Hello World!

Welcome to my cancer world. It started when I was three years old when my mother’s youner sister Janie died. I was too little to understand the impact on her family. Later in life, both of my parents died of cancer in their 80s and my oldest brother Joe died of MDS, a blood cancer about 10 years ago. Sixteen years ago my wife Lorraine was diagnosed with breast cancer which led to a partial masectomy and chemotherapy. She is still in full remission,

My personal journey began when I was initially diagnosed with MDS about 9 years ago. Upon relooking at my blast count, I was rediagnosed as having acute myeloid leukemia and was told I had 6 months to live without treatment. I immediately entered the hospital at MD Anderson in Houston and started the long road toward full treatment. They started chemotherapy and decided I was a candidate for a stem cell transplant. There were no matching donors in my family, but fortunately they found a 100% matching donor from a 26-year old minister and former student at Southern Methodist University (the same university my mother attended). He had donated his stem cells earlier in honor of another student with leukemia,

They proceeded with my stem cell transplant, which involved complete isolation and ongoing chemotherapy. They basically kill you and then bring you back to life. While in isolation, I had many visitors through a plexiglass window and kept myself occurpied by playing my electric piano and walking around the room. The day of my stem cell transplant, I was accompanied by my wife, my doctor, a priest, and all of the nurses on my floor. It was truly a religious experience. As the flushed the new stem cells into my veins they held up a flashlight so that I could see the transfer, They then all prayed over me and wished me a successful and speedy recovery.

I am no 6 year in complete remission and very thankful for the staff at MD Anderson, my care-taking wife and God’s intervention.

Approximatley 3 years ago, I was diagnosed with prostate cancer and underwent 8 weeks of radiation treatment. I have remained in full remission since.

About 4 weeks ago, I was diagnosed with a malignant parotid gland tumor on the right side of my face. I had it removed 2 weeks ago and no followup treatment will be required. The incision is still healing, but there was no spread of cancer beyond the tumor.

I am very fortunate that all of my cancer experiences have been treatable and curable. God has saved me for a purpose!