Ray, 65, was always active, hunting elk, shoeing horses at the track, and celebrating his daughter’s wedding. Esophageal cancer interrupted his plans, but never his positivity. Surrounded by top-shelf cancer professionals at West Penn Hospital, he moved rapidly to a diagnosis, and then through chemo, radiation, and surgery. Hear why he credits divine intervention, his surgeon, and great people for his survival.

The I Had Cancer podcast provides personal and truthful conversations with cancer survivors along their journeys. Each episode will feature a different person with their unique perspective on their own fight against cancer. They are sharing their story to help others who might be facing similar challenges and to say they went from “I Have Cancer” to “I Had Cancer.” If you would like to be a guest on a future I Had Cancer Podcast, send an email to IHadCancer@highmarkhealth.org with your name and phone number.