For more than 40 years, Jack measured his life in miles.
Cycling was never simply exercise. It was where he worked through challenges, celebrated victories, spent time with his wife, Carol, and reminded himself that difficult things become manageable when you keep moving forward.
In November 2024, Jack completed the 102-mile Tour de Tucson with three friends, finishing 18th in his age group and already looking forward to returning the following year.
A few months later, something changed.
Climbing hills became harder. At first, Jack blamed age, allergies, or losing some fitness over the winter. The real answer came when an X-ray revealed a large amount of fluid around his right lung. A series of tests eventually led to a diagnosis of malignant pleural mesothelioma.
Suddenly, the cyclist who had spent decades pushing himself on the road was facing an entirely different kind of challenge.
Jack’s treatment included a major nine-hour pleurectomy and decortication surgery, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy. His recovery was anything but straightforward. He experienced a serious breathing emergency, atrial fibrillation, multiple complications, and another surgery. At one point, more than a dozen tubes, drains, and other connections were attached to him. Even walking a quarter mile around the hospital became a significant accomplishment.
But Jack had something to work toward.
Cycling gave him a reason to keep moving.
About eight weeks after surgery, with his physical therapist’s approval, Jack climbed onto his indoor bike for the first time. He managed 15 minutes at an average of 73 watts—less than one-third of the power he once could sustain for an hour. But the number didn’t matter. For Jack, 73 watts meant he was a cyclist again.
During chemotherapy, he learned one of the hardest lessons of his journey: progress doesn’t always look like progress. Some days meant a longer indoor ride. Other days meant resting. Sometimes moving forward meant simply getting through another round of treatment.
Then came his first outdoor ride.
Jack rode 5.5 miles with Carol around their neighborhood on his new e-bike. It wasn’t the 102-mile Tour de Tucson. It wasn’t fast. But it was a milestone. Jack was no longer a patient hoping to ride again.
He was riding again.
Today, Jack continues immunotherapy, and his latest scans have shown no progressive disease. He knows there is uncertainty ahead and that his cycling ability will never return to where it was before mesothelioma. But he isn’t letting his diagnosis define what comes next.
Jack is more than mesothelioma.
He is a husband. A friend. A lifelong cyclist. A competitor. A person who finds purpose in setting goals and working toward them. And he is someone who understands that the hardest journeys aren’t completed alone.
This year, Jack’s cycling friends are returning to the Tour de Tucson. He doesn’t know whether he’ll ride 32 miles, 62 miles, or all 102. He doesn’t know how fast he’ll go or where he’ll finish.
And this time, those numbers don’t matter.
Simply rolling across that starting line with his friends will feel like winning.
Jack’s story is a reminder that mesothelioma may change your path, but it doesn’t have to define your destination.
Jack is More Than Meso.
If you are interested in telling your story or your loved one’s story and how they are #MoreThanMeso, please reach out to our Communications Manager, Melissa Gerard at [email protected].
Learn more about #MoreThanMeso here
