Making the needed sacrifices so that my siblings and I would never go without anything. Putting herself last, and our family first always.

“My wife Clara is my rock… She was by my side through every turn…I couldn’t have done it without her,” Rudy shared when asked about his wife of 32 years.

Aside from being a family man, Rudy is an avid angler and enjoys playing pickle ball with his friends. Mr. Gonzalez recently retired and plans to live out his years in the Dominican Republic with my mother Clara and dog Maestro. He is looking forward to fishing on the beach every day and going on adventures with his best friend. Cancer has taught him how precious life is; but more importantly the people in it. Rudy hopes to spread positivity and give hope to the 1 in 2 people who are diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime.

Author:

Ashley Gonzalez

Date:

December 8, 2022