Gary’s Story: A Decade of Strength, Gratitude, and Defying the Odds

Ten years ago, Gary Poteat sat down at work just as he had hundreds of times before. As a medical physicist in radiation oncology, he was accustomed to reviewing CT scans with oncologists — studying tumors, planning treatments, and helping others navigate the fight against cancer.

But this day was different. The CT scan on the screen was his own.

“As we scrolled through the images, my only comment was that if this was one of our patients, I would say, ‘Poor b*****d.’ The doctor did not disagree.”

That moment changed everything. What had once been routine suddenly became deeply personal. Gary was diagnosed with Stage IV renal cell carcinoma (RCC), and his doctor estimated that he had about one year to live — the median survival rate at the time.

“I thought I would die soon,” Gary recalls. “That was the doctor’s best guess.”

Yet here he is, a decade later, still standing strong.

An Unexpected and Relentless Journey

Gary’s first symptom was blood in his urine, which led to a diagnosis of advanced kidney cancer that had already spread. He underwent surgery to remove the affected kidney, followed by radiation therapy and immunotherapy/chemotherapy. His disease is considered stable today — with some remaining spots on scans that haven’t grown, but haven’t disappeared either.

“It was the end of what I thought my life was,” Gary says, “and the beginning of a decade of suffering and fear — and, oddly enough, happiness and gratitude.”

The Power of a Partner’s Determination

Gary credits one person above all others for his survival — his wife.

“She is the biggest reason I am alive after 10 years with Stage IV RCC,” he says. “She refused to accept the advice I received to only get palliative care and not remove the primary tumor.”

She became his advocate, researcher, and lifeline — relentlessly seeking the best care, clinical trials, and doctors. She also began sharing what she learned with hundreds of other patients through an online RCC forum.

“She is the real hero of my story,” Gary says with deep gratitude.

A Shift in Perspective

Living with advanced cancer reshaped Gary’s view of happiness and purpose.

“In the easy days of good health and good fortune, I thought those things produced happiness. Nothing could be more wrong,” he reflects. “It is said that if a person has a ‘why’ for living, they can deal with any ‘how.’ Once I focused on my why — and made a conscious decision to be grateful for each day — I discovered the truth.”

Today, Gary finds joy in woodworking, flower photography, and exercise. These creative and physical outlets allow him to live fully, even with the daily reminders of his illness.

He acknowledges that life with cancer is a constant emotional roller coaster — revisiting feelings of anger, denial, and depression — yet he’s learned to return, again and again, to acceptance and peace.

“Despite the pain, the side effects, and the worry about what the next scan will show, I can only say, ‘More, please.’”

Ten Years and Counting

Gary’s words echo with wisdom earned through a decade of perseverance:

“This is a life I would not wish on my worst enemy, but also a life I will not willingly give up. I survive — and mostly thrive.”

For those newly diagnosed with kidney cancer, Gary’s advice is simple and profound:

“Do not give up. Accept and make the best of your new life.”

His story is not one of denial or false hope — but of resilience, realism, and remarkable gratitude. Gary continues to show that even with Stage IV cancer, life can still be filled with meaning, love, and beauty.