We Should All Believe In Miracles

"You feel like you're dying, you look like you're dying, people look at you like you're dying, and doctors are telling you you're dying."

That was radio programming vet John "JT" Thomas in 2015, recalling perhaps his lowest moment while suffering through a relapse of cancer. Seeing those words in print probably seems chilling, but let me tell you, hearing Thomas say them to me on the phone back then was beyond chilling. It was scary and powerful. It feels like a miracle that he's still here today.

Thomas' odyssey began in 2013, shortly after he'd left the PD gig at Bonneville Country KYGO/Denver. He was stunned by an out-of-the-blue cancer diagnosis. "A large tissue sarcoma in my right leg," Thomas explained to me. A five-pound tumor was removed from his right calf, which required what amounted to a rebuild of his lower leg. The chances of losing his leg entirely were 50-50.

Although it took two years, Thomas was on the road to recovery, when – cruelly – his cancer returned. "The cancer metastasized to my sinus cavity, which ended up being very aggressive, although we did catch it early," he recalled when we spoke in 2015. He then had to withstand another surgery followed by 35 rounds of radiation to the face.

Thomas persevered, recovered again, and returned to radio; he'd already had a successful, 30-plus year career highlighted by programming KYGO, which followed years as OM for the Entercom/Rochester cluster. In the fall of 2015, Thomas joined iHeartMedia/Springfield, MA in an SVP/Programming role. Unfortunately, his health forced him to step away once more in February of last year.

Throughout his ordeal – which, is by no means over – Thomas has maintained a positive outlook that has been inspiring to watch. He's been a strong and consistent presence on Facebook, posting updates on his health and sharing his personal outreach to other cancer patients, some whom he knows well; others of whom he does not.

I first met JT – as he is affectionately known by so many – in 2010 while he was still in Rochester. All Access publisher Joel Denver and JT have been friends for years, dating back to JT's time in Pop radio. A recent conversation hatched a column idea, which JT wanted to call #IBelieveInMiracles, the purpose of which would be providing support, inspiration, and hope to cancer patients in our business, as well as their families.

On the day-to-day, All Access consistently provides news, analysis, and insight into what we all do for a living. What can also be useful sometimes, however, is perspective on living our life away from work. For example, Country Radio Seminar has provided wellness programs in recent years, offering inflammation testing, COPD screenings, and hearing tests for attendees. The objective was to help people in our business take a minute to put down the iPhone, get off email, and make sure they're healthy enough to enjoy a longer career and fulfilling personal life.

And that is what JT's newly-launched column, #IBelieveInMiracles, is about, too. As Thomas explains in his bio, "I am still here. My only life goal from here on out is to educate, inform, and bring awareness in regard to how to deal with life through huge tragedy through this weekly column on AllAccess.com."

I've interviewed JT a lot in the past five years. He's an intelligent, articulate, and thoughtful person. I always rooted for him as a programmer, and I continue to root for him now in his role as an All Access colleague – and during his continuing recovery. I'm proud to share his first-ever column; I hope we are able to run it for many years to come.

One Day You're On Top, The Next Day You're Out - Deal With It

One day, life will be going the way you planned it ... you're running a major market, a VP of a record label, a captain of industry, or your own successful business. Money, friends, everything you've ever wanted is at your fingertips, and then all of the sudden, a moment hits you as if you're gut-punched. You can't breathe, think, or even process what just happened!

After 3 surgeries, 65 rounds of radiation, 24 rounds of chemo, and a loss 55 pounds!

What are you going to do now? How do you proceed? How do you tell someone you love? How do you navigate the next steps of your life? You can't sleep, you can't think, how are you going to even stay on top of your game, let alone make it through the next day?

It's inside of you, it's actually inside of everyone, but the truth is, the moment you're hit with the life-changing news, an instant decision has to be made whether this diagnosis or curve-ball will take you out of the game or whether you'll fight!

As PD of legendard KYGO/Denver.

I know something about this. I've programmed, been on-air, and also did well outside of our business ... and then one day, I got the news. An orthopedic onconogost told me, "You have late-stage cancer that is incurable, and it's going to take your life."

I swung, I hit, and I've even curled up in a fetal position. Life will throw you a curve-ball, be it a loss of a job, a child with autism, or -- like me -- the news that your life may be over before you know it.

Last week with lifelong friend, former WZAT evening talent Will Vougt and Kid Kelly at WWRS!

My hope and prayers are that you never get the news I got, but if you do, I'll help you navigate it! Navigating it isn't as hard as you think if you're prepared, so if you find yourself in this circumstance, just reach out and I'll help you look inside!

In Boulder Colorado, hiking The Flatirons, my favorite place on earth!

E-mail, call, or find me below, and within time, the tools you have inside will be triggered -- and you'll be on your way to not only helping yourself but others! #IBelieveInMiracles