Glen J. Turner

Hello family & friends! Dad was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia in February of this year.  Shortly after that, we discovered that Dad had unfavorable (the worst category) chromosomal abnormalities, such that about 1% of people in his age bracket with those abnormalities lived 5 years. Of course this was heartbreaking to find out. Despite the odds, Dad was able to achieve an initial remission after two waves of induction chemo. The second round was so hard on him, it almost killed him. 

After much searching, we spoke with others who had been diagnosed with AML but had successfully stayed in remission using alternative means of treatment.  After further research, Dad felt this was the best way for him to go. Although it did not cure the disease long term, we are all convinced it significantly improved his quality of life. His body was able to rejuvenate through these protocols to the extent that he was able to visit the West Coast and Austria this summer! Most importantly he was able to go back and lead worship at church, I know he truly treasured those moments. We believe this was all part of God's plan to allow Dad to enjoy the rest of his life.

In late August, Dad found out his counts had dropped below the normal level, and now that he was out of remission we had to find a more agressive way to fight the cancer. We found an integrative Cancer treatment center in California with excellent reviews and Dad started treatment there as soon as they allowed. By the time he arrived in California, he already had a fever and was getting sick. We did not know it at the time, but it was a fungal pneumonia taking hold of his immunocompromised body. After a little over a week of treatment at the treatment center, he had to be moved to the hospital. Things just got worse from there until Jesus took him home, where he is no longer in pain.

These last few weeks of treatment accrued a $20,000 outstanding medical bill that Mom has been left with. $10,000 to the Cancer treatment center in California, and $10,000 towards their insurance deductible. The Cancer treatment center does NOT take Mom's insurance. In lieu of flowers, we are asking that those who feel led would contribute toward paying off these medical expenses. It is the hardest thing in the world to loose a husband and a father, let alone adding debt on top of it.  On top of all of this, Mom fell asleep on the way home from teaching last night and ran into oncoming traffic!! Thank God she miraculously escaped with only some bruises and a fractured finger, but she is pretty beat up! This last week has been the hardest of our lives, but we trust that God will provide as he always has.

Thank you Friends and Family,

Grant