He’s the former Crimson Tide quarterback who played for coaches Ray Perkins, Bill Curry and Gene Stallings. Last month he turned 56. He feels happy and blessed. He’s been cancer free for six years, and he’s not sweating the small stuff.
It’s July 3, 2018, and life is good for Gary Hollingsworth. The general manager of Clayton Manufactured Homes in Addison, Alabama, the former ‘Bama gunslinger is busy with work and blessed to have his wife, Sharyn, by his side. His son, Drake, is 22 and his daughter, Callie, is 19. As he shaves, he looks at himself in the mirror. Gary’s mind harkens back.
It’s July 18, 2018, and it’s a good thing Gary Hollingsworth looks in the mirror. His face is swollen, so his primary doctor suggests that he see specialist Dr. Sheldon Black from St. Vincent’s Hospital. Dr. Black examines Gary, and the first words from his mouth are, “Is this your first cancer?”
It’s July 20, 2018, and Gary is undergoing CAT scans and a biopsy. He is given the news: Throat cancer. Or is it cancer of the tonsils? There are cancerous lymph nodes, too … sixteen of them. Gary never smoked, never chewed — the news feels like a blindside sack. Gary Hollingsworth wants the best of the best to treat him, so he picks MD Anderson in Houston. But before Gary leaves for Houston, his mind harkens back.
It’s Oct. 21, 1989, and the Legion Field fans are on their feet. It’s a top 10 match-up as No. 10 Bama hosts No. 6 Tennessee. Gary Hollingsworth goes to work and hands the ball to his workhorse. Siran Stacy runs for 283 yards as Bama beats the Vols 47-30.
It’s Aug. 16, 2018, and Gary Hollingsworth has begun his six-week stay at MD Anderson. A doctor, an ENT, a dentist, a speech pathologist and a dietitian surround him. All of this just for him? This is MD Anderson in Houston.
It’s Oct. 18, 2018, and Gary Hollingsworth gets to ring the bell. Yes, his last chemotherapy treatment has been completed. What an accomplishment: 33 rounds of radiation, six cycles of chemo and six-and-half weeks away from home. He’s ready to return to Alabama, but first? His mind harkens back.
It’s Oct. 20, 1990, and this one can go either way. Thank heavens for the big foot from Birmingham. Phillip Doyle’s field goal is good, and Alabama wins at Tennessee, 9-6.
It’s Jan. 2, 2019, and Gary Hollingsworth is receiving some advice — advice from his good friend Randy Lott: “Be strong, you’ve got this!”. Advice from Dr. Larry Lemak, who was diagnosed with the same type of cancer: “Welcome to the club.” Advice from his doctors in Houston: “Stay off the internet.”
It’s Aug 5, 2020, and Gary Hollingsworth tells me that he has a month remaining. One month to reach the month of September, the month that will officially mark two years since he received an “all clear” from his doctors. You see, after two years, the chances of Gary having a recurrence go down considerably. He’s so close.