Author, and Cancer Warrior Dusty Mysen, shares his harrowing yet inspiring journey from a devastating diagnosis to becoming a survivor against all odds.
Discover how faith, relentless positivity, and a fighter’s mindset helped Dusty defy an 11% survival rate—and how you can apply his lessons to overcome your darkest moments.
Key Takeaways:
1. How a routine gallbladder misdiagnosis led to a life-altering discovery of pancreatic cancer—and why Dusty calls it a "blessing in disguise."
2. The night nurse’s unexpected prayer that shifted Dusty’s mindset from "dead man walking" to unwavering belief in survival.
3. Why tucking his kids into bed became a daily victory during chemo—and how stacking tiny wins builds resilience.
4. Dusty’s battle against an 80% first-year mortality rate and the Whipple procedure that saved his life (after two surgeons said it was impossible).
5. Dusty’s 6-point daily strategy (faith, positivity, physical fitness, family focus, and more) that kept him alive—and how it applies to any challenge.
Timestamps:
00:00 - High Achievers, Burnout, and the Search for Fulfillment
02:30 - Dusty’s "Perfect Life" Before Cancer: Family, Career, and Health
05:45 - The Misdiagnosis: Gallbladder Pain vs. Pancreatic Cancer
08:15 - The Brutal Diagnosis: A Surgeon’s Cold Delivery and Rock Bottom
12:00 - The Miracle Moment: A Nurse’s Prayer and the Shift to Survival Mode
15:30 - Dusty’s Battle Plan: Positivity, Fitness, and Family as Fuel
22:10 - The Failed Whipple Surgery: "Go Home and Get Your Affairs in Order"
25:40 - Defying the Odds: A Second Surgeon, a 13-Hour Surgery, and Victory
30:00 - Life After Cancer: Lessons on Hope, Persistence, and Living Fully
Connect with Dusty Mysen:
A Cancer Warrior: How I Fought And Survived My Battle With Pancreatic Cancer: https://a.co/d/5Uq7pQc
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dusty-mysen-1867688/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dusty.mysen
Connect with Ian Bowen:
Website: https://thepositivepersistence.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ianrbowen/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ianrbowen?lang=en
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@PositivePersistence-ch8fk
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