Beyond the 5 Years with Marcus Tankard

BEYOND THE FIVE YEARS: MARCUS TANKARD ON SURVIVING STAGE FOUR COLORECTAL CANCER Marcus Tankard shares the story of his stage four colorectal cancer diagnosis, the treatment decisions that changed his outcome, and the mindset that helped him keep going. This conversation centers on advocacy, faith, community, and the practical ways he and his family adapted through chemo, radiation, surgery, and recovery. We discuss Marcus’s path from diagnosis in 2021 to being clear today, plus the role of his wife, his support system, and the habits that helped him stay mentally grounded. If you want a candid, hopeful account of what long-term survival can look like, this one is full of hard-won insight. KEY TOPICS Marcus shares his pre-cancer life in missions, journalism, ministry, marriage, and fatherhood before moving to Houston. He explains how he dismissed blood in his stool as hemorrhoids, a delay that led to a stage four colorectal cancer diagnosis after colonoscopy and biopsy. We discuss why he sought a second opinion at MD Anderson and why his original plan of 12 rounds of chemo was replaced with a more measured approach. Marcus describes the physical toll of chemo, including neuropathy, nausea, hair loss, and a severe reaction to anti-nausea medication. He talks about advocating for himself, saying no when treatment was too much, and taking time to mentally prepare before each round. We discuss the importance of a strong village, especially his wife, family, and friends who showed up in practical ways. Marcus shares how faith, therapy, and intentionally focusing on peace helped him manage the emotional side of cancer. He explains the lifestyle changes he made, including diet, exercise, blood pressure monitoring, and choosing long-term goals to stay focused. Marcus walks through radiation, APR surgery, and ending up with a permanent colostomy and what that adjustment has meant day to day. He closes with the mindset he would give his past self: you are okay, breathe, do the thing, and don’t let cancer tell you how to live.