Two years Leukemia Free after second bone marrow transplant!!!

I truly did not imagine I would be able to write a post like this. Dad, has beat the odds at every turn. We know how lucky we are. We also know, many stories of AML don't go this way. I am so incredibly grateful my boys have a Granddaddy in their life to laugh with, steal cake-pops from and chase like a t-rex.

Two years ago I was painting a giant 40 foot banner to roll out on the sideway to wish dad a Merry Christmas from his hospital room on Christmas Day. Now, two years later, he's dusting off his Santa suit to come visit the boys on Christmas Eve. Truly a Christmas Miracle. 

From Dad....

Those of you that have been following my journey since October 23rd, 2019, already know the wide range of emotions our family has gone through so I won’t rehash the last 3+years. I do, however have some great news to share. I went to my Oncologist at Emory Winship Cancer Institute and he said that all my labs are within normal range and I am still in remission!! Additionally he said that patients on their 2nd bone marrow transplant that make it to 2 years (less the 28% make it to that point) rarely come out of remission. While he won’t call me cured for 3 more years he admitted that “this is something very special and should be cause for a celebration”! Needless to say we are thrilled with the news and hope you are as well.  The fact is, YOU were  one of the “3-F’s” that are the key to my success. Faith, Family and Friend’s. We're all so vital to keeping a good attitude, a sense of humor and reasonable expectation on all my procedures. 

Such as:

• Lab tech-“time for your Chemo treatment”?  ... Me- “I feel like I”m in a bad episode of the Lone Ranger and I’m “KEMO”.-SABE!
• When they rolled me into my radiation therapy and I was singing Debbie Boone’s, “You light up my life”
• When a friend (and you know who you are) sent me hair gel after radiation and I had a bald head!

My point is, I went into all these situations/procedures with the right attitude thanks to YOU, my family, my faith & medical team.  So THANK YOU for your kind words, your encouragement and your sense of humor.

I am convinced without you on Team "Chomp Cancer" I would not be writing this message today. Now pardon me while I do some back flips down Interstate-75 in Atlanta 🤣.

- Jim