I have received so many e-mails and Facebook messages from people touched by cancer, and it has been humbling. Each of those messages are very special as people are opening up their lives to me. I would be doing everyone a disservice if I didn’t give honest updates of my progress, so here goes.
The big thing on my mind is my one-year anniversary. I was diagnosed with Leukemia on Father’s Day last year, which was only days after my birthday.
I am very excited for my birthday this year. I am one of those people who usually feels their birthday is just another day and don’t make a big deal out of it. This year, I am very lucky that the Tate family will be down to celebrate with me since they played such a huge role in my fight and recovery.
There were many times in the past year I didn’t think I was going to get to see my next birthday or another Father’s Day. But here I am trying to figure out how to celebrate and I guess you could say I have a second chance at life.
This year, I will be 40 years old, but the number doesn’t phase me. I know some people freak out over that number but it’s just another number to me. I have, however, been looking back at the last year of my life and it’s truly been an amazing year.
In the past year, I have had the following happen:
- I was diagnosed with Leukemia.
- I was in a coma for three weeks.
- I was read my Last Rites in anticipation of my dying.
- I couldn’t even move my hands when I awoke from the coma.
- I learned to walk again.
- I learned I had more friends than I ever knew about.
- I learned my family is stronger than I ever thought possible.
- I learned that by simply putting one foot in front of the other I could walk five miles, with that coming less than one year after I couldn’t take a step.
Now, let’s get back to the big question: How do I celebrate my one incredible year? I’m not really sure. I know on June 18 — my birthday — we’ll do something fun with the Tates and all of our kids, probably go to a water park or something fun like that.
But I am really thinking about going skydiving as my one-year gift to myself. I have always wanted to, but I have been way over the weight limit for the past 12 years. I am no longer over the limit, so maybe I’ll do that.
More than that, I will sit back and reflect on the year and what a great journey it has been.
Would I change it?
Would I change the whole scenario?
Strangely, no, I wouldn’t. Through all the bad, I have learned to see the good. I am alive and I now have a second chance at life. Many people that have been in my position don’t get that.
Through all the anger, anxiety, pain, frustration and fear I realized something: I control if I will be happy or sad. There are some things none of us can control, but we do control how we feel.
I am going to choose to be happy. I could have very easily been six feet under the ground right now.
Now, for some reason, I want to jump out of a plane thousands of feet above the ground and check out the view.
- Help support Bob’s — and others’ — fight against Leukemia by visiting our “Lift Strong” section and purchasing some apparel.
- Also, for more information about Bob, click here to follow his log.
READERS: What do you think Bob should do to celebrate? Let us — and Bob — know.
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Bob Youngs is an elite powerlifter and owner of Southside Barbell in Florida. In 1996, he moved to Columbus, Ohio and began training at Westside Barbell. In two years, his total went from 1540 lbs to 2000 lbs. He has totaled elite in the 275-lb class and has totaled 2010 lbs. His best lifts are an 840-lb squat, a 540-lb bench press, and a 705-lb deadlift.
View Bob’s Training Log 
youre experience must have really made you take the time to appreciate the little things in life in a way that not many people can ever relate to. Congrats on your progress and future journeys.
wow bob, i see just how fortunate we all are to have our health. i had back problems for the past 4 yrs due to poor posture and an already injured back while doing bent over dumbell rows with more weight than i could/can handle. my quack @$$ doctors and chiropractors told me to stay away from squats and deadlifts to keep from reinjuring and worstening my back’s condition. when i started the 5/3/1 program with my neighbor, i thought he was killing me with squats and deadlifts every week. now, my back is stronger than it has been since i was i was in my late teens. my back is healthy and doesn’t bother me (other than after taking an @$$ whooping from 95% squats and deadlifts haha).
i’m glad to see that your life is what you make of it and it sounds like you are making the best of it. just one question, what is the weight limit for sky diving? not that i want to jump my fat @$$ out of a plain but just out of curiousity.
Mike,
The weight limit is 230 at most places. I’m in the mid 220s right now, but hope to be around 210 by then. Thanks for the kind words.
i need to loose 20lbs. maybe it’ll happen this summer training in my neighbor’s garage in 100+ degree heat.
i’m a special ed. teacher and have held 3 penny drives for our local lukemia and lymphoma society at school. we’ve raised $2k every drive we’ve had. this is just another reminder of how important that organization is.
congratulations bob! i think it’s fantastic that you have made such a tremendous comeback.
After the battles you have fought over the past year, I would say that you could celebrate your birthday any damn way you please. You’ve earned it. Keep fighting the good fight, Bob. You’re an inspiration to us all.