Why Olympic Legend Scott Hamilton, Dad of 4, Chose Not to Treat His Brain Tumor

• Scott Hamilton transcends his identity as an Olympic gold medalist and a figure skating legend.
• He embodies resilience as a cancer survivor, generosity as a philanthropist, devotion as a father of four, and conviction as a man of faith.
• Recently, he surprised his fans and admirers with his decision to forego surgery for his brain tumor, which made its third recurrence.

Scott Hamilton is a figure skating legend who embodies resilience and determination. Born on August 28, 1958, in Toledo, Ohio, Scott overcame an illness in his childhood that stunted his growth, but that didn't deter him from pursuing his passion for skating.

Scott's career took off when he represented the United States in the Winter Olympics. He first participated in 1980, placing fifth, but his moment of glory came in 1984 when he won the gold medal. From 1981 to 1984, Scott was the world's reigning figure skating champion, winning four consecutive U.S. championships and four consecutive World Championships.

His innovative footwork and signature move, the backflip, set him apart from his contemporaries. Following his win at the Olympics, Scott embarked on a professional career as part of Ice Capades for years. He then established his own show, "Stars on Ice." In addition to his skating career, he lent his expertise as a skating analyst on television.

Scott and his wife, Tracie, have a family of four children. In 2014, their family expanded from their two biological children, Aidan and Maxx, with the addition of Evelyne and Jean-Paul, whom they adopted from Haiti.

The spark for adoption was ignited by Aidan, who was deeply moved by a picture of Jean-Paul at the offices of Live Beyond, an organization associated with an orphanage in Thomazeau, Haiti.

During her 2012 visit to the orphanage, Tracie had a touching interaction with Jean-Paul and his younger sister Evelyne. This encounter stirred deep feelings of affection in Tracie, and she did not know what to do about the situation.

Upon her return, Aidan surprisingly proposed the idea of adopting Jean-Paul. Tracie was receptive to the idea but recognized the complications, as Jean-Paul and Evelyne had an older brother, and the Hamiltons did not want to adopt a teenager.

The situation changed when they discovered that the older brother was being adopted by a different family in Tennessee. This led the Hamiltons to decide to bring Jean Paul and Evelyne into their family.

The inclusion of the two children has filled the Hamilton household with immense happiness. Scott said, "They're beautiful, beautiful children and our hearts are twice the size they were before. We're blessed beyond our wildest dreams."

Scott's journey hasn't been a smooth ride, having lost his mother to breast cancer in 1977, battling testicular cancer in 1997, and beating a pituitary brain tumor twice. In 2016, the doctors discovered that the brain tumor had made its third comeback. This time, however, Scott decided to take a different path and chose not to seek treatment.

The Olympian acknowledges that his approach might be hard for some to understand, and true to his words, his decision was met with a mix of heartbreak and bewilderment from his supporters. Fans expressed their feelings openly, commenting, "This breaks my heart. I have never loved skating as much as when he was on the ice."

Others questioned his decision, with one fan asking, "Why not fight if you beat it the first time? [sic]" while another one echoed, "Why? You have to fight!" Some comments were filled with sympathy and admiration for Scott, stating, "Heartbreaking!!! SUCH A GOOD HUMAN!!!"

While some struggled to understand his decision, others eventually came to terms with it. One fan shared, "Hard to understand but I finally did when my Aunt broke it down for me over a few months… I get it. Don't agree but I respected her decision."

Upon his diagnosis, a proficient surgeon was introduced to discuss the potential of another surgery. Scott had already experienced the ordeal of surgery twice before, first in 2004 and then in 2010. The second instance had been particularly grueling, leading to nine subsequent surgeries due to a complication.

Scott was resolute in his decision to avoid a similar situation. He expressed his intent to "go home and get strong," a sentiment that was more of a spiritual response than a concrete plan. Two subsequent scans showed that the tumor had shrunk significantly. However, not all news was positive.

On a later visit, he found that the tumor had grown. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic further complicated matters, making hospital visits nearly impossible. Despite this, Scott felt a sense of peace with his decision to forego monitoring the tumor unless symptoms appeared.

Scott revealed the reason for his decision to forego surgery. He shared his hopeful outlook toward his recurring brain tumor, saying he now has a promising option in the form of targeted radiation therapy that could shrink the tumor. This treatment could help him avoid more invasive procedures like surgery and chemotherapy.

Even with the uncertainty, Scott, a dedicated Christian, is focused on staying present, gathering all the necessary information, and making the right decision when the time comes.

This year, as Scott celebrates his 65th birthday and the 40th anniversary of his gold medal victory at the 1984 Sarajevo Olympics, he reflects on his life's journey, acknowledging that his accomplishments have surpassed all his expectations.

Today, Scott is not just recognized for his contributions to figure skating, but also for his philanthropic efforts. He expressed his gratitude, stating, "I'm blessed beyond my wildest imagination."

He takes immense pride in the Scott Hamilton CARES foundation, which has contributed to pioneering cancer research and saved innumerable lives. He also appreciates the continued popularity of the "Stars on Ice" tour, which he initiated in 1986.

As a father to four children, Scott is amazed at the unexpected paths his life has taken. He confessed, "I never would've thought to dream of any [of] the things that have happened to me."

He never envisioned that his Olympic gold medal experience would allow him to contribute significantly to his sport and help establish a platform that has propelled the careers of many of the sport's greatest skaters. Scott has also founded the Scott Hamilton Skating Academy, a dedicated institution for teaching the art of skating.

Reflecting on his personal life, Scott shared, "And to have my children and just how amazing they are, and my wife and how amazing she is? I never would've thought to dream any of it."

Hamilton is not the only celebrity who has battled cancer and won. Some other famous people have overcome the disease. Tom Brokaw, a respected journalist, battled multiple myeloma, a blood cancer, diagnosed in 2013. After undergoing extensive treatment, including a stem cell transplant, he announced his remission in 2018.

Renowned singer-songwriter Sheryl Crow was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2006. After undergoing a lumpectomy and radiation therapy, she declared she was cancer-free and has been an advocate for early detection and awareness.

Hugh Jackman, the acclaimed actor, has had multiple encounters with skin cancer, specifically basal cell carcinoma. He has undergone several surgeries and encourages fans to prioritize sun protection and regular check-ups.

Ben Stiller, the comedian and actor, revealed in 2016 that he had been diagnosed with prostate cancer two years prior. Post-surgery, he has remained cancer-free.

Fran Drescher, the star of "The Nanny," was diagnosed with uterine cancer in 2000 after two years of misdiagnosis. Post-hysterectomy, she has been cancer-free.

Despite his health struggles, Scott Hamilton remains appreciative of his blessing and maintains a positive outlook on life. His words reveal a man deeply grateful for his family and the unexpected blessings in his life.