You hear it often from cancer patients about the diagnosis: The word stings. In an instant, mortality is very real and oddly tangible, and priorities shift instantly. Steve Byrnes [of FoxSports1, formerly SPEED] was no different. It was early August 2013 when Byrnes’ doctor called with the news: throat cancer, which had spread to a lymph node. Byrnes wasn’t panicked, especially. But his life rushed at him like a freight train, thoughts of and fears for his family, not so much himself. ‘When you hear that word ‘ I’m not going to lie ‘ I had uncomfortable moments,’ said Byrnes, 54, a veteran Fox Sports motorsports broadcaster. ”Will I see my son grow up?’ He’s 11 now. ‘What’s going to happen to my family?’ You think all those deep thoughts that we don’t really ever want to deal with.’ Treatment began immediately. Doctors told Byrnes to prepare for a difficult 10-week span. He chose to take chemotherapy and radiation simultaneously; a very aggressive treatment protocol. The first day of chemo was Sept. 11, at Levine Hospital in Pineville, N.C.
When news of Byrnes’ illness filtered through the sport, the resulting support from folks he’d touched was overwhelming to him. Dale Earnhardt Jr. called to offer well-wishes, and noted that if Byrnes needed plane rides or doctor appointments, whatever, it would be arranged. Just call. Jimmie Johnson sent Byrnes a text message from the championship banquet. Just this week, with Byrnes back on the set of Fox Sports 1’s ‘NASCAR Race Hub’ program, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. gave Byrnes a bear hug and a ‘glad you’re back.’ That matters to Byrnes deeply.(see full article by Marty Smith at ESPN.com)(2-7-2014)
