Howard Brown: I Survived Cancer and Here Is How I Did It
An Interview With Savio P. Clemente
Sharing hope like love is the fuel we all need seize the day, get out of bed, meet challenges we face and celebrate small and large successes and milestones.
Cancer is a horrible and terrifying disease. Yet millions of people have beaten the odds and beat cancer. Authority Magazine started a new series called “I Survived Cancer and Here Is How I Did It”. In this interview series, we are talking to cancer survivors to share their stories, in order to offer hope and provide strength to people who are being impacted by cancer today. As a part of this interview series, I had the pleasure of interviewing Howard Brown.
Howard Brown is a two time Stage IV cancer patient, survivor, advocate, technology entrepreneur, husband, dad and avid basketball player. In 1989 at the age of 23, Howard was diagnosed with Stage IVe Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. After failing three chemo regimens he had an allogeneic (from a donor) bone marrow transplant from his twin sister Cheryl Brown-Gingras who was an exact HLA match that along with massive chemotherapy and full body radiation saved his life. Achieving remission, twenty-six years later at his fifty-year-old colonoscopy, he was diagnosed with Stage III Colon Cancer then after two colon resection surgeries, intense chemotherapy and a failed clinical trial he turned metastatic Stage IV that spread to his liver, peritoneum, omentum, and small bowel. After salvage second line chemotherapy showed some regression (shrinkage), Howard underwent Cytoreduction Surgery (debulking / removal of live and dead cancer cells) with Heated intra-peritoneal chemotherapy (hot chemo wash to kill micro cancer cells– (CRS HIPEC). Howard is currently considered No Evidence of Disease (NED) at this time after 9 consecutive CT scans and lives with his family in Birmingham, Michigan.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! We really appreciate the courage it takes to publicly share your story. Before we start, our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you tell us a bit about your background and your childhood backstory?
I was born March 10, 1966, in St Louis as a twin. My sister Cheryl Brown was 5 minutes older. Little did we know how important and lifesaving it would be for me to have a twin. We moved to the Boston suburbs after six months and grew up modestly. My dad Marshall worked three jobs to support a wife (Nancy) and twin babies. We grew up in Framingham, Ma. 22 miles from Boston and went to public schools and got Bar Mitzvah at the age of 13 at local Temple Beth Am. I was outgoing, Senior class VP and athletic and played varsity Basketball at Framingham South High School. I transferred from Connecticut College into Babson College the #1 school for entrepreneurism and graduated in 1988. Later in 2014, I became Board President of the Babson College worldwide alumni association and a college trustee. I was honored with the top alumni volunteer leadership honor called the Cruickshank Award in September 2019 in the middle of my colon cancer treatment.
Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?
“Shining Brightly makes the world a better place” — this is the title and tag line for my memoir being published in March of 2022 by Front Edge Publishing.
The relevance of this life lesson title and quote I created is that no matter what life challenges we must deal with — we can all shine our light to make our own lives and the lives of others better.
Let’s now shift to the main part of our discussion about surviving cancer. Do you feel comfortable sharing with us the story surrounding how you found out that you had cancer?
Here is a link to a 3 part story published about me by the Colon Cancer Coalition about my diagnosis, treatment and survivorship — https://coloncancercoalition.org/2021/03/04/faces-of-blue-howard-brown-update-3/
Cancer 1 — Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma — I had a red mark on my left cheek bone turn into a purple lump. This was October 1989 — no Internet and no cell phones or computers. Actually, after I relapsed 3 times in 6 months, I thought I was destined to die but my twin sister’s bone marrow was an exact match and save my life via a bone marrow transplant at Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, Massachusetts followed by a clinical trial of Interleukin 2. I picked up and moved cross-country to Los Angeles to rebuild myself and my life.
Cancer 2 — Colon Cancer — Living now in Franklin, Michigan since 2005. Married and a daughter (from frozen sperm), I went in for a 50-year-old physical and was told it was time from my colonoscopy. I had been having stomach pains and thought it was irritable bowel syndrome. I woke up from the anesthesia with my wife holding my hand and the gastroenterologist told me he found something in my Cecum that turned out to be an 8.5cm tumor that confirmed Stage III Colon Cancer. A tumor that large can take 8–10 years to grow to that size. Two colon resection surgeries led to relapse, intense chemo therapy cycles that did not work and a failed clinical trial. Cancer spread (metastasis) to my liver, peritoneum, omentum and small bowel, metastatic Stage IV. I was told to get my affairs in order 4% chance to live 12–18 months. IMAGINE if at age 40 or 42 I had been screened by Cologuard or a colonoscopy I may not have had colon cancer or Stage I. Early screening is so important and saves lives.
