Inspirational Stories

While enjoying a 2021 spring vacation with my husband in Kentucky, I began to feel severe pain in my right arm. Over several hours, the pain increased, but I didn’t want to interrupt our vacation plans with a hospital visit. By late evening, my husband could tell that we must get to an emergency room PRONTO! But where in this large city can we find one? We finally stopped at a Home Depot store and asked for directions. After searching on darkened streets in a strange city, we found the emergency entrance to a hospital. 

Yeah! 

The pain was diagnosed as pleurisy in my right arm. 

Strange! 

The nurse gave me an antibiotic injection, and the pain subsided a couple of hours later. Great, so far! But then the real drama began . . . 

Shortly after the first blood sample was drawn, the nurse returned for a second draw. She didn’t explain why, but it was obvious from her anxious body language that something was disturbing to her. Within a few minutes, the E.R. doctor appeared and made it abundantly clear that we were at the end of our vacation. 

“You need to turn your car around and return home ASAP! Your white blood cell count is dangerously elevated and needs immediate attention.” 

Our minds suddenly became overwhelmed by worry and feelings of desperation. The reason we had come into the hospital faded quickly into the background and was now replaced by news of a potentially life-threatening disease – CANCER! Believe it or not, my immediate response was a calm acceptance of the diagnosis. Driving home for 2 ½ days, my husband’s thoughts were fearful, troubled, and filled with “what-ifs?”
 
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) was confirmed at my local doctor’s appointment, and we were advised to see an oncologist. 

Whoa! 

Calm down now and get more information before you make any conclusions. The specialist assured us that CLL, though incurable, was not terminal.

Great news! Relax . . .

This fact was the first step toward restoring confidence in the future. Then, the oncologist told us about a new Calquence® drug that was producing amazing results. Fabulous! This was a positive second step. But when we heard about the cost, we went two steps backward into panic mode complete with headaches. We would have to sell just about everything we owned to afford such a drug. Lord, hear our prayers. Save us from disaster . . . and He did! Two weeks later, my oncologist nurse called to inform us that a grant had been found to cover the total expense, at least for a while. 

Hallelujah! 

Since taking two pills a day for the past 11 months, my white blood cell count has dropped precipitously from 282,000 to 39,000! What an incredibly quick response! My blood still has a ways to go to get down to normal (between 4,000 and 11,000), but I feel fine. My hemoglobin and platelet count were initially out of sight, but they are currently within the normal range! 

Unbelievable! 

At the age of 74, I still work part-time, around 29 hours per week, and it keeps my mind alert and my body active. I feel so fortunate to live in the golden age of cancer treatment. Mortality rates continue to decline by 1.6% for men and 1.3% for women annually, outpacing the rate of new cancer cases every year. I’m so enthusiastic about new advancements in treatments. I’m hopeful for a long life as I have found the right medical team to support me. When my husband and I moved to this small resort community nearly seven years ago, we had no idea that the area had such highly qualified medical clinics and hospitals. I am now being treated and seen by my second oncologist, and she’s even more detailed than the first one. I feel comfortable talking to her. She listens intently, and we work well to schedule appointments that fit our busy schedules. She is compassionate, has excellent bedside manners, and is dedicated to teaching me about CLL. 

I try taking charge of my health by responding to my body’s symptoms, staying positive and active, eating well, managing stress, and getting adequate sleep. I have had many basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas removed, as well as one Mohs surgery. I have frequent follow-up appointments with my dermatologist. When someone is diagnosed with cancer, their world stops! I was in disbelief when I was first diagnosed. I thought, “They must have me mixed up with another patient.” Cancer patients fill their calendars with appointments, scans, new ground-breaking treatments, and medications. It’s hard to imagine a quality life in the future when you have cancer. 

I thank all the researchers who have taken years to develop my treatment. I’m so thankful that it is not chemo but is a biological therapy. The daily medication has really been a gift and blessing to me as it has lengthened my life here on earth. I’m just another person with CLL trying to walk this journey, but I’m not alone. I have the support of my faithful husband, sisters, friends, coworkers, and Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ. I know I can lean/depend on them when I get down for their comfort and unconditional love.