Fighting multiple battles

Published July 10, 2014
By Staff Sgt. Christopher Carranza
60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs

TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Tech. Sgt. David Lopez, 60th Security Forces Squadron NCO in charge of mobility and resources, participated as a member of a team in the Gotta Tri Triathlon June 28 throughout base.

Lopez completed the bicycle portion while his team members, Tech. Sgt. Rebecca Swift and Staff Sgt. Benjamin Benitez, both from 60th SFS, completed the run and swim.

Unbeknownst to many people, approximately a year prior to this event Lopez was diagnosed with cancer.

"It was like I was frozen in time, my wife and I were in shock," Lopez said as he described the day he was given his diagnosis at David Grant USAF Medical Center. "It was the worst news we could have received."

On June 10, 2013, Lopez was diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer.

Colon cancer is cancer of the large intestine, which is the lower part of the digestive system.

Lopez said he clearly remembers his doctor telling him that he had a 4-inch mass after a colonoscopy. Upon completion of a biopsy it was confirmed that the mass was a malignant tumor.

(If the cancer was left untreated) "More than likely the mass would have grown too large and caused a blockage in my colon and could have spread to other vital organs," Lopez said. "It would have eventually led to my death."

Lopez underwent surgery removing approximately 12 inches of his colon and 29 lymph nodes, five of which tested positive for cancer. CT and positron emission topography scans determined none of the cancer had spread. After surgery, Lopez began his chemotherapy.

"My family and friends were my motivation," Lopez said. "They helped me press forward and think about what really matters most in life."

One of Lopez's many supporters throughout his ordeal was Master Sgt. Charles Buss, 60th SFS flight chief.

"I knew I had to be hard on him and treat him like nothing was different," Buss said. "We played golf during his weeks of chemo treatments and we always talked about the positives, never dwelling on the negatives."

During his chemotherapy, his youngest son was born and it infused him with greater focus on getting healthier, Lopez said.

Lopez was scheduled for 12 cycles of chemotherapy, but was only able to complete 10.

"On January 3, I remember waking up and going to the restroom as normal and I went back to bed. It was around 9 a.m. I had my first seizure," Lopez said. "On the way to DGMC ER, I suffered my second seizure in the ambulance. When I arrived at the ER I was put in a medically induced coma for fear that I would continue having seizures."

He awoke from his coma four days later and was released January 9 from DGMC.

"There really is nothing this man can't do," Swift said. "Nothing will hold him down or keep him from living life. Watching him go through all his issues was difficult, but he had a great crew full of love and support. For him to not give up through it all was remarkable."

Lopez beat cancer March 21. The father of three said he has a different outlook on life, but has the same pride and determination in his military career.

"I live in the moment and treasure every second of the day," Lopez said. "I do not live in the past, but reflect on it and look forward to the future by taking it one day at a time."

His goal is to finish 20 years of service and continue mentoring Airmen, he said.

"This decision will now rely on the Medical Evaluation Board to determine my fate in the Air Force," Lopez said. "Whatever the case may be, I am an Airman, I am a defender, I am stronger than cancer and I am a cancer survivor."