How Eduardo's Passion for Board Games Helped Him Overcome Cancer
Eduardo, a 65-year-old prostate cancer survivor, vividly recalls the day he was diagnosed. "It was sometime in September of 2020. I went to the bathroom and, for some reason, I saw a speck of blood. I ignored it at first, but then I saw more blood the second and third times. So maybe it was a blessing in disguise.”
Despite initially thinking it might be hemorrhoids, Eduardo went to his urologist in Queens, who did a PSA blood test, which determined Eduardo had prostate cancer. "He told me it was developing to stage three, but we caught it in time. He said it would have been a different outcome if it were stage four or higher." Eduardo was referred for radiation treatment.
He sought treatment at New York Cancer & Blood Specialists, where he met Radiation Oncologist Dr. Talha Shaikh. At that time, Dr. Shaikh's office was in Manhattan, and at the beginning of January 2021, Eduardo began his cancer journey. He underwent radiation therapy for 45 consecutive days.
Eduardo underwent many painful procedures during his treatment, including biopsies, injections, and CT scans. Still, he was grateful for the care and kindness of the staff, particularly radiation therapists Susan, Anthony, and Frank. "What I went through, what I experienced, was something I would hope and wish all other cancer patients could experience - the friendliness, the courteousness, the professionalism, and the all-around kindness was unbelievable. I consider them my friends.” Now, Eduardo sees Dr. Shaikh every four months for check-ups, and he's happy to report that all his PSA tests have been excellent.
Throughout treatment, Eduardo kept his mind busy by exploring his artistic side. He indulged in various activities, such as solving 1000-piece jigsaw puzzles, and has since completed over 85 of which he frames beautifully. Eduardo also purchased markers, colored pencils, cardstock, and a few board games like Monopoly, Sorry!, and Candyland. He then spent a day redesigning one of the board game boxes, creating his unique board, and adding his own pieces. Playing his newly created board game with his family proved to be fun.
Eduardo's fever for creating board games continued, and in a year and a half, he has created over 25 board game prototypes, each uniquely different from the other. He has since written letters and sent boxes with a few parts to showcase his prototypes to famous game manufacturers like Parker Brothers, Mattel, and Hasbro. Although some companies showed interest in hiring him as a designer, Eduardo does not intend to return to work as he enjoys having the freedom to spend time with his wife and granddaughter.
Eduardo looks forward to the day when he can finally sell his creations to the world.
Having utilized patience, persistence, and strategic thinking to overcome his cancer, Eduardo continues to apply those same methods to his new endeavor.