John B. Dickson — Survival and Recovery from Bone Cancer

In 1962, prior to his departure for a mission in Mexico, John B. Dickson was diagnosed with bone cancer in his right arm. Medical professionals gave him a prognosis of less than one month to live. Despite the severity of the diagnosis, he survived and, ten months later, proceeded to serve his mission after undergoing an amputation of the affected arm. He later became a General Authority Seventy, using his experience to teach others about overcoming adversity.

Fuller account of this event (in the witness’s own words):

It was 1962, and I was 19. I had been called to serve a mission in Mexico when I learned I had cancer. Cancer? Me? I thought only people in big cities got cancer. After biopsies and close examinations by competent specialists, I learned the problem I was having with the swelling in my right forearm was an osteogenic sarcoma. Translated, it meant I had a type of bone cancer which, in those days, was nearly always fatal, even with the amputation of the affected limb. Fatal! As I look back, I can honestly say the loss of my arm, rather than being a tragic experience, has been one of my greatest blessings. I have learned and gained so much from it.