Colorado Rockies: Chad Bettis Talks About His Latest Cancer Battle

On Friday, Colorado Rockies pitcher Chad Bettis met with the media to talk about his announcement that he would need chemotherapy to battle cancer.

After surgery for testicular cancer in November and doctors giving him the green light in December, things seemed to be progressing on schedule for the 27-year-old Bettis. He made his first start of spring training on Sunday against the Milwaukee Brewers and threw two effective innings.

However, things began to change last week when a biopsy was ordered because of some noticed growth in lymph nodes. On Tuesday, an oncologist delivered the news to Bettis that his cancer had spread.

"“The biopsy was last Thursday and we were waiting for the results to come back this week. We had a meeting with our oncologist on Tuesday and that’s when we found out everything and that’s when we started drawing up the plan,” Bettis said. “We wanted to know what was causing the growth in the lymph nodes. We felt like we were able to reach one and biopsy it so we went ahead and did that.”"

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While the news was “unfortunate,” according to Bettis, he was also somewhat prepared for what might be coming.

"“It’s unfortunate and it sucks honestly,” Bettis said. “At the point and time initially going through everything, we might have to go through this anyway. The mindset was kind of always there, that I might have to go through something like a round of chemo initially. Then you find out that you don’t have to go through it and then you have to go through it. It’s like, ‘Well, crap. Alright.’ It was something that was already in my head initially and knowing that I have to go through it and it puts me at a really high cure rate is much better for me.”"

Bettis said the support from his teammates and the Rockies organization has been, “Great. It’s been overwhelming. Everybody has supported me as they’re fighting there with me.”

At the moment, there isn’t a timeline for Bettis to return to the mound. However, he is optimistic he’ll be back pitching for the Rockies at some point this season.

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"“Baseball is on the backburner now,” Bettis said. “I have to get this beat and get it out of me. But it (baseball) is also what’s still driving me. To get back out there optimistically this year. We’ll see how everything goes and go from there.”"