Incredible Two-Time Cancer Survivor Will Celebrate Father’s Day with His 6 Grandchildren: ‘There Was a Time When I Didn’t Think I Could Have Kids’

The Importance of Milestones

• Two-time cancer survivor John Keane, 60, is elated to be spending another Father’s Day with his four grown kids and six grandkids after once being told by doctors that he may not be able to have any children at all following a stage 4 testicular cancer diagnosis at just 20 years old. He also survived esophageal cancer in 2016.
• For cancer survivors and their families, reaching milestones is a big deal, as they tend to hold more significant meaning. Furthermore, many  cancer patients will gain a greater sense of gratitude from all they’ve endured.
• Through cancer and into the healing period, it’s important to know that you are not alone. John Keane is fortunate to have a large family, but if you find yourself needing support and you don’t know where to turn, just know that there is help out there. A social worker or life coach can help you navigate community groups of people in similar situations. Or reach out to a friend or mentor you can trust.

Two-time cancer survivor John Keane, 60, is elated to be spending another Father's Day with his four grown kids and six grandkids after once being told by doctors that he may not be able to have any children at all following a stage 4 testicular cancer diagnosis at just 20 years old. He also survived esophageal cancer in 2016. "It's overwhelming whenever I think about it," the New Jersey native told northjersey.com , becoming emotional about his earlier diagnosis. "There was a time when I didn't think I could have kids. And then there was a time I didn't think I'd ever see them have their own kids." Keane, a lifelong electrician, recalled telling his wife and then-girlfriend Dina about his health situation and she adamantly chose to stay by his side. RELATED : ‘Hit Like a Brick Wall’ – TV Anchor Dan Abrams, 57, Marks 20 Years Since Testicular Cancer Diagnosis by Sharing His Journey "She said, 'I'm not going anywhere and we're going to have kids,'" Keane recalled. They married in 1987 and not only were they able to get pregnant within that same year, but they wound up having three more, all within five years of each other. "We got very lucky. It was God's direction. It was in his hands. That's the only way I can explain it." Describing their experience of being young parents, he said, "Sometimes it felt like we were growing up with them."

Facing Another Cancer Diagnosis

Then a little over three decades after his first diagnosis in 2016, Keane began experiencing heartburn and dizzy spells. His blood work alerted doctors that he could be bleeding internally. He had a procedure called an endoscopy, then was told he had a tumor in his esophagus. "It felt like lightning struck me twice," Keane expressed. "I got away the first time and I just couldn't believe I'm dealing with cancer again." He underwent six chemotherapy and 28 radiation sessions, including a life-saving surgery that removed most of his stomach. Though his ability to eat and drink normally has been limited, he made it through, and continues to advocate for the disease, which is often caught too late. "When I was diagnosed, I just kept saying, 'God, keep me here long enough to see just one grandkid," he said. "And now I have six coming over to play in the pool."

Milestones After Cancer

For cancer survivors and their families, reaching life’s milestones is a big deal. Milestones can be the birth of a child or grandchild, getting married, traveling on a dream vacation, reaching another birthday, or in John Keane's case, enjoying Father's Day. Most importantly, these milestones during or after cancer tend to have a more significant meaning since many cancer patients will gain a greater sense of gratitude from all they've endured. WATCH: One cancer survivor's incredible story detailing the value of milestones. Aside from celebrating milestones, standard day-to-day activities can also feel more special, such as planning a nice dinner or  spending time working with a cancer charity. The way you memorialize your cancer milestone could also be independent of others in the form of simple reflection or a walk in nature. Survivorship, overall, can enhance the time you spend doing all of the above.

