Philip Felshman was given only a few years to live.
The then-55-year-old was diagnosed with Stage IV colorectal cancer in January 2025, facing a grim prognosis: Tumors had spread from his colon to his lungs and liver, an essential organ that clears our bodies of toxins and ensures healthy functioning.
The otherwise healthy New Yorker described the news as a "big shock." He'd been happily working for 33 years as a service manager, enjoying time with his wife and their son. When he suddenly struggled to walk up the stairs of his Manhattan home, he never imagined it would be cancer.
"It was a terrifying diagnosis," Felshman told USA TODAY. "I was living with the fact I may not see my family if nothing worked."
Yet nearly a year later, Felshman, 56, is now cancer-free. He receives smiles at the hospital where he goes for regular checks. He's working on regaining strength to return to work full-time this month.
