John is my husband of 34 years, my best friend, my partner, my love, and my hero. My hero, because over the years, I have watched him endure three bouts of skin cancer, five hernia operations, the gradual loss of hearing, and a stem cell transplant for non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma. Each time with perseverance, courage and a belief that he could handle whatever was thrown at him. And he did. And so, we did.
Last September he was diagnosed with Therapy Related MDS, ironically brought on by the transplant he received 15 years ago, the result of a mutating chromosome impacting his ability to produce red blood cells. One of his first questions was whether there was a gene for orneriness, for though we have been told his condition is currently incurable and the prognosis for survival is approximately two years, he is determined to prove the experts wrong. After all, the original lymphoma prognosis was three years and he made it for fifteen!
His determination and his persistence are remarkable, and perhaps the most critical reason he has survived so many physical challenges with a modicum of grace. I watch him as he gets chemo shots for five consecutive days each month, wait with him to hear if he might need another transfusion (we've lost count of how many now) and marvel that he can get yet another round of Neupogin shots for declining white blood cell counts with calm acceptance. The most he has ever complained is to say he is feeling like a human pin cushion. The most impatient he becomes is when he has to wait more than 15 minutes for an appointment. I can almost predict the moment I'll hear, "C'mon doc, I'm ready,"
I have always ascribed his survival to resiliency or to pure stubbornness, to that hypothetical gene for orneriness. Today we had an exchange that made me reconsider. We were driving back from an appointment with the eye doctor, because on top of everything else, John was diagnosed with macular degeneration earlier last year. The diagnosis today confirmed our observations that his eyesight is worsening, perhaps the result of the chemo, and our decision to curtail his driving, though difficult, is appropriate. I told him how much I respect him, how much I admire his inner strength. How much he inspires me to remain optimistic, to stay strong, to fight the good fight. How much he is my hero.
His response was to repeat a quote I had never heard before. "Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent." ~ Ray Kroc, the founder of MacDonald's. Persistence, determination, not stubbornness, not orneriness. I asked when he first came across the quote; he said many years ago. He had to look omnipotent up in a dictionary, but the quote has been one of the most important in his life, and consequently in ours. I asked if it has become a silent mantra. He paused and said no, he just has tried to live his life with those values at his core. And in my experience, he has.
There are many people who, over the years, have commented on my strength. I know I would not be as strong as I agree I am were he not as strong as he is. As persistent and determined as he is. He is my best friend, my partner, my love, my hero.
Thank you, Ray Kroc.
Last September he was diagnosed with Therapy Related MDS, ironically brought on by the transplant he received 15 years ago, the result of a mutating chromosome impacting his ability to produce red blood cells. One of his first questions was whether there was a gene for orneriness, for though we have been told his condition is currently incurable and the prognosis for survival is approximately two years, he is determined to prove the experts wrong. After all, the original lymphoma prognosis was three years and he made it for fifteen!
His determination and his persistence are remarkable, and perhaps the most critical reason he has survived so many physical challenges with a modicum of grace. I watch him as he gets chemo shots for five consecutive days each month, wait with him to hear if he might need another transfusion (we've lost count of how many now) and marvel that he can get yet another round of Neupogin shots for declining white blood cell counts with calm acceptance. The most he has ever complained is to say he is feeling like a human pin cushion. The most impatient he becomes is when he has to wait more than 15 minutes for an appointment. I can almost predict the moment I'll hear, "C'mon doc, I'm ready,"
I have always ascribed his survival to resiliency or to pure stubbornness, to that hypothetical gene for orneriness. Today we had an exchange that made me reconsider. We were driving back from an appointment with the eye doctor, because on top of everything else, John was diagnosed with macular degeneration earlier last year. The diagnosis today confirmed our observations that his eyesight is worsening, perhaps the result of the chemo, and our decision to curtail his driving, though difficult, is appropriate. I told him how much I respect him, how much I admire his inner strength. How much he inspires me to remain optimistic, to stay strong, to fight the good fight. How much he is my hero.
His response was to repeat a quote I had never heard before. "Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent." ~ Ray Kroc, the founder of MacDonald's. Persistence, determination, not stubbornness, not orneriness. I asked when he first came across the quote; he said many years ago. He had to look omnipotent up in a dictionary, but the quote has been one of the most important in his life, and consequently in ours. I asked if it has become a silent mantra. He paused and said no, he just has tried to live his life with those values at his core. And in my experience, he has.
There are many people who, over the years, have commented on my strength. I know I would not be as strong as I agree I am were he not as strong as he is. As persistent and determined as he is. He is my best friend, my partner, my love, my hero.
Thank you, Ray Kroc.
What a beautiful post! What a special tribute!
ReplyDeleteHe's a special guy.
DeleteYears ago you explained to me what "being present" for someone else really means. Our experience here on Earth is inevitably lonely and scary sometimes, but made less so if we have a loved one, like John has you Angie, who is able to share, and be present with us.
ReplyDeleteHe has always been here for me, too, John. Partners.
ReplyDelete