U.S. Army Col. Dirk Spanton's back hurt and he felt tired, but then he was wearing a 40-pound flak vest and getting half the amount of sleep, 4 hours a night, most normally get to feel rested and ready to go the next morning. He felt healthy, bench-pressing 205 pounds in repetitions of 10 several times a week, and did not anticipate anything was seriously wrong, other than the physical wear and tear from the rigors of war.

Within days of returning home after three tours and 32 months in Iraq, Spanton fell ill and was taken to the hospital. It was then the back pain and fatigue were explained. He had cancer of the liver bile ducts, and the physicians suspect he had cancer for awhile. Initially, they told him he had two months to live.

Spanton says he feels lucky. "I could have gotten killed while I was over there and not gotten to say goodbye to my family. This way, I'm lucky. How many people get to say goodbye to their kids, their wife and their family? You don't like the short time frame, but it's at least a time frame."

He is currently undergoing chemotherapy. Although it is reported he is gaunt and has lost 40 pounds from the cancer treatments, they feel he might have a few extra months to live if the chemo can shrink the tumor.