Cancer diagnosis puts life into perspective for fire evacuee

FORT COLLINS, Colo. — More than a week ago, Dennis Newlin thought he had hit rock bottom when he was forced out of his home by the high park fire. 

“Throw the clothes and guitars in here, and, we’re outta here,” he says of evacuation day.

He had no idea rock bottom was still one blow away. 

“They did a scope on me and told me that I have cancer.”

That news was delivered to the 54-year-old Newlin late last week after he went to the doctor because he wasn’t feeling ill. 

Newlin’s surgery is set for Friday, but the Rist Canyon Road resident is self-employed and does not have insurance.

He says the potential loss of his home, and now, devastating news about his health put things in perspective. 

“If I’m not alive, it’s irrelevant.”