2/28 7:45 AM

The drive to the hospital was almost complete, I felt impressed to call my parents. My mom was doing most of the talking on their end. I broke in with, “mom, there are two things you need to know.” “1. I remain faithful and 2. I’m prepared to meet God.” “That said, I’m fighting this with hope that I will see my children married and hold my grandbabies to my chest and lean back into a Sunday afternoon communion with heaven.”

What I mean when I say that I remain faithful, I love these words, please have a look/listen/read…

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2018/10/firm-and-steadfast-in-the-faith-of-christ?lang=eng

2/28 7:00 AM

I am lying in my bed at home grateful that I got one more night in the comfort of home. I’m pondering, is there any way to pause this moment and just lay here till I’m feeling more ready to go? I soaked in 5-10 more minutes in my cozy bed. Then up at it… morning meds gather my bags for the road. Similar to a work trip I gather my carry-on of clothes and my computer bag. Unlike a work trip, I zip up Miles’ ukulele in its gig bag and put it over my shoulder. I hoping and praying that the hospital will not give me any resistance to having it and playing it in my room. With the car packed, we get the kids to school and head off to the hospital.

2/27 8:45 AM

The oncologist called, reviewed the treatment plan, confirmed the type of leukemia, Acute Myloid Leukemia (AML). The plan was to put the orders for hospital check-in ASAP. It sounded like we should be expecting a call from the hospital that morning. We called at 3:00 PM and were informed we had a check-in set for 2/28 8:00 AM. One more night with family at home before shipping off.

2/26 6:30 PM

I spent 2/23-25 in the hospital for an infection in my legs. During this stay, blood tests indicated that I needed to have a bone marrow biopsy. And they performed the bone marrow biopsy before discharging me that afternoon. The next day 2/26 I was back home and feeling particularly tired at about 5:30, I laid down to rest and quickly fell into a deep sleep. I began to stir just as my phone rang 6:30 PM, it was the oncology doctor advising me that the bone marrow biopsy showed that I have leukemia and need to begin treatments in 1-2 days. He proceeded to provide me with a high-level outline of what the treatments may entail including a high likelihood for a positive result through treatment. The Dr. ended with “I’ll call you in the morning to discuss further details.”

We began to call parents, siblings and friends to let them know and seek their advice and support. This process was a great blessing of drawing closer, strengthening bonds, sharing faith, love and feeling great peace through the process.