Ben's Heavyweight Cancer Fight

Ben has been diagnosed with Stage 4 Carcinoma Cell Epidermoid carcinoma which is an advanced head and neck soft tissue cancer that has metastasized into his lymph nodes and lung. This diagnosis was finally identified after a "common" cold back in March of 2020 producing a sore throat and jaw with sinus and bronchial congestion sending Ben for Covid-19 testing twice with negative results both times. With no change in his condition, the next doctor visit identified his illness as an abscessed tooth for which he went through two rounds of antibiotics... and still no change. The next diagnosis was Mumps as the swelling and pain grew in Ben's jaw and neck with more antibiotic treatment. More testing and doctor visits were frequent throughout the summer accompanying the increasing jaw and neck pain which by this point was inhibiting Ben's ability to eat, chew and swallow food causing him to lose almost a third of his initial body weight and eventually made it too painful to even have a conversation... Then, on September 3rd Ben got the diagnosis....IT'S CANCER....


Our Ben has always been 100% devoted to whatever he sets set mind to being apart of, whether it be work, family, friends, or hobbies. To see a man so engaged, proud and supportive to his family is something very special to witness. Building a career in construction he has dedicated his talents to ensuring the safety of everyone he works with as a Construction Safety Officer and safety trainer. As an avid motorcyclist he has created many friendships and connections and always treats everyone as family within minutes of an introduction. We know Ben will apply this steadfast commitment with all of his passion to fight this diagnosis. Ben has been a fighter his whole life. Through workplace injuries, he fought and recovered. After motorcycle accidents, he fought and recovered. After having addictions he fought and recovered. He has fought his smoking addiction now for 28 years without a cigarette and has just celebrated his 30th birthday as a recovering alcoholic without so much as a sip. Ben is used to being a fighter. But now he is in the greatest fight of his life. We have all the confidence that this is another fight Ben will come out on top and kick cancer's ass.

However, due to his health obstacles and also Covid-19 Ben has been unable to work and will be unable to work through the duration of his treatment which is just in it's initial phase of his Doctors action plan. He has currently just started his first round of chemo and will continue the chemotherapy for at least 3 months to determine how the spot on his lung reacts to treatment and will likely require surgery to remove the spot on his lung as well as the mass in his neck and jaw area. As many of us know this plan can change depending how Ben's body responds to treatments outlined in his recovery plan.

On behalf of myself Kris Kristjanson (Saskatoon, SK) close personal friend of Ben Bonsan (Saskatoon, SK), and his family and friends Thank you for taking the time to share in Ben's story and journey.