From Darkness to Possibilities: Unveiling the Life-Altering Journey of a Resilient Frenchman

Cyril Del Pistoia, a Frenchman who had relocated to the US, found himself sitting on the edge of his hospital bed, facing the daunting challenge of regaining the use of his legs after undergoing intensive treatments for leukemia, including a bone marrow transplant. The prospect of ever participating in an IRONMAN event seemed like an unrealistic aspiration.

Despite the challenges he faced during his recovery, 35-year-old Del Pistoia achieved a long-awaited milestone by participating in this year's IRONMAN World Championship event in Nice, France, his hometown. The competition involved a grueling 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike race, and a marathon-distance run. Ten years after his transplant, Del Pistoia's accomplishment seemed unimaginable during his darkest moments of healing.

"It was always a dream, it has always been in the back of my head," he told CNN Sport.

Eryn Mathewson

Courtesy of Eryn Mathewson

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"But during my time in the hospital, honestly, all I could think about was simply surviving. My sole ambition was to regain my ability to walk, even if it meant taking baby steps. The smallest details absorbed all my attention and determination."

The pain of consuming food was unbearable. My only aim at that time was to simply survive.

Del Pistoia developed a passion for sports at a young age, starting with rugby in France before transitioning to cycling and eventually embracing triathlons.

He became enamored with the strategic aspects of triathlons, mastering the art of effectively managing his energy levels during the swim, cycle, and run segments.

Although he did not turn into a professional athlete, he persisted in his passion for the sport, skillfully juggling it with his academic and professional endeavors.

But, in 2012, everything changed.

Del Pistoia had been travelling a lot between France and the US for work and began feeling more fatigued than usual.

He sought medical attention after feeling intense discomfort in his upper chest. Upon receiving the outcome, the doctor's expression spoke volumes and she urged him to immediately proceed to the hospital.

He underwent additional tests to validate the initial doubts and eventually received the news that he was diagnosed with leukemia.

"It was an incredibly challenging experience," he reminisced. "Oddly enough, I had always sensed that I would face a demanding medical situation, so I mentally prepared myself for this moment."

"Youre just there processing the information."

The Frenchman completed the race 10 years after his bone marrow transplant.

Donald Miralle for IRONMAN

He was admitted to the intensive care unit the following day, commencing his chemotherapy treatment. While the initial response was positive, his progress eventually reached a plateau after spending a month and a half in the hospital.

Subsequently, he chose to pursue a novel experimental treatment that held promise. Remarkably, this approach proved successful, leading to the eradication of detectable cancer cells in his bloodstream.

However, to decrease the likelihood of the cancer returning, Del Pistoia underwent a bone marrow transplant.

Learning to walk again

Finding a compatible donor proved to be a challenging endeavor, and once identified, the Frenchman underwent radiotherapy to successfully receive the new stem cells. Recalling that period, he recollects very few memories, likening it to a surreal existence where his physical presence remained within the hospital walls, while his thoughts drifted elsewhere.

"I don't remember what happened," he stated, proceeding to describe how the treatment had successfully scorched his entire body. This ordeal left the avid sports enthusiast grappling with a range of enduring problems, such as compromised lungs and an unusually low tolerance for heat - not the most desirable conditions for someone eager to return to the world of triathlon, he quipped.

But, after undergoing weeks of treatment, his body began to show signs of improvement. This allowed Del Pistoia to shift his focus towards recovering from the exhausting experience that had left him so debilitated that even sitting up in bed posed a challenge.

From left, Shayna Unger and Scott Lehmann pose for pictures.

Courtesy Shayna Unger and Scott Lehmann

Deaf climbers achieve a historic milestone on Mount Everest, recalling the excruciating experience of consuming minimal food and water and the overwhelming sensation of finally taking a shower after nearly two months.

I recall being seated on the bed, my feet dangling, whilst fervently attempting to lift my legs upwards, even if only by a few centimeters at a time, gradually attempting to regain mastery over them.

Eventually, a breakthrough occurred, and I managed to rise to my feet. Subsequently, following this accomplishment, I was able to commence walking once again.

Del Pistoia gradually regained his strength and slowly reconstructed his life after his recovery.

A year later, he resumed his offshore work and focused on regaining his physical fitness. During the early stages of his illness, he had requested an exercise bike for his hospital room. Now, he was able to freely explore his surroundings on a bicycle.

Del Pistoia revealed that training had been a significant part of his life prior to falling ill. However, following his recovery, he remarked that sport acquired a somewhat different significance. Rather than overly fixating on personal records and physical progress, he savored every moment of his "second lease on life."

Return to sport

He participated in the biathlon event at the World Transplant Winter Games in Canada in 2020 and made a comeback on the global platform in April by competing in the triathlon event at the World Transplant Summer Games in Australia. Remarkably, he secured the top position in his respective age category.

The Games, held biennially with alternating summer and winter sports, are primarily for individuals who have undergone a solid organ transplant (such as liver, heart, lung, kidney, pancreas) or a bone marrow transplant.

"It's incredible to compete alongside individuals who have faced similar challenges in life. Each of them has their own unique story," he remarked.

"People perceive me as incredibly fit due to my ability to run and cycle at impressive speeds, including my capacity to participate in an Ironman competition. However, it is important to mention that despite these accomplishments, I am aware of my own limitations. That being said, it is invaluable to have individuals around me who genuinely comprehend and acknowledge my constraints."

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This year, Del Pistoia had a full-circle moment when he received an invitation to Nice as a special participant in the prestigious IRONMAN World Championship race held in September. While he was aware that he couldn't match the skills of the world's top athletes, Del Pistoia simply expressed gratitude for being granted the chance to take part.

It being hosted in his hometown made the experience all the more symbolic, he said.

"My performance was very, very secondary there. I just wanted to enjoy every aspect of it," he added.

"I always strive to ensure that my story reaches others, as it brings me immense joy. Ultimately, what motivates me the most is being able to inspire people.

Knowing that individuals currently facing difficulties in hospitals may come across a story like mine, and finding solace and strength to face another day, that's when I can truly consider my day a victory."

To let them realize that there is more beyond the mere hope or possibility of success, one can still accomplish remarkable feats in their lifetime.

During the event, Del Pistoia expressed satisfaction with his swimming and cycling performance, although he mentioned feeling overheated during the run.

It meant he had to take the final leg of the race slower than he wanted, but crossing the finish line was no less emotional and he couldnt hold back the tears.

Exciting future

Having completed an IRONMAN World Championship race, Del Pistoia is now seeking new challenges. He remains open to the possibility of qualifying for a future Ironman 70.3 World Championship race (also known as a half IRONMAN) and has plans to participate in long-distance running races.

Del Pistoia, apart from his involvement in sports, has recently obtained his seaplane pilot's license with the intention of using his influence to bring attention to and enhance accessibility for individuals with disabilities. He expressed his desire to share his personal journey in order to inspire and assist others, affirming that this is where he believes his purpose lies in the world.

"If I can help people while theyre struggling, that truly makes me happy, more than any [sporting] performance."