Armando’s journey with cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), a rare biliary tract cancer, reflects the power of connection and resilience. Throughout his experience, he shared how the support of loved ones brought him strength and peace. His words continue to inspire the cancer community, honoring the courage and spirit he carried into every conversation.
Transcription:
Armando: I have lived a fulfilling and intense life, and I can look back with pride. And I do feel proud, even with all the problems-which we all have-and even with the mistakes I’ve made.
Armando’s son: Well, my father, Armando, he is truly a very enthusiastic person, and that gives him strength when facing challenges that life has thrown his way.
Armando: My wife, with whom I lived for 49 years. We were together for 49 years--a fulfilling life. She got Alzheimer’s, and we were together for 10 years after the disease was detected. Three months later, after my wife passed away--whose anniversary is next Wednesday--I was diagnosed with this disease. It was a rough year.
Armando: We had an appointment [with the doctor], I took my wife for a check-up, something usual, and when we were about to leave she (Armando’s doctor) said: ‘Wait, Armando, how long has it been since your last examination?’ Well, it’s been a year and a half or two. And then she goes: ‘I will perform a full health examination, because we need to take really good care of you,’ she said. After that, the test revealed a hilar cholangiocarcinoma. The doctor said I should be referred to another doctor, an oncologist and request a biopsy. ‘Why an oncologist?’ I said. ‘Cholangiocarcinoma is cancer,’ she replied.
Armando: Suddenly, after I was starting, so to speak, to get over the loss of Alicia, this comes like a terrible blow. First, to go from being a caregiver, a very demanding task, to become a patient. Totally unexpected. It was a blow and like having the ‘Sword of Damocles’ hanging over my head.
Armando’s son: In many ways, very little has changed, but in others, a lot has changed. He eventually started with chemotherapy, with immunotherapy, and we had to coordinate a way to include these sessions into our routine, until it became part of our lives.
Armando: An extraordinary amount of friends provided great support. And I used and took advantage of them, and they are with me in these unusual circumstances. That is my main support—they give me the energy to keep going. For those who were in Madrid, I invited them to dinner to celebrate the beginning of the cycles.
Armando: As you can see, I always take the opportunity to celebrate. Around October, I’m with the grandchildren, as you may have noticed, I said, ‘Let’s play a joke on them, I’ll comb my hair like a punk,’ jokingly, ‘and I’ll dye my hair.’ And the youngest she said, ‘But grandpa Armando, you don’t have any hair.’ ‘Well, I will get my beard painted then.’ I have always liked the color red. So I decided to dye my hair and beard red, and I said, ‘I’ll dye my hair red to begin a colorful year,’ this was the idea. With the idea in mind to start a colorful year—bring color to life.
Armando’s son: It’s been a year since he was diagnosed, he keeps his plans with friends, meals, dinners. He has a cultural agenda, which was already intense but continues without stop: theatre, cinema, magic shows, anything that comes up.
Armando: Don’t isolate yourself, that would be the worst. Seek help from friends, family, loved ones, from people you can trust. But above all, the closeness of family and loved ones, those who have accompanied you throughout your life they are essential. So, no isolation, talk about it, spread it, don’t hide it. Doing so will bring positive energy, which is what is needed to endure this rollercoaster that never stops.
