Chad Bettis Opens Up About His Cancer Battle and Future

Surgery was enough for Bettis. The cancer was caught in time. It’s a thought that still has to sink in, he says.

“It was tough but we’re good. We (Bettis and his wife, Kristina) relied heavily on each other. Both of our families knew. There was a lot of prayer and we relied on that, moreso than anything,” Bettis said. “The more I think about it, the tougher it is. I feel like it still hasn’t completely set in that it’s gone. It was tough but we got through it and a lot of it came from faith and each other and our families and our immediate family and friends and teammates and their wives. The support I got was unbelievable.”

Part of that support came from new Colorado manager Bud Black.

“He’s been good, not only in the brief time that I’ve been able to talk to him but he’s very knowledgeable, very personable, smart, intelligent guy, but also the support he’s given me through this entire process. It’s been great,” Bettis said. “I felt like we didn’t beat around the bush. It was like, ‘Hey, we’re stuck together for a couple of years here.’ He knew what was going on and supported my wife and I through the entire process.”

Bettis said monitoring will be a part of his foreseeable future. He’s thankful the cancer was caught in time.

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“I haven’t gone through any treatments,” Bettis said. “I’m not saying that I couldn’t. It’s always a possibility to have to go through something. But I haven’t had to do any chemo or radiation and I think that’s big. If your body doesn’t need it, you shouldn’t do that. That’s where I’ve stood. Essentially, it was just surgery and the rehab from it. Now it’s getting scans and lab work on a very regular basis. Right now, I’m doing it every six weeks and it tapers off.

“I’m back normal, other than having to be proactive in getting scans and checkups regularly. I actually threw a bullpen last Friday (25 pitches) and everything felt great. We’re on track. I think there was some talk about whether or not to miss a couple of days here or there before spring training but everything is normal. Everything is going to be fine and healthy. It’s a great day.”

Bettis has another scan scheduled for late February but said bloodwork was really “the telltale sign” if there was something to worry about.

Not long after that next scan, he’ll welcome his first daughter into the world. She’s due on March 29, right before the season begins. Bettis smiled when he talked about becoming a father.

“It’s just been a miracle, having our little girl on the way and knowing that my wife and I had to get through this,” Bettis said. “I think it would’ve been much harder if we had already had her. More questions could’ve been asked if we weren’t pregnant. It’s a blessing.”