Having cancer is a lonely experience. The diagnosis is a battle, both mental and physical. I equate it to a boxing match. You’ve got Mickey, Apollo Creed and Rocky cheering you on, telling you to chase the chickens and punch the punching bag, but once you’re in the ring, you’ve got to win this fight on your own.

Winning anything involves having confidence, a sense of knowing you can do it and that “you’re the best around, nothing is gonna keep you down!” (Karate Kid song). And that confidence n...