Share Your Story: Joel Evans

Joel Evans was the first person in his family to go to college. While he was working, he was a part-time MBA student. He then switched to full-time status and got his Ph.D. For 44 years, he was a business professor at Hofstra University. He has a great wife, two adult daughters, and two sons-in-law. Right now, he’s teaching a class virtually for graduate students in product management. He is a professor emeritus.

• 00:33: Joel Evans was the first person in his family to go to college.
• 02:02: So, I got the CT scan and then he said I want you to come over to my office.
• 04:10: There was a lot of stuff he didn't tell me because he didn't want me to get more nervous.
• 07:33: And I said, we're not canceling the wedding, and I am going to be there.
• 09:11: Can you explain what the Whipple [surgery] is?
• 11:46: He was able to get all the cancer out.
• 13:08: For those that are not diagnosed early enough to have surgery, the mortality is usually within six months.
• 16:13: You need to work with a doctor that considers you to be an adult and talks to you.
• 18:40: We’re going to work as hard as you do to make sure you live as well as possible for as long as possible.
• 20:01: I also had low white blood cell counts a few times.
• 23:08: I think it makes a huge difference when patients have a goal.
• 24:22: I started to sit down, and I got dizzy. And that's the last thing I remember until I was in the hospital.
• 26:13: I promised myself that I was not going to miss any other time after the surgery until I retired.
• 29:10: I didn't want to steal from her center of attention, but every time people saw me, they started crying.
• 31:10: What was the worst moment for you during all of this?
• 36:02: What was your best moment?
• 36:45: What is one thing that you wish you had known at the beginning of your cancer journey?
• 39:10: If you can only do change one thing to improve health care in the US, what would it be and why?
• 40:10: Thriver Rapid Fire Questions
• 41:58: Aside from Cancer U, what is a resource that you recommend for cancer patients and caregivers?

Resources

• Joel’s book Surviving Cancer and Embracing Life: My Personal Journey
• Joel’s blog Survivingcancerembracinglife.com
• Email Joel joelprof@hotmail.com