I have cancer. And soon, I will be a cancer survivor. More specifically I have an unknown (for now) type of Leukemia. I was diagnosed yesterday at McFarland Clinic in Ames. I haven’t felt ‘right’ for about a month. I expected it was just a bad cold I was struggling to kick, but a simple blood test determined that my blood really, really doesn’t like me. So we’re going to kill it.
There are still a lot of unknowns to what this process looks like. It’s scary, it’s sad, and there’s a deep dark bottomless hole that I will need help avoiding; but what I know for sure is that I’m ready to kick this cancers ass.
I will be spending the next 4-6 weeks (if all goes well, possible longer) on the Ames oncology floor. For those that luckily haven’t been here, it’s pretty amazing. I have a huge suite, including a separate visitor’s room with a kitchenette (including coffee pot), sleeper bed, bathroom, etc. The floor also has an outdoor balcony AND small playground. I feel very comfortable and fortunate to be here. My kids have already come to see me, and I crawled a little (a lot) further away from that deep dark hole.
My wife is the strongest, most stubborn, and most beautiful broad I know. As hard as this is for me, it is going to be 100 times harder for her; yet, I know she will find the strength to help me stray from the darkness every single day. I am confident that both of our families, and friends, will provide an excellent backbone to keep us strong during the next few months and years.
If there is a any irony in all of this, it’s that I’ve been growing my hair since I left the military (early 2019). I’ve wanted to cut it for months (because it sucks, super annoying and a maintenance nightmare), but was determined to get it to donation length. I think it’s long enough now, and I am very excited to be able to help someone else on their journey.
Cancer sucks, but so do a lot of other things: wet socks, lukewarm coffee, 1-ply; the list goes on. I’ve got a baller team of experts helping me fight this cancer, and a support system that I know will shock me. This is our journey now, you’re welcome to ride along if you’d like, we’ve got room.