Mr. Ryan McCartney

Hi my name is Ryan McCartney. I’m a 1 year cancer survivor. I was first diagnosed with stage 3 colorectal cancer in January of 2016. Since then it’s been a uphill battle for survival.

I was born in Nassau in the early 1970s. I was schooled in Nassau and in the late 80s I graduated high school. Immediately after graduation, I was employed at Resorts International Paradise island , in the housekeeping department. There I worked there for a couple years before leaving to attend technical college in Atlanta Ga.

After completion of my courses, I returned back to the Bahamas and was re employed back at the hotel . It was then Sun International Atlantis. I returned as a valet parking attendant and quickly moved up to being a doorman.

It was at this time my love of scuba diving led me to persue getting my openwater certification. And after tireless studies and courses completed my rescue diver and instructor courses with the Padi dive institute .

In the mid 1990s saw the arrival of my beautiful baby girl . No better gift a proud dad can ask for on Christmas day .

The turn of the century brought on a new outlook for me and my career. I resigned from the hotel and went into the construction field to join my father at his company.
The early 2000s saw the arrival of my second child a boy. The construction field was hard work, but it was my passion to work with my hands . My work took me to numerous islands . Andros , Exuma, Abaco , Cat island and finally home sweet home Eleuthera.
It was in January of last year , while on the job , my first symptoms of my disease was detected. I went to the ER at PMH and was subjected to numerous tests . I was later admitted . The next few days were real trying . The test all concluded the presence of a tumor in my lower colon . Without waiting for the pathology report on the final test , my skilled and knowledgeable surgical staff placed a port in my chest . I was later released from hospital . The good Lord would have it that my cousin is a medical professor in Baltimore university, which is reknown for one of the best cancer treatment centers in the world . After conferring with him , I was off to Baltimore.

Being away from home for 12 weeks was really hard , but my treatment was top priority. My family in Baltimore was most accommodating. Treatment went textbook . I returned to Nassau to have the surgery to remove the diseased portion of my colon . After 8 long hours on the operating table and my recovery, my surgical team said the surgery was difficult but nonetheless a success.
I spent the next 21 days in hospital . Everyday improving but fighting . Upon my release my family took over my care until I was able to do things for my self .

Two months after surgery , my surgeon gave me the all clear to return back to work . The days of me being on rest was coming to an end . The surgeon’s , nurses , family and numerous friends hard work and prayers payed off . My new family at our support group at the Cancer society received me well.
I’m pleased to be honored by Remilda Rose this year. With the theme . Let your light shine . Faith in God, knowing that he has me here for a purpose. To give my testimony. That every day above ground is a day to give praise and thanks. Also to let others know, that he is able to do all things. Cancer is not a death sentence. It is a call to wake up and live.

Love life , and life will love u back . It’s time for us survivors to rise up. Be a bastion of hope for those who have just been diagnosed. Use our testimonials. To bring hope to those in despair. LET OUR LIGHT SHINE