BOISE, Id – A movie that airs tonight in the Treasure Valley chronicles the story of a Florida college professor diagnosed with lymphoma. John Kaplan was diagnosed with two forms of cancer in 2008. He began the long journey into cancer treatment carrying a camera, which he used to document his experience.
John Kaplan “I really began taking pictures of myself purely as a way to cope with my fear, I was not emotionally prepared and I realized very early on that if I would be able to go into remission, and of course I hoped and prayed that I would, that the work that I was doing could truly help other families going through a cancer diagnosis as well.”
Kaplan’s movie is called “Not As I Pictured.” It reveals his journey from going through surgery to the cancer treatments. During those treatment, friends and family became his support network. He says that’s critical for any cancer patient.
John Kaplan “After I went into remission, I had two years of maintenance chemotherapy and I’m probably 80 percent back to my energy level before my diagnosis and I’m not complaining at all. Life is good and as I say in the movie, every day is a blessing, every day is a gift.”
According to the Comprehensive Cancer Alliance for Idaho, 95 people in Idaho died of Lymphoma in 2008. But Kaplan says many cancers today are not only treatable, they’re beatable. His message to other cancer patients is to not lose hope. His story “Not As I Pictured,” airs tonight at 9 on Idaho Public Television’s “Plus” channel.
Kaplan has free copies of his film “Not As I Pictured.” Find out more here or on Facebook.
Copyright 2011 BSPR
