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The NASCAR legend soon found comfort in familiar faces on each clinic visit and radiation treatment. Patients who were NASCAR fans and their loved ones recognized Hamilton and would stop by to tip their hats and say hello, offer advice and encouragement. Barbara Murphy, M.D., Hamilton's medical oncologist, said he quickly became a role model for other patients. "Bobby has been an inspiration and support for other patients. He has allowed himself to become a part of the treatment 'family' in the clinic. He is open and approachable and always willing to say 'hi' to anyone who wants a moment of his time. He's very unselfish that way," she said. Anthony Cmelak, M.D., the radiation oncologist caring for Hamilton, agreed. "Bobby's impact has been tremendous. To non-medical people, cancer treatment has historically been a black box. Bobby's candid feelings, hopes and experiences have, I believe, shed more light and ameliorated more people's fears than anyone else I can think of in recent memory."
Doctors and nurses grew to know Hamilton and his fiancée at the time, Lori Shuler, and the couple became experts in a new arena. Taking notes, asking questions, and learning as they went along. "It's very time consuming," said Hamilton. "Taking care of yourself leading up to what the doctors do. Daily, something changes and it's a son of a bitch to keep up with," he said. Shuler said she comes with Hamilton to each appointment to be a second set of eyes and ears. "The main thing I do is just take notes. There is a lot of research on a lot of things you don't understand. You just have to find a routine," she said. Hamilton said the couple never stops learning. "I have about seven things down on my list of problems. We just try to conquer three a day," he said.
Hamilton is now finished with radiation, but he recently had a second surgery to look for areas of suspicion left behind after treatment. The surgery revealed some cancer still lingering in his body, so Hamilton will undergo another round of chemotherapy. His doctors say he won't be out of the woods for some time. "There is no guarantee for anyone that a treatment will work 100 percent of the time, and he had extensive disease. We will just have to hope and pray for the best," said Murphy.
In the meantime, Hamilton is getting stronger every day. "It doesn't just stop in one night and go away. Wouldn't that be nice?" asked Hamilton. "The truth is, once you have been diagnosed with cancer you always battle it in some form or fashion. Yes, your body heals, and life as you know it goes on, but cancer is always there."
Hamilton is eager to race again, and his doctors hope in time he'll get back behind the wheel. "I hope he can drive," said Murphy. "I know that it means a lot to him." Cmelak said everyone is hoping and pushing for Hamilton to see the checkered flag on a racetrack again, signaling the end
of his cancer journey. "Given his incredible determination to date, I think it may be
possible for him to race again. At this time, however, I think his big wish is to live, even if he never races again," said Cmelak.
Whatever the road ahead reveals, cancer will never be far from Hamilton's mind, and becoming an advocate for other cancer patients has become a new passion for the future. "I will never be the same person I was before I found out I had cancer. I am now a better
person for what I have endured, just as all the millions of people in our country who feel the same way after battling cancer. It has literally changed my life," explained Hamilton. "I just want to take my battle and use what little bit of celebrity status that I have left and try to promote the awareness for this disease. Cancer changes us all. I have just learned that when you get a second chance, life becomes a different picture the next time around."
Update: Bobby Hamilton and his fiancee, Lori Shuler, were married on Sept. 29 in the resort town of Gatlinburg in Shuler's native East Tennessee. 
- By Heather L. Hall
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