The world works in mysterious ways, it truly does! When I first volunteered with The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's (LLS) Team In Training (TNT) program in 2015, I never in a million years thought I would be fundraising in honor of my husband Dave. I started out fundraising for my step-grandmother Margaret and his grandmother Pearl. Eventually, the list of people I ran and fundraised in honor or memory of grew to way over 20! All that time it turns out I was fundraising for Dave, too, we just didn't know it yet!
Earlier this year he was diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) after a routine physical showed he is an overachiever at producing white blood cells. One of the first things I did after his diagnosis was reach out to my LLS connections and comb the website for resources.
We're wrapping our hearts and brains around this diagnosis but are doing really well! Out of all of the emotions bubbling up, gratitude has floated to the top of our list. We are so grateful for the work of all of the researchers, staff, families, and volunteers who bring the LLS mission to light. Only a few years ago, his outlook and treatment options would have been vastly different . . . and not in a good way.
As if the CLL wasn't enough to have on our plates, almost exactly one month to the day after that diagnosis, we learned he had a rare stomach tumor called a gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST). The GIST was recently (and joyfully) evicted, and much to our surprise, the next line of treatment after surgery was a leukemia drug called Gleevec. It's designed for a different kind of leukemia than he has, so it's not a double whammy of treatment, but can you believe it? Gleevec's research was supported by LLS! If it wasn't for the CLL, we wouldn't have found the GIST fairly early. If it wasn't for Gleevec, the chances of the GIST returning would be higher. If it wasn't for LLS-supported research, Gleevec wouldn't be an option. See, the world does work in mysterious ways!
Through all the miles, training, blood, sweat, and tears over the years, while I was volunteering with Team In Training, Dave has been my biggest supporter. Now it's my turn to support him as I add caregiver to the story of my connection to LLS and as his story adds becoming a patient and survivor. We are beyond grateful for LLS and their relentless, tireless work. We are an LLS family for life! Wherever this journey takes us, I know my TNT and LTN teammates and staff will be there for us. LLS will have our backs, and the work of countless researchers, staff, and volunteers will fuel our hope. #GoTeam #LightTheNight #CancelBloodCancer #Relentless
Heather
Caregiver