What was the scariest part of that event? What did you think was the worst thing that could happen to you?
Life does not offer any guarantees. The worst thing would not be seeing my daughter graduate from high school, grow up and eventually walk her down the wedding aisle.
How did you react in the short term?
Cancer 1 — I was a deer in the headlights in denial and needed to learn on the job by sitting in the waiting room or experiencing multiple chemo cocktails that did not work and the disease progressed.
Cancer 2 — I was shocked at first but being a cancer veteran, I was preparing to go to battle like a marine preparing for a mission.
After the dust settled, what coping mechanisms did you use? What did you do to cope physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually?
Cancer 1 — I moved home with my parents at age 23. I was immune compromised with a lymphatic blood cancer and moved home to be treated at Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Boston. I tried to work out but was sick with chemo and side effects, I played Nintendo video games and talked to friends on a land line. My mom (primary) and dad became my caregivers. I did over 120 blood and platelet transfusions. After a period of denial and depression, I tried to stay positive. Not too religious I did consult my rabbi for prayers. I joined an in-person support group called Stepping Stones that brought cancer patients and caregivers together with nurses, doctors and social workers.
Cancer 2 — I was married to Lisa (who was thrust into being “My Person” caregiver) in 1994 in Los Angeles, CA. Our daughter Emily was born in 2001 in Palo Alto, CA then we moved to Michigan in 2005. I was in a very different stage of my life and career at age 50 and 26 years in remission from cancer 1 which I put in the rearview mirror. I was a cancer veteran with a cell phone and Internet access. I was able to build my network of support, prayer and cheerleaders from my huge social networks. The HBstrong movement was born with t-shirts and my social media following. I shared my diagnosis (not the dark and icky details) to inspire and inform. Throughout my 4 major surgeries, 22 chemo cycles, a failed clinical trial — when it was safe to do so, I played basketball = MY HAPPY PLACE. Also I found incredible information and support in online private Facebook groups like Colontown.org, ManUptoCancer.com (Men only) and others to learn, share and get support from active patients and caregivers.
Is there a particular person you are grateful towards who helped you learn to cope and heal? Can you share a story about that?
Fighting and beating cancer is a TEAMSPORT and I am blessed, grateful and lucky, yes lucky to be alive.
I probably should be dead not once but twice. In cancer 1 and cancer 2, I know it’s incredibly difficult to be the patient, but the unsung superheroes are my mom and then my wife Lisa as caregivers. They were thrust into roles to support a dying son and husband, asked to still be a mother and wife, put their lives on hold and deal with all the “crap”. Keeping track of appointments, medicines, side effects, billing, communicating to family and friends, emotions, depression, lack of sleep and for my wife raising a high-school daughter with me being on death’s doorstep and so much more. My caregivers are true superheroes and as I have learned from my wife (Lisa Naftaly Brown) and mom (Nancy Brown) in my cancer online networks — our cancer caregivers give up everything to help us live day to day with love, compassion, and CARE!
In my own cancer struggle, I sometimes used the idea of embodiment to help me cope. Let’s take a minute to look at cancer from an embodiment perspective. If your cancer had a message for you, what do you think it would want or say?
Both my cancers experiences are reminders that life is short and fragile.
We are placed on this earth to repair and heal the world. (Tikkun Olam in Hebrew)
What did you learn about yourself from this very difficult experience? How has cancer shaped your worldview? What has it taught you that you might never have considered before? Can you please explain with a story or example?
Cancer humbles a person. It challenges you mentally, physically, financially, emotionally and in relationships.
I learned to funnel out negative people and negativity. I learned that I am strong and mentally tough. I would show up at the chemo infusion room, a very difficult and depressive place most of the time as people are fighting to live and extend their lives with worried caregivers by their sides as the slow drip of chemotherapy flows into our veins to give us a small chance of hope. I chose to be positive and brighten the day of my doctors, infusion nurses, staff and other patients and caregivers. A little positivity goes a long way. Cancer like many are learning from Covid-19 is isolating and our emotional wellbeing is tested and the future effects are still playing out on society.
