LAKELAND, Fla. — A Lakeland firefighter is back at work after beating cancer. Clayton Geiger spent more than a year receiving treatment.

It all started with chronic sinus pain. Geiger knew he needed to consult a doctor.

“He called me in and — I’ll never forget that moment — he sat down and we were talking a little bit. That’s when he told me I was diagnosed with Extranodal T-cell Lymphoma, very aggressive.”

This form of cancer is considered rare. Geiger started treatment immediately.

“The original scan showed the cancer in my sinus passage. I was treated for cancer in the face and neck area. It was very painful. I started doing radiation and chemo together," he explained. "When I tried to swallow, it felt like glass. Until you know someone going through it, you just don’t know how tough it is.” 

But now, Geiger does know what it's like for people going through it, and he says it will make him an even better first responder.

He credited Florida Senate Bill 426, passed in 2019, with helping him beat the disease. That bill helps protect firefighters battling cancer.

“That cancer bill for firefighters, Senate Bill 426, that allowed me to just focus on the treatment. When I was diagnosed with cancer, I was able to leave and get treatment I needed and focus on beating cancer.” 

After 16 months away, Geiger returned to work with a new lease on life.

“I truly love helping people." he said. "Not every call we receive we get to help somebody, but when you do and you have the ability, skill and equipment to help them, it’s a phenomenal feeling. It's great.”

He's not in complete remission yet, but he's already looking ahead to see what he can do to help someone else.