Performer Takes on a Fight

It’s likely that all of us have been touched by cancer in one way or another. This week in the Buzz we will look at how Dan Dean of the trio Phillips, Craig & Dean is doing after recently finding out he had prostate cancer.

It was seemingly a typical annual check-up, until the lab work came back and his doctor informed Dean that he had cancer. Initially he was shocked at the devastating news. His wife was able to be strong for him at first, but then the reality of a very uncertain future hit her as well. Dan had a hard time telling his kids, but they were very supportive.

His initial thought was to not worry the other guys in the group, Randy and Shawn, but his manager talked him into it. He tried to downplay it but had to admit that “anytime you have cancer … it’s a big deal”.

As a pastor, Dean had always been the one who was encouraging others in their time of distress. He wasn’t sure how he was going to break the news to them, but his congregation became his biggest source of prayer support. The Bible verse he thought of most often during this time was Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him and he shall direct your paths.”

That trust was vital when it came to deciding which form of treatment to pursue. Surgery was scheduled, but uncertainty continued. Dean remembers waking up and hoping for a good report from the doctor. Not only was the surgeon sure they had taken out all the cancer, but when the lab reports came back a few days later it was confirmed that Dean was cancer free. He is naturally a little concerned that something could come up in the future but he knows if it does God will be there to walk through it with him again.

This experience confirmed something Dean had always believed. Some think that “... we’re earthly beings having a spiritual experience every once in a while. The truth is, we’re spiritual beings having a avery temporary earthly experience.” Dean is still singing, still living for God and still trusting Him through it all.