Inspirational Stories

Like so many individuals diagnosed with blood cancer, I had zero thought that I might be ill, much less with a disease that could take my life.

I had signs and symptoms that something wasn’t quite right in my body, annoying things like shortness of breath, lightheadedness, and fatigue. However, nothing registered in my head until after my diagnosis.

It’s September 2005, and I am pretty much invincible, bulletproof! I could, in fact, leap tall buildings in a single bound! Yes, in my mind I was Superman!

I had a successful career in the golf course maintenance industry (1981) as the golf course superintendent at the prestigious Colonial Country Club in Fort Worth, Texas. In 1987, I left Colonial to start a golf course design, management, and consulting firm, working on golf projects all over the world.

In 2001, my journey had taken me into the financial services industry. I progressed quickly and decided to start my own independent financial services firm in 2005. By September, business was good. The week of September 5, I was working onsite with a new client. Late Friday afternoon, two key administrators took the time, out of concern for me ― in two separate conversations, five minutes apart ― to tell me I looked “horrible!”

I rationalized that this was only a medical opinion not based on facts or my actual looks! Ha!  However, based on their concern and their considerable healthcare experience, I was compelled to visit my primary care doctor of over 20 years. I knew he would tell me that everything was okay.

Wrong! Dr. Johnson was concerned, asked me a lot of questions, and ordered bloodwork.

The following morning, he called me (usually a nurse would call) to tell me that my bloodwork was not good. He immediately sent me to an oncologist for a short consult as he wanted me to go to the emergency room for additional testing, primarily a bone marrow aspiration and biopsy.

The next morning, Wednesday, September 14^, I heard those three dreaded words . . . you have cancer, acute myeloid leukemia (AML). There are no words to describe that feeling. I knew immediately that there was a sense of urgency with my diagnosis. The next morning at 8:00 a.m., I was at Harris Hospital in downtown Fort Worth, and by noon, I was hooked up with my first round of chemo. What???

I couldn’t understand why I was getting so much attention until I understood that I had a 25-30% of surviving this type of cancer.

Five rounds of chemo and a stem cell transplant over eight long months saved my life. I am thrilled to say that on May 12, 2022, I celebrated my 16^th post-transplant birthday! YAY! 

My story didn’t end with the successful transplant. In fact, it was just beginning. So, let me share with you my life after treatment. So many fantastic, remarkable memories have occurred since my stem cell transplant.

One of my best memories came on September 12, 2006. After asking my doctor over and over and over if I could start working out, he said YES! I’m certain he cleared me because he was so tired of me asking. But I didn’t care! This was huge for me because I got back a part of my life that leukemia had taken away. Control, I hear patients talk about how important it is to feel “normal.”

Dr. Fay said to start slowly. “Your body’s reaction will determine progress.”

I did as I was told . . . sort of, kind of, I couldn’t wait to get going!

I needed validation of progress as I was working to get fit. So, in November 2006, I decided to run the Fort Worth Turkey Trot 5K. I am not going to lie to you, it was difficult. Okay, it was hard. I didn’t realize the damage chemo had done to my body.

Surprisingly, about halfway into the race, I asked myself, “Don, do you think you can run a marathon?” I am not sure where that thought  came from, however, my response was “YES!” So, after checking with my doctor, I trained for and ran the Cowtown Marathon on February 23, 2007... nine months after my stem cell transplant. My Thanksgiving Day 5K was not good, but the marathon was ugly! Oh, my heck, 26.2 miles. (“Whose idea was this?”) However, I got it done!

This gave me the confidence to do more. I had it in my mind to help others who would follow me with a blood cancer diagnosis. I wasn’t sure how to make this happen until I found Team In Training (TNT) on The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s (LLS) website one evening in March 2007. TNT was a perfect fit for me. I could train for marathons and raise money for blood cancer research. How much better could it be? Awesome!

So, I was all in with TNT! However, I didn’t get involved to run marathons. I got involved to raise money to fund blood cancer research. I got involved to help those who couldn’t help themselves.

My first TNT event was the June 2007 San Diego Rock ‘n Roll Marathon. Today, 16+ years later, I’ve run 22 marathons (four internationally), completed two triathlons, a 100-mile cycle ride (America’s Most Beautiful Bike Ride, Lake Tahoe), finished two demanding hikes (who knew hiking could be hard), and raising over $150,000 for LLS and blood cancer research.

For me, I’ve accomplished things I never dreamed possible before. I am not bragging, however, here’s what else being on the other side of cancer has meant to me.

• I’ve become an outspoken advocate for LLS and an active member of the North Texas Board of Trustees. I was honored to be the Chairman of the Board for two years.
• I’ve been involved with several LLS efforts including Light The Night (LTN), MWOY, SOY, Big D Climb, Advocacy (three-time Hill Day participant), First Connection, and more.
• I co-founded a nonprofit race (Honored Hero Run) to raise money for blood cancer research raising over $150,000 for LLS in 11 years.
• I’m the author of a book about empowering others to live their best lives, and 10% of the net proceeds go to LLS.
• I am a public speaker sharing my message of hope, encouragement, and overcoming every time I get the chance!
• I’m a blogger, podcaster, and online course developer.
• Most importantly, I’m committed every day to make a difference in the lives of others!

I am certain that I couldn’t have done any of this without the relentless efforts of LLS to find a cure for blood cancer. The research and subsequent development/fine-tuning of protocols for leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma, and other blood cancers are changing and saving lives every day.