Currently, Rodeo season is in full swing in Houston, TX. As I think about attending different events centered around the rodeo, I remember 1 year ago as a huge blur. It was on 3/2/22 when my oncologist recommended to me the need to go ahead and start treatment for CLL due to my White Blood Cells and Lymphocytes increasing beyond control. She gave me time to process this recommendation of a year long treatment plan with hopes of wanting me to start sooner rather than later. Also, I knew that I needed time to internalize everything and start setting up treatment dates as well as coordinate time off work for nine 5 hour long IV treatments, lab work, and MD appointments. I describe March of 2022 as a huge blur due to the fact that I really don’t remember many rodeo events attended after my doctor’s appointment that day. I do remember attending rodeo shows and concerts but can’t remember many details of the actual event. I feel as if I was doing my best to go through the motions of life all the while knowing that the journey ahead was not something anyone desires to endure.
Before the recommended treatment plan was discussed, I remember praying and begging God to heal me without treatment. My church family and other friends prayed over me as well. The last thing I wanted to do was undergo treatment. God had another plan for me and solution to my problem that far exceeds my idea of just being healed and done. As much as I believe that God can fix my situation in an instant, I do know we do not always get our prayer answered the way we want in our time frame. I firmly believe that God’s ways are higher than mine, even though I was facing medical intervention.
I can remember days of not being able to talk about my upcoming treatment, my circumstance, or counsel my patients at work about their CLL medication without just falling apart and sobbing for hours. Why me, why now? These are questions which I still don’t have all of the answers. So many others get to watch and wait for 5-10 years before facing treatment for CLL. My only choice was to trust God and trust the process. I would rest at night knowing He had a greater plan that I did not see at that moment.
Fast forward, I have completed 6 months of IV Gazyva and almost 11 months of oral Venclexta in order to retrain my immune system to work properly again. My body has responded remarkable well! I have been able to share this good news in my blog and with others which I come in contact. On my latest bloodwork a few weeks ago, CLL is pretty much undetectable. Grateful is an understatement as so many others fight much harder and do not get to see these results on earth.
Now, I am starting to see a glimpse of what I am obligated as a survivor to achieve through this journey. I know more opportunities and responsibilities will be revealed to me as time goes on. Also, I am committed to do my best to help others through sharing information and giving donations for research so that others can have an easier journey or even a cure. Life is so short for us all in the grand scheme of things that there is no reason that we should not help others on their journey of enduring hard things a little easier if possible.
“For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts higher than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:9
Praying for you