Come aboard the hot mess express that is Luke’s life
I don’t care if you are laughing with me or at me, just as long as you are laughing
How It Went
Born a month early in 1986 with the umbilical cord wrapped around my neck, they said I wouldn’t be “normal size” due to my size, and many were worried I wouldn’t have an imagination.
I guess I proved them wrong on both accounts . . . . probably too much imagination lol
With dreams of becoming an actor, I moved to So Cal in 2009 and shared a 2 bedroom apartment with 5 other guys. Realizing the hoops you have to jump through for Hollywood, I decided to forge my own path via YouTube.
Being a theatre major, performing, and talking in front of people is more than natural to me, so I just needed a platform to “be me”.
I suckered my college girlfriend to marry me, and we lived in California for 5 years. We made so many great relationships and learned so many valuable life lessons, that it felt like a part of us died when we moved back to Pennsylvania in 2014.
A part of us didn’t actually die, it just was growing into something we didn’t expect. What bloomed and what caused it to bloom, is nothing more than a gift from God.
What Happened Was
Having 2 children, a house, and a steady job of 12+ years, I was caught in the storms of life and lost my energy to create and make life fun!
In 2019, I was diagnosed with esophageal cancer where I went through heavy rounds of chemo, an 8+ hour surgery to remove my esophagus and place my stomach in my chest, and then more rounds of chemo and even more torturous radiation.
Death was knocking at the door, shaking the handle, and whistling along the way. It was crazy, and terrifying, and horrible.
But was 50 Cent said “Joy wouldn’t feel so good if it wasn’t for pain”
By God’s grace, I survived. Not only that, but after a life of looking for a passion, I finally found that my passion is being a dad!
Because of my surgery, I cannot work a standard 8-5 anymore because I am continually nauseous, experience dumping syndrome which incapacitates me for 4-5 hours, and have to deal with severe acid since I no longer have a sphincter or esophagus to stop it from coming up.
So I took the dive, and went full-time into starting my own photo and video company in 2020.
To Infinity and Beyond
Surviving cancer feels like I’ve been granted bonus time in the game of life. I thought the clock had run out on me, but God had other plans.
So here I am . . . . figuring out how to run a business (the creative part, I’ve got down pretty well, but the business side is “yiiiiikes”), helping to raise 2 gentlemen in this chaotic world, and trying to make life a little more memorable than the day before.
This is my journey . . . its not just about my creativity, my walk, or even my life before and after cancer. Its compromised of all the bright colors and dark colors that make up my life, and I’m excited to share it in hopes that it helps those going through what I went through, motivate those who need that extra hype, and to hopefully learn from my mistakes, because there will definitely be some!
xoxo,
Gossip Girl