He talks about cancer with the same intensity that he describes his love for the outdoors – seriously, emotionally and truthfully.
After 25 treatments at the UCHealth Cancer Center — Pueblo, Glen Livengood is cancer-free, and has an important message to tell: Men need to take their health care seriously.
Livengood is no stranger to hard work. The cowboy hat and well-worn boots show a man who loves to be outside. An operations supervisor with Black Hills Energy and an avid outdoorsman, Livengood was not about to let a prostate cancer diagnosis slow him down.
Livengood was born and raised in the Westcliff, Colorado area, and he values the time he can spend with his family.
“I love to hunt, fish and be outdoors,” said Livengood. “I’m just a country person, so cutting wood, building fence, just being outside is my hobby. It’s a lifestyle that I grew up in and it’s important to me to be in that world.”
Livengood’s cancer journey starts with a normal yearly physical and exam.
“The doctor found a growth on my prostate,” said Livengood. “The biopsy returned positive for cancer. But that’s why we do it, that’s why we get those checkups, to catch it early.”
After follow-up testing, Livengood was referred to Dr. Suraj Singh at the newly opened Parkview Comprehensive Cancer Center (now UCHealth Cancer Center — Pueblo). After the consultation, Livengood opted for radiation treatment using the Varian Edge Linear Accelerator.
“I met with Dr. Singh and was impressed that he was so straightforward and honest,” added Livengood. “I didn’t want to undergo surgery. I was worried about the side effects and their impact to my lifestyle.”
Livengood was astonished with the accuracy and efficiency of the LINAC treatment, noting that at the end of the 25-treatment cycle and a two-week round of radiation seed treatments, he only felt some fatigue.
Livengood noted that “after all that, I’m 100 percent back to my normal life. And that’s the value of the quality-of-life following treatment. It was just as important as getting the cancer out.”
Livengood doesn’t hold back and let his ruggedness mask his emotions as he discusses his support team.
“I am lucky to have a great family support structure. I’ve had children with cancer, and my wife battled cancer. Now I have cancer – so we understand the fear of the cancer word.”
His sons, daughters, spouse and his co-workers all rallied around Livengood during his diagnosis and cancer treatment.
“They all wrapped their arms around me and provided the love and attention I needed. Then I get here (UCHealth Cancer Center — Pueblo), and I find a second family. They are positive, upbeat, professional. They understood my fear and took great care of me.”
Livengood calls his cancer diagnosis a “shot across the bow” that forced him to reevaluate his priorities.
“I’ve had to realign my values,” said Livengood. “But it has made my wife and I a better couple and my family is better intertwined and connected knowing that there is some fragility in our lives.”
“How can you fail when you have that great of a support system in your life?” said Livengood.
He hopes his story will inspire other men to take control of their health care and get regular physicals and check-ups with their family doctor.
“Men, it’s your job to get those yearly physicals, and get a prostate exam,” said Livengood. “Don’t let that be a mental block to a cancer diagnosis that can’t be cured. Don’t let your ego get in the way of staying alive. Be proactive.”
Livengood plans to retire soon, and looks forward to spending more time with family, friends and getting back to more outdoors adventures.
“Now I’m cancer free – and plan to live my life to the fullest.”