Finding the Support You Need

Through cancer and into the healing period, it's important to know that you are not alone. John Keane is fortunate to have a large family, but if you find yourself needing support and you don't know where to turn, just know that there is help out there. A social worker or life coach can advocate for you and help you navigate community groups of people in similar situations to befriend, or think of a friend or mentor whom you can trust. “Some people don’t need to go outside of their family and friends' circle. They feel like they have enough support there,” psychiatrist Dr. Lori Plutchik told SurvivorNet. “But for people who feel like they need a little bit more, it’s important to reach out to a mental health professional." 'My Faith Has Been Very Important' – Survivor Monica Layton’s Story Dr. Plutchik also stressed how important it is for people supporting cancer survivors to understand their emotions can vary day-to-day. “People can have a range of emotions, they can include fear, anger, and these emotions tend to be fluid. They can recede and return based on where someone is in the process,” she explained. Meanwhile, Dr. Charmain Jackman , a licensed psychologist and founder of InnoPsych, echoes the benefits of positive mental health while facing a health diagnosis. “In the face of a life-threatening diagnosis, fear, hopelessness, and despair can quickly take space in your mind," Dr. Jackman explained. "However, your mindset is a superpower and can be a potent antidote to illness. Practicing gratitude, cultivating joy, and connecting to the community are practical ways to develop a resilient mindset.”

Understanding Testicular Cancer

A testicular cancer diagnosis is rare, but it is the most common form of cancer diagnosed in young men. Depending on the stage, the disease is considered highly treatable. Treatment options can include chemotherapy and radiation, but often, the first line of treatment is surgery to remove the testicle, which contains the cancerous cells. RELATED : ‘It Takes Balls’: 28-Year-Old Testicular Cancer Survivor Is Kicking ‘Taboo’ of Disease, One Podcast at a Time Symptoms of testicular cancer can be subtle. Some people may even confuse the early symptoms, such as a small mass in their testicle, as an injury. But when these signs are dismissed, the cancer can grow and become worse. Dr. Edwin Posadas , the medical director of the Urologic Oncology Program at Cedars-Sinai Cancer, previously told SurvivorNet that some men may even notice blood in their ejaculate as a result of testicular cancer. “This symptom is less common but always bad,” he said. WATCH: Todd Rosenbluth shares his testicular cancer journey. “It’s not uncommon to see men come in with masses on their scrotum and have inflammation of the scrotal wall; they develop pain as a result. A lump is the most common symptom of testicular cancer,” Dr. Posadas added. Men should regularly conduct self-exams of their testicles for anything unusual. Testicular Cancer symptoms can include:

• Breast growth or soreness
• Early puberty in boys
• Low back pain (a potential symptom of advanced testicular cancer)
• Shortness of breath, chest pain, or a cough (a possible symptom of advanced testicular cancer)
• Belly pain (a possible symptom of advanced testicular cancer)
• Headaches or confusion (a possible symptom of advanced testicular cancer)

Understanding Esophageal Cancer

Esophageal cancer is a difficult diagnosis to receive. You’re likely dealing with a lot of questions, uncertainty, and emotions as you consider treatment options. This guide aims to break down those options, and provide some guidance when it comes to living with esophageal cancer. The disease causes cancer cells to form in the tissues of the esophagus, a hollow, muscular tube that food and liquid move through when traveling from the throat to the stomach. The wall of the esophagus is made of up several layers of tissue; cancer begins on the inside lining and spreads to the outer layers of the esophagus as it grows. RELATED : For Beloved Waco, Texas Weatherman Rusty Garrett, 67, Acid Reflux Turns Out to Be Esophageal Cancer– Please Don’t Ignore Symptoms It can be very difficult to treat because in many cases, the disease is diagnosed at a later stage. "Esophageal cancer, we know is a tough one," Dr. Brendon Stiles , a thoracic surgeon at Montefiore Medical Center, told SurvivorNet. "It's one of the cancers with some of the lowest cure rates out there, but like many cancers, if we find it early, we can often treat it effectively either with surgery, with surgery and chemotherapy, or with chemotherapy and radiation."

Symptoms of Esophageal Cancer

Unfortunately, symptoms of esophageal cancer can be a bit vague, so those experiencing them may not think cancer right away. Still, it's important to be aware of signs of this disease, which include:

• Pain/difficulty swallowing
• Weight loss
• Pain behind the breastbone
• Hoarseness/cough
• Indigestion/heartburn
• A lump under the skin

"Try to get diagnosed early," Dr. Stiles said. "For esophageal cancer, that means getting screened, getting endoscopies if you have any symptoms. The problem with esophageal cancer is it can mimic a lot of other things. You lose a little weight, have a little trouble swallowing, have a little heartburn those are tough symptoms to pin down sometimes and often leads to patients with esophageal cancer presenting with later disease."