HOUSTON — Jonathon Bialas is living life to its fullest now that he's cancer-free.
In 2023, he was diagnosed with colon cancer.
"How does one deal with the knowledge that they could die in the near future?" Bialas told KHOU 11 last year. "I take it one day at a time."
Taking it one day at a time has been working quite well for Bialus. Really well, in fact.
"Although one year out is something to celebrate, he's not out of the woods quite yet," said Dr. Marianne Cusick, a UT Physicians colon and rectal surgeon. "As with any cancer patient, there's always a potential for recurrence. We actually look at a 5-year recurrence."
But so far, so good for Bialas who gave up drinking alcohol and smoking after his diagnosis.
"You've got to stop that," he said. "Those things can cause secondary cancers, so no I don't do that anymore."
Bialas also added more fiber and less red meat to his diet. Now he has more time to do the things he loves with the people he cares about. He also has more time to deal with the problems that come along with life -- one day at a time.
"I'm actually happy to get older now," he said. "It actually makes me appreciate the concept of becoming old now."
Read more from our Health Matters series here.