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The End of the Journey

I've been reluctant to post this final entry in my Journey to a Cure blog.  

My journey began in October 2008 when I was diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) during a routine physical.  Over the ensuing 14 year period, I've gone through 4 different treatment protocols and a stem cell transplant.  While I never let cancer define me, it consumed a lot of my time and energy over these 14 years.  To be honest, I rarely thought about life after cancer as it just didn't seem achievable.  Therein lies my reluctance, but I'm going to say it out loud for the first time - I'M CURED OF CANCER!

Somebody pinch me, I must be dreaming.

After my hospital stay for pneumonia in March 2022 and a case of the flu in May 2022, my health surprisingly took a positive turn in July of 2022.  During what had become a routine check up, my blood test results showed that I was starting to create my own white blood cells.  My immune system was finally coming back 18 months after my stem cell transplant!  In September, this positive trend continued with my entire blood chemistry being completely normal.  A follow up visit to MD Anderson in November showed no sign of cancer and good chimerism results - yes, I still have two sets of DNA and likely will for quite a while.

This journey would not have ended the same without my incredible support system.  My wife Connie who held my hand the entire journey.  My kids Tara and Eric who were always loving, supportive and there for me every minute.  My amazing family and friends who always gave me optimism and cheered me up.  My incredible, life saving donor Eric.  My amazing medical team who literally threw the kitchen sink at curing my cancer.

My dream is to make cancer history for everyone, just like MD Anderson's mission.





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