At just 20 years old, Chris was diagnosed with stage 4 liver cancer. In January 2024, his world shifted when doctors told him he had 2-3 years left to live. Most people would crumble under such devastating news, but Chris’s journey is a testament to the power of resilience, determination, and an unwavering will to fight.
When he first heard the diagnosis, his mind raced with thoughts like, “Is this it? Am I going to die?” In a moment of reflection, he even wondered if this diagnosis was a kind of mercy from God. At that time, Chris was dealing with severe depression and had reached a point where he didn’t even want to exist. The news of having only a few years left didn’t immediately spark fear—it almost felt like an escape.
But something shifted when he saw his dad’s reaction. “When I saw my dad crying, it hit me. This is insane. I don’t want my dad to lose his son.” Chris realized he couldn’t give in to the diagnosis. He couldn’t leave his family behind with the pain of losing him. In that moment, he made a powerful decision: “I’m going to start fighting for him, for my family.”
The Hardest Part of the Journey: Losing Everything
Chris’s fight hasn’t been easy. One of the hardest parts of this journey was losing almost everything he had. He had a stable job where he was earning good money, but cancer took that away.
His health began to deteriorate, and the toll of chemotherapy weighed heavily on his body and mind. “The flashbacks of the medication and chemo are torture,” Chris recalls.
The injections, the side effects, the endless rounds of treatment—it was like a form of physical and mental punishment. But through it all, he kept moving forward, refusing to let the pain break his spirit.
A New Perspective on Life
Since his diagnosis, Chris’s perspective on life has drastically changed. “I appreciate life way more now. I look at everything differently,” he says.
Cancer has humbled him, made him more respectful of others, and pushed him to extend kindness whenever he can.
He tells people there’s so much more to life than what they think—they often get caught up in things that, in the grand scheme, don’t matter.
For Chris, every day is a gift, and he’s learned to cherish the little moments.
Surpassing the Doctors’ Expectations
Chris knows that beating stage 4 liver cancer will take more than just medical treatment.
“My mentality and my willpower are going to help me surpass the doctors’ expectations,” he declares.
His mindset has been one of his greatest strengths throughout this ordeal.
Despite almost dying twice from the effects of the cancer, he’s still standing, still fighting.
He believes that the inner strength he’s cultivated is what will carry him beyond the bleak prognosis.
Advice for Those Facing a Life-Changing Diagnosis
To anyone facing a similar battle, Chris offers this advice: Just cry. Let it all out.
But once you’re done, tell yourself, you’re not going to lose. You’re not going to get beat down.
You’re stronger than that, and you have the mentality to fight this.
He’s proof that while the journey may be filled with pain, uncertainty, and loss, there’s always room for strength and resilience.
His message is simple yet powerful: YOU CAN DO THIS!
Finding Strength in Fitness
Throughout his battle with cancer, Chris has found solace in one of his greatest passions: working out.
The gym has become his sanctuary, a place where he can channel his frustrations and focus on rebuilding his strength—both physically and mentally.
“The gym helps me feel alive,” he says. It’s a place where, even on his toughest days, he can reclaim a sense of control over his body and mind.
Moving Forward
Chris’s story is one of resilience, a word that defines the very essence of his battle against cancer.
He’s been knocked down more than once, but he refuses to stay down. He’s fought for himself, for his family, and for his future.
His journey aligns perfectly with the values of Leaving Mayhem: facing adversity head-on, refusing to give in, and finding strength in the struggle.
Chris’s life is a living testament to the power of the human spirit, and he’s not done fighting yet.
This is more than a story about a young man battling cancer—it’s a story about the will to survive, the determination to overcome, and the unwavering belief that you can push through even the darkest moments.
Chris is leaving mayhem behind, one step at a time, as he continues his fight against the odds.
This is Chris’s story, a reminder that even in the face of unimaginable adversity, strength and resilience can carry you through.
Chris Instagram: mrlbforlb
