Gary Buchanan, a 65-year-old from Zephyrhills, finds solace and purpose in playing pickleball while battling stage 4 metastatic prostate cancer. Diagnosed in April 2024 after experiencing severe back pain, his condition has spread throughout much of his body including his vertebrae, chest, skull, and hips. Although traditional chemotherapy eventually stopped working and he recently began a new round of treatments, Buchanan understands the seriousness of his diagnosis. The constant doctor appointments and medications can be overwhelming for him during this difficult time. However, when he steps onto the pickleball court at Mouratoglou Academy in Zephyrhills, he feels like himself again and forgets about his illness. His determination to continue playing despite his condition has inspired those around him including Alison Nelson who works as chief pickleball ambassador at the academy. Buchanan expects more chemotherapy treatments through January but has no plans to stop playing pickleball as the court offers him something medicine cannot provide – a few hours where he is simply a player rather than someone defined by cancer.
Pickleball Helps Man With Stage 4 Cancer Find Normalcy And Joy During Treatment
