Jeremy Nolan, Survivor
“My name is Jeremy Nolan. I have been the Adult Hockey Director at the Space Coast Iceplex in Rockledge, Florida for the past two years and playing there since 2005. In 2013 I was diagnosed with Left Renal Carcinoma (Kidney Cancer). This was found through an incidental finding while having a CT of my colon due to a diverticulitis issue. I was fortunate enough to find this before the kidney was encapsulated in a tumor and symptoms were present. I had a partial left nephrectomy on April 2nd, 2013. Six long years have since passed with no signs of reoccurrence and a clean bill of health. I am truly blessed!
I consider myself one of the lucky ones. I have a great support system with my wife, Jeanine and my daughter, Nora, who of course loves figure skating and loves our rink family. She is also the person this hit the hardest. She had just turned 6 and was devastated. Of course, time heals, and the anxiousness gets better as time goes by. There are moments though!
Cancer hits friends and families and has no care as to what time in your life it occurs. The hardest thing for me was looking at my young daughter and knowing there was a possibility I might not be there to see her grow up. My Father is also battling Stage IV lung cancer and going strong for 3 years.
Cancer has taught me to live every day and to let everyone know how you feel. As for my rink family. There is nothing like hockey players they love each other or getting calls from players on the cancer-versary with a big congratulations! “
-Jeremy Nolan
