Photo Credit: Illana Schlehuber
room with me for a week. My
daughter never left my side.
She'd change the bag every
time it was full...my other children
work or are in college and
came when they could.
iPL: Have you changed as a
person because of your experience
with prostate cancer?
KS: 100%. Of course I've
changed. As a younger man, I
drank too much. I grew up in a
tough neighborhood where
people didn't see a therapist or
a psychiatrist. In the 1980's you
didn't tell people about your
problems. In my neighborhood,
there were lots of hardcore alcoholics.
I never got too rowdy
when I drank but I definitely
used it to cope with issues.
Now that I'm a little older,
I understand that life is so
short, and none of us are Superman.
iPL: When you are having a
difficult day now, what helps?
KS: I go for a walk. I thank
God for my luck. I get exercise.
I go to the Y with my daughters
and we enjoy that. My daughter
made a salad for me last night...
even the small things are reasons
to live now. I can help
people by educating them on
the importance of getting
checked. I tell them now, "Let's
talk about getting checked."
Looking Forward
Since Big Brother Season 19,
Kevin has been a public advocate
about cancer education and
mental health awareness. He's
recently went through the process
of becoming a certified
mental health coach. Kevin
never imagined that he would
be able to use the platform created
from Big Brother to make
a difference for other patients,
but says he's very proud to do
so. We're proud of him, too,
and we'll continue to follow his
inspirational journey.
@BB19Kevin
28—iPain Living Magazine