Former Saskatchewan Roughriders receiver Don Narcisse is doing fine after being diagnosed with Stage 1 prostate cancer.

How far has Don Narcisse progressed since being diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2018?

“I don’t even think about it and that’s how I describe it now,” the former Saskatchewan Roughriders receiver said from his home in Manvel, Tex.

“Going through the whole process was the hardest part of anything. It doesn’t matter what stage you have, it’s just the process of going to the hospital every day for 39 days. Other than that, I’m good for right now.”

“I’ve been to the doctor maybe once or twice since and it was gone,” said Narcisse, who played for the Roughriders from 1987 to 1999. “Mine was really small, anyway, so it wasn’t large or anything like that. You’ve got some guys and their prostate was kind of large. Then they have to make a decision if they want to have their prostate taken out.”

Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.

Narcisse was made aware of issues with his prostate after undergoing a blood test during a routine check-up. He was told that the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level in his blood was a little high, so his doctor scheduled a follow-up blood test when he was in Houston for Christmas.

The follow-up indicated Narcisse’s PSA level had increased. After undergoing a biopsy, he was diagnosed with Stage 1 prostate cancer.

“They caught it early, which was a good thing,” he said.

“Posting that on Facebook was the best thing,” said Narcisse, 55. “I had so many people hitting me up on Facebook that had it and they told me everything about it. Then I was able to help a lot of other people. They wanted to know how you found out and stuff like that, but I told them they have to get that blood test.”

His battle with cancer and other life challenges are to be featured in a book, aptly titled The Don Narcisse Story.

The book was written at the suggestion of Narcisse’s agent, Joe Gunnis, who runs EMJ Marketing and in that capacity handles speaking engagements for athletes and other celebrities across Western Canada. Narcisse is working on the book with Regina freelance writers Tony Playter and Paul Spasoff.

“It’s just my life story,” said Narcisse, who is from Port Arthur, Texas. “Tony stayed out here for a week and stuff. He talked to all my friends and family and even went back to my hometown.”

Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.

Narcisse’s story is about overcoming challenges. He overcame asthma and a heart murmur as a youngster and, despite being an undersized receiver, landed a scholarship at Texas Southern University.

He eventually found his way to Regina, where he surpassed 1,000 receiving yards in eight of his 13 seasons with the Green and White. He also caught a pass in each of his 216 CFL regular-season games.

He was also heavily involved in the Regina community through KidSport Catch for Kids and later the Don Narcisse All-Star Event, a series of youth football camps.

Initial plans for the book were for pre-sales in September, followed by the official launch at the 2020 Grey Cup game in Regina. The COVID-19 pandemic may delay the book launch.

“It’s going to be pretty good, but it’s just the timing is bad now,” Narcisse said. “Because I had cancer, they say that my immune system might be a little weak so I can’t be travelling.”

For now, Texas remains home to Narcisse, his wife Cassandra, their three children and two grandchildren. While practising self-isolation, he works out of his home as a mortgage broker for Wells Fargo.

“It’s good and you deal with whatever you’re working with,” Narcisse said. “I go on my computer and I just keep my butt at home.”