On our latest podcast, Chris from Upsticks to Spain sat down with his longtime friend Skatz from YouTooSpain to talk about a deeply personal topic—Skatz’s journey through cancer while living in Spain. Having hosted nearly 60 live shows together, this was an emotional and important conversation for them both.
Skatz first noticed symptoms in 2023, but it took almost a year of tests and waiting before he was diagnosed with colon cancer. From there, it was full steam ahead with treatment—five weeks of radiotherapy and chemo tablets, followed by intravenous chemo and more tablets in cycles. The side effects were tough: fatigue, nausea, and pain mostly caused by the treatment, not the cancer itself.
The road to recovery wasn’t easy. After chemotherapy, Skatz underwent robotic surgery to remove the tumour, followed by a challenging recovery period with a stoma bag. There were hiccups with prescriptions and pharmacy runs, but Skatz powered through with determination and a focus on staying positive.
Chris and Skatz also touched on the importance of mental health during treatment, the support of family and friends, and how essential it is to be proactive with healthcare. Bringing someone along to appointments, who can help advocate for you, was one of their key takeaways.
Tune in on YouTube or Spotify to hear the full story—it’s honest, moving, and packed with practical advice for anyone facing a similar journey. Don’t miss it!