Leukemia Survivor

This website is dedicated to the people who have had the incredible courage to survive cancer. I know that everyone has their own story and experience; this is mine. I have also included some poetry and quotes that helped me survive Acute Mylogenic Leukemia.

Have you ever joked about dying in some tragic accident or about contacting a horrible disease as if you knew it couldn't happen to you? I know I have! I once even challeged God to do whatever he required with my life in order for me to come to know Him better. Of course I had no idea what that might mean for me and my family. I guess what was required was for me to face the most difficult trial in my entire life; having Leukemia.

The year of 1994 was a wonderful time for me. I had a great job and I was moving up in the world. I had been married for over fifteen years and my relationship with my beautiful wife and two daughters was as good as it had ever been. My relationship and commitment to God was wonderful and fulfilling. What more could a person ask for?

I was the kind of person that looked for challenging activities, always on the go, and pretty particular about the way things were done. I though that I had pretty much everything in my life well organized and in shape. I was self-sufficient in most ways and thought pretty highly of myself. I was also very impatient with others putting high demands on them, and I never missed a chance to show others how wonderful I was. However, all of that changed with one simple blood test.

I had been suffering with headaches for several weeks and I was physically run down as well. Thankfully my beautiful wife was able to get me in to see a specialist for blood testing. Within a few hours of them taking a sample of my blood, I had an appointment with an oncologist at our local cancer treatment center. The results of that blood test would change my life forever. it was determined that I had a very serious disease called AML or as it's technically known, Acute Mylogenous Leukemia. If this disease is not treated immediately and rigorously, the chances of longterm survival are very low.

Over the next several months I had to endure some of the most horrendous procedures including chemotherapy, radiation therapy, emergency surgery, joint replacement, narcotic dependency and all of the side effects that are associated with these kinds of treatments. I can't even begin to try and explain how it felt. I suppose you really only know if you have gone through cancer treatment personally. I have met and lost many wonderful friends along the way. Friends who touched my life in special ways and made me glad that I had the good pleasure to know them. People that have taught me what true courage looks like and that there can be incredible value in the midst of suffering.

The Lord has now allowed me to see what is most important in life, though I don't always act like it. I know that even though I've suffered, my family and friends have suffered as well. This is the kind of disease I would never wish on my worst enemy yet I'm glad for having gone through it myself. In spite of all of the pain, I have learned many important lessons and the Lord has shown me what's most valuable in life. It's not the money, it's not all the material things, it's not even good health. What is most important is to have a real and vital personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. He is the One to whom I have trusted all of my eternity with. How could I not trust Him for my every other need here on earth?

I am just over 13 years out from the Bone Marrow Transplant that saved my life. I of course, give all of the credit to the Lord. He provided me with so many wonderful physicians and caregivers and I have had many opportunities to work with others who have cancer. I now have a much greater capacity to love others in a way that I never would have had, had I never gotten this disease. However, knowing what I know now, and though I wouldn't want anyone to go through many of the things I have endured, I truly wouldn't change a thing. I rest on this truth, "And we know that all things work together for the good of those who love Him (Jesus) and have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8: 28 NIV

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