09/15/2025
As some of you know, in June of last year I was diagnosed with a rare, highly aggressive form of Lymphoma. In August of last year I began chemotherapy to try and get the cancer into remission. After the first round of treatment I ended up in the hospital for a week with an infection. After I was able to go home we found out that the PET scan I recently had also revealed that the cancer had spread into the bones of my hips. Another set back.
Since the beginning of the diagnosis I told myself that I would not allow myself to worry or become distraught over this and at that point I completely put my situation in Gods hands and was ready to accept whatever His will was for my life.
By His grace, I never became anxious as each step, each chemo treatment, and each test result came and went. (I admit it was very hard to wait for test results to see what was going on in my body after each treatment.)
The chemo treatments continued over a period of 5 months. My oncologist told me that if they could get the cancer into remission, I could possibly qualify for a bone marrow transplant. With the transplant, there would be a chance that my Lymphoma could be cured. Without the transplant, because of the aggressive nature of the cancer I would have 6-8 months to live.
Now we waited as chemo rounds continued and at the end of those 5 months, I had another bone marrow biopsy, PET and CT scans and lab work. We met with the oncologist to go over the results. To his and our amazement, despite the aggressive nature of it, the cancer was in full remission. Praise the Lord!
After an initial consultation with the transplant doctor we began the process of pursuing the bone marrow transplant. I am totally amazed at the complex process that takes place to make it happen. The first step was to locate a donor that matched my DNA as closely as possible, which takes 2-3 weeks. Then I had to go through another round of chemo to kill off any cancer cells that might be lingering behind. Then in February of 2025 I was admitted to the University of Minnesota’s Fairview Hospital for a week of pre-transplant tests which included another treatment of chemo and radiation. A donor was located in Germany and on March 6th the new bone marrow left Germany and arrived at the Minneapolis airport that evening. I received the transplant at 10 pm. (I’m simplifying things here)
Now came the critical part of waiting to see if the stem cells would graft in and replace the old cells. By the grace of God I never had the negative side effects that normally accompany a transplant. I spent the next 3 weeks in the hospital room on the 5th floor of the hospital that was isolated from the rest of the hospital due to the risk of infections because at that point my White blood cell count was basically non existent (white blood cells are what fight infections).
The procedure following a transplant is that you have to stay within 30 minutes of the hospital/clinic for the first 100 days.
We were able to stay at the Hope Lodge in Minneapolis which is basically a hotel for cancer patients run by the American Cancer Society and was free of charge (another Godsend). I was required to have a caregiver during that time 24/7 which were filled by my amazing wife, who still worked her 40 hours, and my awesome son and youngest daughter who filled the spots when my wife was working.
I spent the first two months at the lodge shuttling to the clinic, which was only two blocks away and received infusions 3 days a week. That gradually went to twice a week, then to once a week. I finally reached day 100 and was able to move back home in the middle of June of this year.
I continued going to the clinic in Minneapolis once a month for lab work and scans. I had my latest bone marrow biopsy and CT scan on Sept. 3rd and when we met with the transplant doctor on Sept. 10th, he said everything was looking fantastic and that I was CANCER FREE!!
To God be the glory for giving us such a talented team of doctors and staff and for guiding us through our journey. (I felt bad for my family for having to put up with me).
There are still possible risks stemming from the transplant but they are slight.
I have now been able to spend some time at my hobby of customizing.
