MILTON — On July 14, Paul Wallis, a 53-year-old powerlifter, set state and national records for his weight and age while recovering from bone cancer. Physical conditioning and medical specialists helped, but Wallis gives all the credit to God.
These are the records Wallis set at the United States Powerlifting Association competition July 14, at Pensacola Fitness:
- 501 pounds – Florida record for the squat
- 572 pounds – Florida and national record for the deadlift
- 308 pounds – Florida record for the bench press
In 2016, Wallis started training for a competition when he noticed movement on his lower right side ribs. His doctor ordered an MRI on Feb. 8. The next day he was told that he had multiple myeloma.
"I had cancer in my plasma cells that created small tumors in my bone marrow," Wallis said.
He said the cancer was like termites in his body. The cancer destroys the bone marrow making the bones weak and brittle.
Wallis was referred to Dr. Yazan Alsayed at Scared Heart Medical Oncology Group. Dr. Alsayed told him he would treat him, but only if he could travel to the University of Arkansas Medical Science – The Myeloma Institute in Little Rock Arkansas.
The institute had access to the top specialist in this type of cancer and had the most cutting-edge treatments available, according to Wallis.
"I walked in, in extremely good physical condition, but they did their best to kill me," Wallis joked.
He received a bone density test and biopsy immediately. He had been lifting heavy weight for 28 years and his bone density rivaled a 20-year-old, he said. His first biopsy results showed he had 60 percent cancer.
Doctors also found that his C-7 cervical vertebra was significantly affected and they feared it would collapse his spine. Immediate surgery was completed and corrected the issue.
That began a 10-month treatment plan. Wallis said it started with two rounds of heavy chemotherapy followed by two stem-cell transplants then another two rounds of chemo. He had a picc-line placed in his arm to deliver the chemo medication that took four days to deliver. Other recommendations from doctors were to eat a healthy diet and stay well-hydrated.
"These are things I have done all my life," he said.
It was during this time when medical professionals told Wallis he would not be able to continue lifting.
"We'll see," Wallis said to his doctors. "I can take what you say and I can hear what you say, but until God tells me, it's not over."
He changed his approach to working out by limiting himself to lifting only 25 pounds.
Wallis was released from treatment in December 2016. At the end of his final round of chemo in Arkansas he was in clinical remission. Since then his biopsy results show no cancer, but he will continue a three-year maintenance therapy. Every Monday Wallis receives a low-dose chemo infusion and oral chemo medication every three of four weeks.
The following February, Wallis said he did a lot of soul searching and researching. He got back to the gym once a week and lifted five pounds more than the week before. The weight-bearing and resistance training was helping his bone density get stronger, he said.
Wallis did not consider competing again until one night at a Bible study class with his wife. He received a text from a friend telling him he wasn't done competing and setting records. Wallis dismissed it. His friend said he felt led to send the message.
"At the same time, the class was referencing Romans 12:1," Wallis said.
The verse tells the reader to offer one's body as a "living sacrifice." He interpreted the reading as a sign, as him giving his body over to God and using it as a way to worship him.
"I told God, 'OK, I'll do it,'" he said.
Wallis said he had been saved at such a young age that he can't remember, but that conversation with God changed his entire outlook on his sport. Wallis said he used to compete for records but now he was doing it to worship God.
When Wallis competed on July 14, he said he checked his motivation at the door.
"The records were anti-climactic for me. The main thing for me was to be there to lift and to be worshiping," Wallis said.
Wallis had many teams that supported him. His wife Anna of 31 years and his daughter Grace are at the top of that list. He said thousands of people prayed for him through his church contacts. He also wanted to thank his training partners at The Bar Strength and Fitness gym and all the medical professionals.
"The medical teams did a really good job of killing what was there, but it was God that healed," Wallis said.
See videos of Paul Wallis setting his records at www.srpressgazette.com.
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Never give up, never stop fighting