I went to sleep early on Friday as I was feeling run down from the work week and, maybe, it was the rain that created my fatigue. But, something woke me up around 11 p.m. and I couldn’t go back to sleep.
Wiping my eyes, I turned on my cellphone and in my notifications was the report that said, “Chadwick Boseman, Dead at 43”.
I hovered somewhere between shocked awake and confused, fuzzy dream state. I assumed it was a hoax. I googled his name and story after story appeared confirming what felt like being blindsided. My mind yelled, I didn’t even know he was sick.
What I echoed is what many felt, because Chadwick Boseman hid his illness from many and seemingly performed some of the greatest performances of his career while he was also fighting Cancer.
According to reports, he was diagnosed as Stage 3 in 2016, which was prior to many of his famous roles. He took the role of Black Panther, which would go on to be one of the highest grossing films of all time, and he would also star in several Avengers movies. He presumably did this while going through chemotherapy and surgeries in attempts to prolong his life. He was a real-life superhero.
My mind couldn’t process that Chadwick was sick during that time. Not just because I saw him on screen, but because I saw him in real life.
In 2019, Chadwick Boseman filmed a movie called, “21 Bridges”. During that time, I was pursuing my dream of being on a movie set. I was an extra in a scene that ultimately ended up on the cutting room floor. But, I got a chance to film the scene over the course of a day and I was in a nightclub with Chadwick Boseman and Sienna Miller for hours as we did take after take. He was inches from me at times and at one point I almost ran into him which had me face-to-face. There was no indication to me that he was sick. He didn’t take many breaks. He was up for every scene. He even cracked jokes with us.
I can only marvel at his resolve as he was dedicated to every take even though the scene we were filming was a few seconds in the movie. I am grateful I had that experience and that day of filming with Mr. Boseman. I will cherish the memory and his work ethic has inspired me to push myself a little harder while complaining a lot less.
Unfortunately, I am intimately familiar with colon cancer. My Grandfather and Step-Father both had Colon Cancer. Neither disclosed it right away but suffered from the symptoms. My Grandfather survived his surgery but never recovered from the limitations that occurred as a result of it.
My Stepfather lost part of his bowel, but survived and is currently in remission. However, watching him go through chemotherapy and wither down to a shadow of himself wasn’t a reassuring period of my life. I have watched two men in my life battle colon cancer and I have seen the toll it takes.
According to the American Cancer Society, Colorectal Cancer (also called colon or rectal cancer) is cancer of the large intestine which the colon and rectum make up. The colon processes waste before it is eliminated by the rectum. Most colorectal cancers start as a growth called polyps in the lining for the colon or rectum. Not all polyps become cancerous which is why it’s important to have them checked.
Risk Factors that Increase Your Risk of Colon Cancer:
- Overweight or Obese
- Not being physically active
- Diets high in red meats and processed meats
- Low Vitamin D
- Smoking
- Heavy Alcohol Use
Having a family history of Colorectal Cancer can increase your risk. It’s more prevalent in people the older they get, especially over 50, but they are seeing a growth among younger people. African-Americans have a higher incidence and mortality rate.
It is suggested that anyone with an average risk should start testing at age 45. However, you should examine the risk factors and determine with your doctor if you should be screened earlier. It’s never too late to make lifestyle changes to lower your risk.
For more information on Cancer screening, visit the American Cancer Society information website on Colorectal Cancer.
Just because you’re not Black Panther, it doesn’t mean you aren’t a Superhero to someone in your life. It’s better to get checked early.
Thank you to the family of Chadwick Boseman for unselfishly sharing his greatness with us.
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Gage Skidmore on Flickr