Milton’s Robert Ames celebrates five years cancer-free

For Robert Ames, cancer is not something to fear.

“It doesn’t bother me,” he said. “I played the hand I was dealt.”

Ames, general manager of American Cedar and Millwork in Lewes, has five dormant cancer spots on his liver, down, he says, from the seven he had when he was first diagnosed. While a cancer diagnosis is often shocking for patients, Ames said he was not totally surprised.

“I knew I had it. I had a beer and my eyes turned blood red,” he said.

Soft-spoken and matter-of-fact, Ames said he went to his doctor, who found the spots on his liver and was surprised by his knowledge about what he had and by his tranquil nature at learning the news. He said he keeps a positive attitude thanks to the support of his wife of 10 years, Sonja, and his sister, Carolyn, who lives in New Jersey. Ames said another plus was continuing to work at American Cedar and Millwork, a job he very much enjoys because of the family-like atmosphere among his co-workers.

“You got to love what you’re doing. I love when I’m here, and I love when I’m at home. That makes it a lot easier,” Ames said.

His optimism is also fueled by the longevity of his parents; his father died at age 90 and his mother is still alive at age 95. As the youngest of their 12 kids, Ames said his dad told him before he passed to always take care of his mother.

Born in Rehoboth Beach, Ames lives in Milton and continues to treat his cancer with two pills a day and treatments every quarter. Ames is now in his fifth year cancer-free, and his family and friends honored him and 100 other five-year survivors May 18 at Cancer Treatment Center of America in Philadelphia.

“They’ve been awesome,” he said of the center. “I can’t wait to be back for 10, 15.”