Scott Hamilton, the 1984 Olympic gold medalist in figure skating, is battling brain tumour for the third time since 2004. He is grateful that the tumour is benign, but whatever happens to him moving forward, Hamilton said he is going to be praising God all the way.
Hamilton went in for a regular check-up this year, and doctors told him that they found the beginnings of a brain tumour, according to PEOPLE. "I have a unique hobby of collecting life-threatening illness," he said. "It's six years later, and it decided that it wanted an encore."
Hamilton was referring to his battle with testicular cancer back in 1997 and two previous brain tumours in 2004 and 2010.
The physical challenges are enough to make anyone upset, but Hamilton has strong moral support in God and his wife. When they found out about his new tumour, the couple just shrugged it off.
"When this one came back, six years ago, I told Tracie. She was devastated. This time, I go, 'Well, here we go again.' She's like, 'Really, it's back? Okay, we'll just deal with it.' And that was it," said Hamilton. "My 12-year-old son came to me, and he said, 'Is your brain tumour back?' And I go, 'Yeah, it is! And here we go again.' So I set the tone."
Hamilton added that he's beyond happy with everything that has happened in his life, so whatever happens in this new battle, he is going to rely on his Christian faith to get him through.
"I've been blessed beyond my wildest imagination; I would never even think to dream the stuff that I've been able to do," he said. "Last round, in 2010, I told Tracie, 'God doesn't owe me a day. I'm good. Whatever's next is next.' The blessings keep coming because we allow them and we ask for them."
He is currently exploring all possible treatment options before his symptoms begin to manifest, and he is suggesting the same approach for anyone who is going through the same thing.
"I'll tell anybody that will listen: If you're ever facing anything, get as many opinions as you possibly can," he said. "The more you truly understand what you're up against, the better decision you're going to make."
