Al Silva’s Story
I was born Alfred L. Silva Jr. to the parents of Alfred L. Silva Sr. and Joan I Silva (Maiden name Burroughs), on December 8th, 1951 in the Mountain View Hospital in San Luis Obispo. I was born in the 7th month pre-mature weighing 4lbs 3oz. In those days a pre-mature baby didn’t have a much of a chance to live. So you can see I had to be a fighter since birth. I was raised in a two bedroom home in Morro Bay CA. Soon came along two brothers Mike and Jimbo, then my sister Karen. I went to Morro Bay Elementary and later to Morro Bay Junior/Senior High School. In high school I played Freshman and Junior Varsity basketball and baseball. In my senior year I chose to concentrate solely on Baseball, since it was my favorite sport. When I graduated in 1970 and was named County Player of the year, MVP in the Morro Bay Tourney and All Tourney in the Atascadero Tourney. I actually have records at Morro Bay High School that are still not broken! I am very proud to be an alumni for the “Morro Bay Fighting Pirates”.
I was married to Sheril in 1974 at the Catholic Church in Morro Bay. We have been married now for over 34 years. We have four children Troy, married to Denay (Janzen) with twin grandchildren Trae & Ava. Matt, married to Erin (Kerr) with three grandkids Kaitlyn, Elijah, Colin and one on the way! Our youngest son Travis, and then our daughter Krissy, married to Roy Arnold. I am very proud of all my kids. Just knowing that they are all Christians and that all of my grandkids are being raised Christian is a real blessing.
I played softball for many years. My brother Mike and I started a local “Jimbo” softball club and traveled all over in tournaments throughout the state. My brother Jim sponsored the first Jimbo’s team and that’s why the club was called Jimbo’s. I enjoyed playing with all the different guys throughout the years. I also enjoyed organizing several softball tournaments to raise money for several people and Families in our community. It warmed my heart to be able to be part of helping people in the community with their needs.
I love music so I started a Mobil DJ Business as a hobby. Shortly my business, “Al’s Rendezvous” became very successful. We played mainly at Outlaws and then moved to Hoovers Live. We did numerous Re-unions, Weddings, Birthdays, Christmas and Private parties. My wife and I enjoyed getting to know so many special people by helping them celebrate their special moments and hope to someday play again.
I have been in the flooring business for about 32 years. I am currently employed by Templeton Floor. Mike & Susie Torgerson have been very generous in supporting me through my battle
Everything was going well until March 15, 2005. I was diagnosed with prostate cancer stage IV which was already metastasized into my bones. .I was started on a hormone treatment and was doing well for about a year. Then my cancer started growing again so the doctor started me on Chemo. That worked for a few months and then they found that the cancer had invaded the vertebrae in my spin softening the bone until one fractured. The vertebra was in danger of puncturing my spinal cord. I was so close to being paralyzed. Radiation slowed it down but then I ended up having to wear a back brace 24/7. I then had major surgery at USF on my back to improve my quality of life. They replaced vertebrae T6 with a metal cage and fused my spine from T3 to L1. (I still haven’t gone thru the security at an airport yet…) I was doing great with another hormone treatment until Nov 2007. My PSA count started climbing again so I had more radiation. One day while getting up my upper arm broke in half because it was so brittle from the cancer. I proceeded with surgery to fix my arm. By the time December I was close to death. The medicines were not working. I went to Seattle for Integrative Cancer treatment. Since then I have seen a 50% improvement
Now I have Hope so that with prayer and with the Integrative treatment, along with the Conventional Cancer treatments available that I have a fighting chance to win this awful battle. I pray that with this trial I am involved it with will provide the doctors knowledge for finding a cure soon for all of us.
Now I am enjoying a lot of my time drawing and goin’ fishin’ every chance I get!
Al
