Welcome to our CaringBridge website. We are using it to keep family and friends updated in one place. We appreciate your support and words of hope and encouragement. I experienced pain in my neck around the 10th of July as well as headaches. Those symptoms disappeared by the 13th of July as I traveled to Buxton NC to fish and spend time with family and friends. It was a great few days, the water was clear and I had a blast playing in the water, watching my son and his friends catch fish and spending time with friends. While there my throat became sore. I thought It may have strep throat. I sought treatment and antibiotics. My throat improved after the first round but I felt extremely tired and spent a lot of time in bed. My neck pain returned. My wife was out of town so I felt the desire to spend quality time with my son. I took Gavin out to Dinner and a movie. We saw Spider-Man. I had to lay down in the truck prior to the movie. On Sunday, July 28th after two rounds of antibiotics and staying in bed two weekend in a row, the wife insisted I go to Riverside ER. Wow! We thought pneumonia or a stronger antibiotic, instead they suspected Leukemia. I was transported to VCU and by Monday, July 29th late afternoon Liz and I received an Acute Myleoid Leukemia diagnosis. Please know, I am a blessed man. I trust God in all things. I have wonderful friends and family. I go to an amazing church with gifted pastors and an amazing staff! Best of all, I know God is with Us and we feel his presence. On Tuesday morning, July 30th I wished my beautiful wife Happy Anniversary, we celebrated our 18 years of marriage in on the second floor in the oncology critical care unit in room 144 and there we began aggressive Chemo Therapy. I have an excellent team of health care providers at this facility! Each call and message I have received from you I believe is God using you to encourage me. My daughter came in from NY and I have spent some time with her. Please pray! Prayer is what Liz and I need. I will be at VCU 4 to 6 weeks. Thank you all so much!!!
