Gord Thibodeau has received a cancer diagnosis again, the fourth time that the former head coach of the McMurray Oil Barons has faced this type of diagnosis. Non-Hodgkins lymphoma seems determined to take Gord out, but the coach is just as determined to beat the condition this time around as he was the last 3 times. According to Gord “It’s been a constant battle. It’s almost like I’ve lived with this enemy beside me, and every five or 10 years I have to push him away. It never seems to fully cure. As a hockey coach, you are always pushing your players to never quit, and it’s ironic from a hockey standpoint.. I have to tip my hat to this cancer for sticking around. I almost have a begrudging respect for this disease for not quitting but I’m not giving up, either.”

One positive aspect of the cancer diagnosis for Gord Thibodeau is that non-Hodgkins lymphoma is a cancer that is considered one of the most treatable as long as it is detected early on. In December a biopsy led to the discovery of lymph node swelling, and in January Gord was laid low by streptococcus pneumonia. Gord explained “They did some more tests, and the doctor came back and said, ‘I’m sorry to tell you, but the test came back positive.’ ”. In the back of my mind, I knew the cancer was back, but I was trying to hold off dealing with it for as long as I could. The timing was awful. My wife was going through another episode with her MS, but I had a lot of thoughts running through my head. I was beginning to wonder if this was it. I took time before I reached out and got confirmation. It was stupid when I think about it, but it was because of fear. Thank God, the time factor didn’t cost me.”