Fighting for My Kids: A Single Father’s Cancer Journey | Episode 78

About this episode

Mark Sevillano Jr. shares his deeply personal journey through stage 2 esophageal cancer as a single father, highlighting resilience and the importance of redefining priorities in life.

There are conversations that stay with you long after the mic turns off. This is one of them. In this deeply human and unforgettable episode, Mark Sevillano Jr. opens his heart and walks us through the moments that reshaped his life forever from healing after divorce, to rediscovering purpose as a single father, to hearing the words that no one is ever prepared for: “You have cancer.” Mark shares his raw journey through stage 2 esophageal cancer.. how subtle symptoms turned into a life-threatening diagnosis, the shock of finding out over the phone while alone in a hospital room, and the grueling reality of chemotherapy, surgery, and survivorship. But this is not just a cancer story. This is a story about resilience, faith, surrender, and redefining what truly matters. Together, we explore: What life looked like before cancer and why that context matters Ignoring symptoms, pushing through pain, and the moment everything changed Chemotherapy, sepsis shock, and an 8-hour robotic esophagectomy The emotional weight of telling your parents and children Hair loss, neuropathy, brain fog, and the realities no one warns you about Survivorship guilt and the quiet fear of recurrence Recovery…

People in this episode

Host: Kenny Perkins

Guest: Mark Sevillano Jr.

Topics covered

• cancer journey
• single father
• resilience
• survivorship
• advocacy
• emotional health

Keywords

• esophageal cancer
• chemotherapy
• survivorship guilt
• self-compassion
• advocacy

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