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Walt Frehe is mature muscle’s
man of the year, 2003.
Walt is a man’s man, courageous and tough, living his
life with an optimistic attitude that belies the pain he endures.
He stands tall and lean, with raw lines and a look that’s
a cross between a 12 meter skipper and an aviator. In the
midst of his battle with vicious melanoma cancer he’s
added another facet… triathlete.
His precious Barbara introduced us. The goal was to dial in
his lifestyle and get him back into physical action as he
recovered from his first surgery and fought the challenge
of daily chemo. Walt did that and much more.
Two years ago, a checkup revealed a melanoma site on his right
shin. That lead to a deep and complex surgery, then several
more as additional tumors were found in his thigh.
To keep a positive focus and fight the side effects of an
extended series of chemo injections, he trained for his first
triathlon. Despite cold water and a tough course, he finished
the event in style, then was surrounded by cheering friends
and supporters.
A month later he did his second triathlon, winning the novice
division of his age group.
It was early summer. He thought he was in the clear.
The cancer came raging back. Melanoma tumors broke out all
over his leg. He tightened down the attitude and took his
fight to the next level. There were more surgeries and a new
protocol of chemotherapy administered in intensive care that
took him to death’s door.
In the middle of it all he had cardiac problems and ended
up with a pacemaker. He insisted on the “sports model.”
Every break in the process found him back in the gym, medical
clearance to exercise in hand. He hit the weights, got his
cardio, did the best he could.
There were more surgeries and procedures on the leg. One treatment
produced mesas of bleeding pustules the diameter of quarters.
Melanoma tumors kept breaking out at the surface, bruised
marbles bearing their ominous message. Over the months they
grew. He joked that he was in perfect shape “except
for one lousy leg.”
He took the fight to the next level.
He underwent a major limb perfusion procedure, then several
laser excisions. Now he’s back to intense chemotherapy.
He remains powerfully optimistic.
He’s always planning for his next triathlon. He likes
his chances and I do too.
Throughout the misery of the disease and the cure, he maintains
his optimism and cheerfulness. He encourages anyone he comes
in contact with to follow their dreams, and gives little sign
of his own struggle.
When you talk to him it sounds like a classic sports interview,
where the hero gives the credit to his team mates (Barbara,
the girls and their men, close friends Kathy and the tireless
Judy,) his managers (the doctors and nurses) and the fans
(the countless people who love him and are pulling for him).
He’ll tell you just he’s taking it one day at
a time, happy to be in the game.
Walt has drawn power from Lance Armstrong; his victory over
cancer, the five wins of the Tour de France, his support of
survivors and the fight for cures. He has pulled Lance through
most of the stages of his last few Tour wins, often from a
bed, always chomping at the bit to be up and at ‘em.
Lance would be proud of Walt Frehe, the 2003 Mature Muscle
Man of the Year.
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All Rights Reserved.
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