Calvin and I are the best of friends, playmates, and hopeless romantics! We found each other in midlife, and we’ve decided to remain newlyweds because we can! We have the privilege of working together every day, and we really love it! Christ is the foundation for our marriage, so the adversities we have faced together made our relationship strong and stable.
Our biggest challenge to date was the year Calvin and I were married. Our wedding was on June 14, 2003. That November, I began to notice bruises on my feet and ankles. I showed them to Calvin, and he urged me to get them checked out. My primary care doctor thought it was a reaction to a sulfur antibiotic I was taking and sent me home with a steroid prescription. I developed mouth sores and became very weak. After going back and forth to this doctor for two weeks, I finally asked Calvin to take me to ER the week before Thanksgiving. I figured I’d be there for a few hours, but after a week, it was discovered that I had acute myeloid leukemia (only about 25% of adults survive this aggressive form of cancer). We were told that I couldn't go home - I would be in the hospital for two months, then I would probably need a bone marrow transplant and would have to move to Chapel Hill for six months for that process. So, as I was being transported from Presbyterian Hospital in Matthews to Presbyterian Hospital Main in downtown Charlotte, my wonderful Calvin went home to get his clothes, the iron and ironing board, the stereo system, and he moved with me into that room in the bone marrow ward. He worked half-days and spent the rest of his time with me. And God gave us crazy peace and joy.
I underwent aggressive chemotherapy, and by God’s healing power, a complete remission was achieved. I was discharged on Christmas Day (our first Christmas) - in only 33 days! I've been cancer-free ever since!
Today, we live very fulfilling lives, pursuing our passions. We are co-founders of Labor Of Love B. E. Strong, a bodywork and wellness studio in Waxhaw, NC. We help people begin again by working with the whole person - physically, emotionally, and spiritually - because they’re all connected. Calvin is a master martial artist (4th degree black belt in Taekwondo), body coach, and motivator. I’m a certified life coach and the business manager of the studio. I’m also a professional actress, vocalist, freelance writer, and motivator.
We believe that the trials of life will do one of two things - make us bitter or better. If we allow God to be our strength in the midst of our trials, our lives will be rich with the beautiful aroma of His love and grace. We will live to be givers of what we've been given...
Gezell
AML Survivor
