After cancer, Dickson takes relaxed approach

There was a time when Alan Dickson wouldn't permit players on the Monroe High School girls basketball team to wear inspirational wristbands.

He thought such adornments had no place on the court. But the Bearcats coach has changed his outlook and now routinely wears four himself.

That's one of the many ways that turning back cancer has changed Dickson, the 12th-year head coach at Monroe. To some observers, Dickson's return in 2005-06 was unexpected after his February 2005 diagnosis of prostate cancer.

"When I was first diagnosed, one doctor said I had two to five years to live," said Dickson, who, entering this week, had guided Monroe to a 14-4 record this season. "... I feel really good right now."

The equation to managing Dickson's cancer is equal parts coaching, change in diet, positive attitude and faith.

Dickson's wrist is now a rainbow of colors. He sports inspirational bands in yellow (Live Strong against cancer), orange (unity), green (safety) and purple (faith).

"I used to make the girls take them off in practice, and now I show up wearing them," he said.

Dickson, 62, still has his fire, but the flame doesn't burn as hot.

"I used to sulk more or boil inside," said Dickson, whose condition has improved enough to push back his next medical checkup to April, hopefully after leading the Bearcats to the state tourney for the fourth season in a row.

"Basketball is fun. I just look forward to the next day more."

Dickson hadn't been sure he would return to the stresses of coaching for the 2005-06 season, but his recovery kept going well, and he didn't want to go out beaten. The Bearcats finished seventh at last year's state tournament.

"I thought I was probably done," said Dickson, who is in his 34th year of coaching. "But I kept feeling better and better. When they told me I had two years to live, it kind of woke me up. I've always felt young.

"I still play basketball at break time. Since the diagnosis, I just value that time. Everything has that much more meaning."

This wasn't the first time Dickson had dealt with a serious health issue. At age 16, he passed out while playing for his Indiana high school with what turned out to be ulcerative colitis. Dickson spent six weeks in a hospital before doctors pinpointed the problem.

Dickson suffered a heart attack just before the 2003-04 season but was coaching the Bearcats again within two weeks. All of his health issues have made Dickson stronger and more aware. He's not sure he is cancer-free, but he thinks he's got it beat for now.

"I asked my doctor the last time I saw him, and I asked, 'What about this two to five years to live?' " Dickson said. "He said, 'I think we're more like 20 years.' And, I said, 'Can we go with 25?' I'm more comfortable with that.'

"So, I don't know if I'd call it cancer-free. But I felt like I was healed, and I wanted to show it by coming back."

At this time last year, Dickson was dealing with myriad emotions. During the district and state tournaments, he faced his cancer diagnosis, the suspension of center Kirsten Thompson for perceived dirty play and the death of his brother-in-law. Dickson considered him his best friend.

Dickson is a changed man in many ways because of that roller-coaster 2004-05 season.

"I can't jump as high or run as fast, but other than that, I feel better than I ever have," he said.

Saturday will mark the one-year anniversary of Dickson's cancer diagnosis.

"He's taught us to stay strong no matter what happens," said Sarah Morton, Monroe's highly recruited point guard, who was lost for the season Jan. 27 because of a knee injury.

"He's showed us that staying positive has helped him overcome this. ... He's always been such a great guy, and now he's even better."