Olympic figure skater Scott Hamilton has been diagnosed with a brain tumour for the third time, following earlier tumours diagnosed in 2004 and 2010.
It was during a routine physical that Hamilton, 58, was recently diagnosed with a benign pituitary tumour, he tells People.
“I have a unique hobby of collecting life-threatening illness,” Hamilton jokes. “It’s six years later, and it decided that it wanted an encore.”
Hamilton says he’s currently weighing the various options for treatment, and urges anyone in a similar situation to do the same. “I’ll tell anybody that will listen: If you’re ever facing anything, get as many opinions as you possibly can,” he says. “The more you truly understand what you’re up against, the better decision you’re going to make.”
In facing his third brain tumour diagnosis, Hamilton says he draws strength from his faith. “I’ve been blessed beyond my wildest imagination; I would never even think to dream the stuff that I’ve been able to do,” he says. “Last round, in 2010, I told [wife] Tracie, ‘God doesn’t owe me a day. I’m good. Whatever’s next is next.’ The blessings keep coming because we allow them and we ask for them.”
Adds Hamilton: “I choose to truly — in everything that we do — celebrate life.”
