Inspirational Stories

My experience with lymphoma began unexpectedly in August 2016. I began experiencing back pain with a large swollen band growing diagonally across my back. Thinking it was probably muscular, I went to see my physician who ordered an MRI. Cancer had never crossed my mind when he called me that same day and said I needed to be seen very soon by an oncologist. I was dumbfounded and left with no words. After scans, bloodwork, and a number of doctors collaborating on the findings, it was determined that I had stage 4B peripheral T-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (PTCL). I took sick leave from my job and began the full regimen of CHOP-E in September 2016, finishing by April 2017. I was declared "disease-free" and went back to my job. By Memorial Day, it was determined that I was NOT, in fact, disease-free, and I proceeded to undergo in-patient chemotherapy (R-ICE), preparing the way for apheresis and an autologous stem cell transplant that occurred in late September 2017. My new birthday is now October 7, 2017!

Along with the multitude of usual chemo-related side effects, I had many complications along the way, from port replacement that eventually failed and was replaced with a pic line, to arterial blockage in my neck, to E-coli during my transplant hospital stay (which required I take an antibiotic that I am allergic to!).

Though challenged with all of these difficulties, I never felt frightened or feared that I would not survive. Call it optimism, call it denial, call it naivety, or just a strong reliance on faith, I continued the journey without dwelling on what "might" happen. I’m a planner by nature, and in my trade, with me, it was always, "Okay, Doc, let’s go! What's next?"

I often hear people say they're "blessed" ― and certainly many are, but sometimes the phrase is misused as if to say there is nothing wrong in my life. Everything is all good. But it's not just the absence of bad things in your life that makes you feel blessed. It's the realization that the good and bad times in our lives work together to bring completeness in our faith and reliance on Christ in our lives. I was surely blessed by many factors throughout my cancer journey. I had good doctors who, without ego and pride, worked with colleagues across the state to unearth my exact diagnosis and determine the best solutions for me. I always had an exceptional nursing staff who were more than trained professionals. They treated me with dignity and respect, like family, perhaps better! They were efficient and friendly, doing their utmost to help their patients feel like people who are valued, not just numbers on a medical chart. And most importantly, when faced with large medical expenses, I was blessed to have good insurance coverage. Over my 30-year career, I was fortunate enough to have built up a sick leave bank that was never depleted. I was blessed to never miss a paycheck, which is not to brag but to emphasize the importance of being dedicated to working hard and doing your life's work with diligence and integrity.

Throughout my 14-month trial, though often sickly, weakened, and tired, I never felt alone. My wife of 30 years at the time, who herself had received a lumpectomy 10 years earlier, was my rock and my loving support. My biological family and my church family covered me in prayer throughout the ordeal, reminding me of the words from James 5:16, which says, "The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results."

I'm here today, able to share my story, because of those who have nurtured me from childhood through adulthood, those who helped me to grow professionally throughout my career, and the countless numbers who have helped me to grow spiritually over my now 63 years. I'm still here because of the many hard-working and skilled doctors and nurses in the oncology field. But mostly, I think I'm still here because God isn't finished with me yet. He blessed me throughout this cancer journey, teaching and encouraging me, strengthening my faith, and breathing new life into my role as a believer and a witness for Him. That I can share my personal story with others who may have an ear to hear, this is my greatest blessing.