8-17-07

Main Page . John's Journal (2000-2003) . CLL Information . Contact John . Seattle Cancer Care Alliance . MD Anderson

August 19, 2007

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“…I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.”

-Matthew 25:40

This is probably one of the most meaningful journal entries I have been able to share.

Praise God.

Remember this from May 6th, 2004?

At 9:00 p.m. the cells arrived. As I looked at the cells, I was just amazed at what a miracle this is. There is one person in the world that matches me perfectly and they found her. In addition, they were able to remove her cells and transport them all the way across the world to my hospital room at just the right time. So many things had to go right for my transplant to be made possible. I am so thankful for the people that register with the bone marrow donor program and I am also thankful to the thousands of people that are involved in organizing everything to make this happen. It's absolutely incredible.

The cells were given to me through an IV. Pretty much like getting blood. It takes about two hours for all the cells to infuse into my body. I just stared at those cells as they traveled through the IV into my body knowing that they were my hope for a cure. I prayed that those little cells would be able to their job. It was like sending troops off to battle. These cells have to go in and battle my weakened marrow cells (weakened from chemo and TBI), take over my immune system, and seek out and destroy any cancer cells left in my body. I pray they are able to win!

Present day…

A few weeks ago I was with my son, Kyler, at a concert put on by the group Hillsong. They are a Christian praise and worship band from Australia. Periodically they would stop singing and share words of inspiration. What struck me was their cool Australian accents. Suddenly, it dawned on me. "Hey, my bone marrow donor is from Australia." I began to think about her as the concert continued and said to myself, "I think I am finally healthy enough that I should try and contact her." I have had her contact information for almost two years, but have not been comfortable contacting her because of the status of my health. So when I got home from the concert I sat down on my computer and wrote her a letter. I placed it in the mail the next day. It was the first letter I had ever sent out of the country. Well, two nights ago I was preparing to go to bed when I decided to check my email quickly. When I opened the inbox of my email program I saw an email sent by a lady named Bronwyn. I knew immediately what it was. Excitedly, I opened the email and began to read. It was the most beautiful email or letter I had ever received. She shared how excited she was to hear from me and that she really didn’t know anything about me or how I was doing. I think it made her day to know I was healthy and to know she could contribute to saving the life of a total stranger across the world because of her willingness to donate her marrow.

As mentioned, my donor's name is Bronwyn. She is a beautiful person. She is 40 years old and has been married for 16 years. Her family lives in Rochedale, Australia. She works part time as a dental technician, but spends most of her time involved with her children’s education and their activities such as dance and swimming. She enjoys running early in the morning and was in training for her first half marathon in Brisbane when she donated her stem cells to me. She also knows karate, so I wouldn’t mess with her. Her husband, Doug is a firefighter with the Queensland Fire and Rescue Service. She has two daughters, Nicole 10, and Rachael, 7 (turned seven on the day my letter arrived).

I used the program Google Earth to see where Bronwyn lived and it was amazing to watch the satellite images go around the globe to eventually zoom in and show a satellite image of her home. Overwhelming to consider that she is on the other side of the world from me, yet she has had such a huge impact on my life.

I owe my health and life to many great medical staff, wonderful supportive friends and family, and a gracious God. However, Bronwyn is the one person that I couldn’t have survived without. If she did not make the decision to donate her marrow, I wouldn’t be alive today. She saved my life, a total stranger, and I will forever be grateful to her. She is part of me and always will be. Not just emotionally, but physically, as my blood and bone marrow are now all her. I don’t know if I’d answer if I was called 'Bronwyn', but she is part of me now and for that I am so thankful.

It is my hope and prayer that I may go to Australia one day with my family and meet her and her family. It would be an amazing experience. I will definitely be asking the Lord to provide a way. They are my newest relatives and will forever hold a very special place in my family’s hearts.

I am just so thankful for Bronwyn’s gift of life to me. I am thankful for her desire to want to make a positive difference in the lives of others. I pray that all of us will realize that the most important thing we can do with our lives is to help other people.

"A life isn’t significant except for its impact on other lives."

-Baseball Legend, Jackie Robinson

Thank you Bronwyn. You are the angel who saved my life and words

will never be able to express what you mean to my family and me.

Prayer Requests:

•Smooth transition back to my teaching job this fall and thanksgiving for my good health.

•Friends battling cancer, but living strong: Karen Gustafson, Karen Kramp, Pam Valley, Mary Fore. Actually, prayers for all the people we all know who are battling this horrible disease.

•Healing of CJ’s knee so he can play basketball during his senior year at his highest level.

•Continued healing of my friend Jeff’s shoulder and my Uncle Don’s hip that was recently replaced.

•Lord would provide the means for us to replace the roof on our home and to one day travel to Australia to meet my donor and her family.

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