How have you used your experience to bring goodness to the world?
- I am sharing my story of determination, resilience, community service and hope.
- I am a cancer whisperer to mentor other cancer patients just like I was whispered to for those that came before me.
- I am a passionate cancer advocate and spokesperson to prevent Colorectal Cancer.
It is preventable if screened early. As we say, “a cleanse and colonoscopy are way easier than chemo, surgeries, and side-effects.
What are a few of the biggest misconceptions and myths out there about fighting cancer that you would like to dispel?
A cancer diagnosis is not necessarily a death sentence — more people are living longer and productive lives with cancer. The world of cancer research, clinicians, big pharma, and big tech now include patients that are central to advancements, future care and cures.
Fantastic. Here is the main question of our interview. Based on your experiences and knowledge, what advice would you give to others who have recently been diagnosed with cancer? What are your “5 Things You Need To Beat Cancer? Please share a story or example for each.
- Do your homework!
No Dr. Google but online groups and real research that can help inform and support you with resources from diagnosis through treatment and on to survivorship.
Story — Cancer 1 in 1989–1990 — no Internet or cell phones. Support came from a relative who knew someone else who had cancer or another patient in the waiting room.
Cancer 2 from 2016 — present day — online networks like www.colontown.org and www.mylymphomateam.com are filled with amazing resources, science, side-effect support, clinical trial navigation and “real” people fighting on the front lines trying to extend their lives.
2. Do not go it alone!
Story — a caregiver, patient nurse navigator, social worker are really important to help you find your way. Cancer can be confusing, overwhelming, depressing. Ask for and seek help!
3. #KFG (Keep Fucking Going)
Story — KFG is a mantra in our Man Up to Cancer online support group for men who tend to isolate and not want to share their feelings as it is not macho…So keep f’ing going is a battle cry because what choice do we really have but to fight to extend our lives, improve quality of life and play the cards dealt to us.
4. Find your happy place!
Story — A cancer diagnosis and treatment are life altering. It is easy to get angry, depressed, and negative. I felt all of those emotions and feelings myself. The Chumbawamba album and song Tubthumping — “I get knocked down” ( and get up again”) rings true to the spirit of resiliency and an iron will to take steps to move forward each day to sometimes just get out of bed. A walk or hike in nature, meditation, art, music, yoga, cooking and the basketball court for me …what is your happy place for self-care — find it, bask in it then brighten someone else’s day and watch your mind, spirit and body feel the positivity in the good deeds.
5. Create your own blueprint for survivorship!
Story — Those like me lucky and blessed to get to NED (No Evidence of Disease at this time) on my way to remission after the 5-year mark have to start transitioning from a cancer patient in active treatment with side effects and surgeries to “putting Humpty-Dumpty” back together again. How to re-enter the workforce, repair broken relationships, make lifestyle changes in diet and exercise, improve emotional well-being as post cancer PTSD is real and challenging for many. Getting back on the horse and riding again takes a plan, work and can set forth new horizons and amazing adventures.
You are a person of great influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the greatest amount of people, what would that be?
Sharing Hope
Sharing hope like love is the fuel we all need to seize the day, get out of bed, meet challenges we face and celebrate small and large successes and milestones.
We are very blessed that some very prominent names in Business, VC funding, Sports, and Entertainment read this column. Is there a person in the world, or in the US with whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch, and why? He or she might just see this if we tag them. :-)
The younger me would have said a sports hero like Tom Brady, Larry Bird or Bobby Orr (not a coincidence all Boston area sports legends). Present day a private lunch with Jeff Bezos, Bill Gates and Richard Branson would be ask them to gather other of the wealthiest men and women around the world and pick the areas of great need like hunger, clean water, poverty, climate change, hate and of course cancer and pledge billions to help make the world a better place today and our children in the future.
How can our readers further follow your work online?
www.shiningbrightly.life is under construction
Working on my Podcast, YouTube channel, Instagram, Twitter and Facebook for Shining Brightly
Currently — personal LinkedIn and Facebook
https://www.linkedin.com/in/howardsbrown/
https://www.facebook.com/howard.brown.36
Thank you so much for sharing these important insights. We wish you continued success and good health!
