Bent but not broken by cancer

July 31, 2024 – Defence Stories

Resilience in the face of adversity is both a demonstration of bravery and a measure of one’s determination and mental fortitude. Although adversity in the military context is often seen as an enemy force or a natural obstacle, it can present itself in many other ways. Often, the situations that are least expected are those which require the most resilience. Major Byron Marrello’s fight against cancer is a prime example of this. Major Marrello shares their story in the hopes that at least one person who reads this, and who is unfortunately going through something similar, will know that they are not alone and that it gets better.

It all started in the summer of 2020, during the height of the pandemic. I had been working hard and, not wanting to add to the burden of the MIR, I kept putting off a physical appointment. I knew something was off, but thought it was just minor. I had always been really healthy. In September, after finally visiting the MIR and being referred to imaging, I learned I had an aggressive form of cancer.  I was immediately designated as ‘Very Seriously Ill’ and scheduled for treatment which started immediately and continued for the next 14 months. During my final 10 rounds of chemotherapy, I went back to work remotely as it provided both a distraction and sense of normalcy. Working by email from the confines of my bed, I could pretend things were normal. I felt shame for being sick and didn’t want people to know.  

Between 2021 and the middle of 2023, I had severe ups and downs; both physically and mentally. The treatment left me with speech, mobility and energy issues. At one of my lowest points, I had to stop working and could no longer walk a block. In my medical records was the note that a military doctor thought I had ‘no capacity to increase work hours’ in the future. I remember calling my Assisting Member in tears and asking them to help me return my CAF kit. I thought I was done. To get through this time I had to lean on the support my wife, family and friends.  

In the last year, almost 2 years after my treatment ended, my energy began to return slowly and my civilian doctor told me I was considered in remission. My workouts went from a matter of minutes to over an hour. The song lyric “I’ve still got a lot of fight left in me” became my training mantra and I listened the song on repeat. I had to learn quickly that recovery isn’t linear and I had many setbacks. However, through daily physical training, I took and easily passed the Common Military Task Fitness Evaluation. A colleague and friend accompanied me; their in-person support pushed me over the line.    

I am now looking forward to a future I thought was impossible; I am back to work full-time and plan to take part-time courses while continuing to serve. I did the 5k RCAF Run in May, and am now training for a 10k run. I am not done yet.